Final answer:
To transition from experience to understanding in reading, one must develop critical thinking skills, a solid knowledge base, and engage in critical analysis. Understanding context, and applying reasoning also play key roles in achieving deeper comprehension of texts, whether in literature, history, or other subjects.
Step-by-step explanation:
To read on a deeper level and shift from experience to understanding, you must acquire critical thinking skills and a comprehensive knowledge base. This includes understanding the context surrounding the material, familiarizing yourself with relevant terms and concepts, and knowing the rules that govern the genre you are engaging with. For instance, grasping the Emancipation Proclamation fully requires knowledge of the Civil War and the practice of enslavement. Likewise, understanding a biology textbook's chapter on photosynthesis necessitates knowledge of plants, cell structure, or chemical reactions.
Beyond comprehension, which involves proactive strategies such as looking up unknown words and taking meaningful notes, you also need to engage in critical analysis and evaluation to develop insights and connections between different pieces of information. Reading closely, annotating, analyzing, and reflecting are integral parts of reading deeply for understanding. Establishing some distance from the text and asking the right questions can yield greater understanding and insights into human interactions and moral standards.
It is also essential to use reasoning when engaging with texts, as this goes beyond the sensory experience and delves into abstract thinking for true understanding. The skills needed to interpret texts, such as identifying nuances or hidden meanings in poetry, are developed over time and enhance the thorough comprehension of narratives. Thus, close attention to texts not only enlarges our understanding but also deepens our appreciation of life.