Final answer:
The best strategy for identifying important information while reading is to highlight key points. Using margin notes and a reading journal enhances this process, encouraging active engagement with the text and a deeper critical analysis. Pay attention to word choice and literary devices for a rich understanding of the material.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best strategy to make it easier to decide what is important while reading is a) Highlighting key points. Highlighting or underlining allows you to identify critical information rapidly. However, it should not be your only strategy. Taking margin notes and using a reading journal are also effective methods for engaging actively with a text. Writing summarizing notes or jotting down your reaction to the text helps cement your understanding and makes for a more interactive reading experience. This process enhances comprehension and memorization and aids in developing a deeper critical analysis of the materials.
While reading, it is important to avoid passive reading, which is simply moving your eyes across the page without understanding the content. Active reading involves taking notes, looking up unfamiliar words, asking questions, and grasping the author's arguments. Doing so enables you to put the author's ideas into your own words and think of them as arguments rather than just facts.
When engaging with literature, paying attention to word choice, literary devices like metaphors and imagery, and distinctive language features is paramount. These elements aid in character development and enrich the narrative. Therefore, assume every word is important and always seek to understand the text's broader context and purpose.