1.1 The Jigsaw Technique
Read a book like a jigsaw puzzle! This technique aims to improve reading ability by enhancing reading comprehension. It can be used at all educational stages, from early years to university level (Mansur, 2019; Ayu, Rianti and Asilestari, 2021; Myhill, 2022). Here is how it works:
Step 1: Preview the picture
Just like with a jigsaw puzzle, you start by looking at the picture on the box lid to get an overview. Without this preview, completing the puzzle would be much harder. Flick through the book, article or lecture slides, and focus on getting the boundaries of the information.
Step 2: Skim through the book
Get a ‘preview’ of your book (or article, lecture slides, etc.) by skimming through from front to back. Your aim here is to get a feel for the boundaries of the contents.
This quick overview helps you read more efficiently and understand the material better.
Step 3: Find the corners and edges
When doing a puzzle, it’s best to look for the corner pieces and straight edges first, then fill in the rest. Similarly, when reading, identify the main ideas and key points before diving into the details. For instance, read the introduction and go straight to the conclusion or summary.
Look at diagrams, graphs, contents, chapter headings and the index. Highlight the headings and subheadings (it helps to break up the text) and read them aloud. This is like putting the corner pieces of your jigsaw in place.
Highlight the first sentence of every paragraph in another colour, and read them aloud. These sentences should tell you the topic/subject of that paragraph (don’t read any more than that for now). Now you’re putting the straight edges of your jigsaw in place.
Step 4: Piece it all together
Look for more detail if/when you need it – this is like filling in the jigsaw! Now, just like assembling a puzzle, you can start connecting the pieces of information. Use your brain to make connections and build a complete understanding of the text.
At this stage, you have gone through the material several times without reading it in detail. But you have a very good idea about the contents and the layout and where you’ll need to focus your reading, so it will be easier to pick out the core messages and slot in the details.