Approaching Difficult Texts

At some point we all are assigned texts that seem too difficult to understand. Our brains hurt. We begin to doubt our own abilities. Well, STOP and BREATHE. You can learn how to read these texts. At first only the basics of the reading may be clear to you. However, the more and more you practice, the more layers will become apparent to you. The point is: you can do it!

Throughout the entire process - before each step, after each step, during each step -

BREATHE

Steps to follow when approaching a difficult text

	Scan for basic idea and topic
	Identify key terms/ideas (nouns)
	Brainstorm connection between terms
	Read, reread text
	Simplify text: Eliminate prepositional phrases Identify subject, verb, object
	Construct meaning of text

Above all, remember to

BREATHE