GMAT

Sub Topics

How to Determine The Number of Main Ideas in a Text Reading Strategies Using Visualization Close Reading vs Big Picture Reading Strategies Interpreting Literary Meaning How to Use Text to Guide Your Interpretation What is Inference How to Infer Intended Meaning Understanding Figurative Language in Poetry Inferring Mood in Poetry How to Draw Conclusions From a Passage Identifying an Author's Underlying Assumptions Constructing Meaning With Context Clues Prior Knowledge Word Structure Tone vs Mood Interpreting Meaning in Prose What Are Connotation And Denotation Definitions Examples How to Compare And Contrast Elements of a Passage Effective Summaries of a Paragraph or Passage How to Use Context to Determine The Meaning of Words How to Pass a Reading Comprehension Test

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GMAT: What Are Literary Motifs Definition Examples
Reading Strategies Using Visualization

In this lesson, we will define visualization. We will then discuss why this step is important, how we can visualize, and when you should visualize. Finally, we will look at a sample from a poem and practice visualizing.

Reading Strategies Using Visualization

Let's Imagine

Take a minute to imagine a holiday scene. Something that is a fond memory or a story that you share often with others. Maybe it is a Christmas morning, a Memorial Day picnic, a Thanksgiving feast, or a night of mischief at Halloween. As you are picturing your memory, think about the people who were there. What were they wearing? What conversations took place? What food did you eat? What did you smell? Recalling and sharing memories is one way to practice visualization. We can use these same practices as a reading strategy.

What Is Visualization?

Visualization is creating pictures in our mind as we read. It becomes an important way to comprehend our reading material. When you visualize, you should think about the smells, sounds, tastes, sights, and even

the feelings. You can think about it as making a movie of the material as you read it.

Why is it important?

Visualization brings the reading to life. First, it makes it easier for us to understand the text because we are looking beyond the words and creating images. Through the images, we are able to recall the material much easier. Second, it helps you feel more connected to the material. You are able to see the characters and their actions and feel as if you are a part of the scene. Finally, it creates a more personal experience and even links you with the story. By imagining the characters and the setting, you are becoming more involved in the story.

How do I visualize?

When you visualize, remember that you are making the passage into a movie. So, you will want to be sure to consider all five senses, as well as any other details the author includes. When reading a passage, create a picture in your mind of the scene. Then, begin to add in the characters, the smells, the tastes, and what the character may be touching. Use the author's details to do so, but you can also use your own imagination - however you think you could best remember the scene

When do I visualize?

You should visualize before, during, and after reading. Before reading, look at the title, skim the material, and note any pictures or graphs. Try to put an image in your mind of what you think the story will be about. During reading, begin to play the movie in your mind. After reading, review the material that you read by recalling the scenes you have created.

Let's Practice

Visualization can take place in any type of writing. We can visualize short stories, novels, plays, and poems. For this exercise, we will try a poem. The following is an excerpt from T.S. Eliot's poem Preludes. As we read, be sure to visualize the poem:

'The winter evening settles down With smells of steaks in passageways.
Six o'clock.
The burnt out ends of smoky days. And now a gusty shower wraps the grimy scraps Of withered leaves about your feet
And newspapers from vacant lots;' What did you see?
How did you picture the winter evening night? Was the sun going down? Was the weather gray? The wind cool?
What smells did you identify? The smells of food, smoke in the air, the winter air, or even the smell of the leaves that had withered.
What did you hear?
What would the end of the day sound like? People rushing home or maybe a quiet street? Was the wind loud? Did you hear the newspapers as they blew by?
What did you taste?
Did you imagine what the smoke would taste like? Or the steak? Even the taste of a cool night?
What did you feel?
As the speaker walked home, did you feel the tiredness at the end of a day? What about the feelings of winter? Did you feel that leaves and newspapers rustle against you?