Final answer:
Before reading, students should survey headings, charts, and graphs to understand the structure and main ideas of a text. This enhances comprehension and engagement, and helps prepare students for class discussions and exams.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before reading, students should survey headings, charts, and graphs included in any text. This initial overview helps to get a sense of the chapter or section's content and structure, making it easier to understand the material when you start reading in-depth. Surveying these elements can also prompt questions in the student's mind, which may be answered in the text or stimulate curiosity and engagement during reading.
For example, when encountering a new graph, try to interpret what it presents before diving into the related text. This not only helps to reinforce key concepts but also enhances comprehension as you connect visual data to written information. Similarly, reviewing headings can help you draft a mental outline of the topics that will be covered. Charts often summarize important information, so give them a glance to anticipate key points.
As you use these strategies along with thorough reading, including taking notes or highlighting, students will be better prepared for class discussions and exams. Creating concise outlines based on the main ideas from these elements and comparing with classmates can enhance study habits and solidify understanding. Finally, engaging with the text by completing exercises, including those that test and extend knowledge, will ensure a deeper understanding of the material.