Final answer:
Pretending to understand difficult material before actually comprehending it may not be the best approach for true learning. Engaging with the text through active reading, multiple reviews, and critical thinking, as well as utilizing strategies like consulting teachers and note-taking, leads to a more robust understanding suitable for explaining to others.
Step-by-step explanation:
To explain difficult material effectively, the statement that one should pretend to understand it and then explain it to someone else (or even to oneself) is a technique that is debated. While it might work as a starting exercise to get the initial flow of explanation going, understanding the material is critical for a true explanation. Experts, after all, often read complex passages multiple times until the content becomes clear to them.
Engaging in passive reading is to be avoided. It places the reader in a position where they may finish a passage without genuine comprehension. This method of reading fails to build the necessary connections with other material and leads to a superficial understanding at best. Therefore, active engagement and a thorough analysis are essential for true learning.
Understanding varies from person to person, and certain strategies are encouraged to aid comprehension. Methods include identifying unknown concepts, asking questions, making predictions, and seeking authoritative consultation for clarification. Comprehension ultimately feeds into critical analysis and helps solidify understanding, making the process of explaining concepts to others or oneself much more meaningful and accurate.
In the context of academics, reading assignments should ideally be done twice: before and after they are discussed in the classroom. This double exposure, alongside note-taking and highlighting, ensures better retention and comprehension. Additionally, open communication with teachers, practicing without over-exerting oneself, and reviewing material with a critical eye are ways in which students can improve their grasp of complex topics and material.