Reading Skills Focus

How to read and listen for gist.

Those who read a text or listen to a talk often try to remember everything and as a result, remeber nothing.

So they usually fail to recognize the main points of the speaker or a writer is making.

Here is some general advice on how to get the main points of what you are reading or listening to:

Bear in mind the answer to this question: 'What are the speaker's or writer's main point?

Don't get distracted by details.

If you can identify the main points, the supporting details will often easily spring to mind.

If it helps, make brief notes. These do not need to be in complete sentences, but they should be legible: if you can't read them, you can't use them!