What should you do if you encounter a difficult passage in an unfamiliar text?

Reading a difficult passage multiple times and annotating it as needed allows for a deeper understanding of the text. By revisiting the material, you can pick up nuances, context, and details that might have been missed during the initial reading. Annotation serves as a useful tool to jot down thoughts, questions, and connections, which can clarify meaning and enhance comprehension.

Engaging directly with the text through rereading deepens your interaction with the material, enabling you to grapple with complex ideas or challenging language. This method encourages critical thinking, allowing you to analyze the passage effectively and draw your own conclusions. In unfamiliar texts, developing this skill is essential to improve overall literacy and comprehension.

While consulting outside sources or asking for interpretations might provide insights, they do not replace the value of personal engagement with the text itself. Skipping over difficult passages or relying solely on external help can lead to missed opportunities to strengthen your analytical skills and deepen your understanding of the author’s intent and message.