Final answer:
Improving receptive vocabulary and understanding the rules of genre are key to reading comprehension in college. Identifying and understanding significant words, especially those highlighted or with strong connotations, and having context for the material, such as historical or technical background knowledge, are essential strategies for engaging with unfamiliar texts.
Step-by-step explanation:
To enhance comprehension and critical analysis of texts in college, students need to develop a strong receptive vocabulary. This involves recognizing and understanding words that are critical to the text's meaning, which is a fundamental part of reading. When encountering unfamiliar texts on new subjects, it is important to identify words that are given special attention, such as those in bold italics, which may be linked to resources like Wikipedia for further exploration.
Analyzing word choice or diction is also crucial. Words that appear repeatedly or convey strong connotations should be noted as they might be key to understanding recurring themes within the text. Emphasizing the importance of each word encourages a deeper engagement with the reading material.
Beyond vocabulary, background knowledge of the subject matter provides context for new terms and ideas. Understanding the rules that govern the genre is another aspect essential for comprehension. For example, it would be difficult to fully grasp the Emancipation Proclamation without knowing the historical context of the Civil War, just as it would be challenging to understand a biology textbook chapter on photosynthesis without prior knowledge of plants and cell structures. Engaging with texts with a critical eye and predictive strategies is an important skill for college-level reading.