Active Reading vs Passive Reading

Table of Contents

Do you know the two verses you encounter in reading? Active reading and Passive reading. If you are a regular reader, you should have encountered any of these terms by now, but if you didn’t, today, we are going to cover everything about active and passive reading in detail. So, if you’re a beginner to this, let us tell you what these terms are. These two terms, active reading, and passive reading, are just two different styles of reading. Let us discuss both of them one by one.

What is Passive Reading?

Passive reading means reading something, skimming through the text while not fully engaging with the text. This happens when the reader doesn’t critically think about what he is reading, or when someone has little time to read, or they are reading while listening to music or something else. This isn’t a bad thing in itself. Some genres like romance, erotica, mystery, young adult, and certain types of fantasy or sci-fi are best read this way. There is no reason to read them so closely because they were never meant to be taken this seriously.

Characteristics of Passive Reading

Minimal Effort: You need minimal effort when it comes to passive reading. It has little to do with questioning and note-taking and that’s why you can’t remember this for long.

Lack of Engagement: Reading without critically analyzing the content is good, but it is fine with some genres not for all types of topics. Passive readers usually have a lack of engagement when it comes to reading.

Lower Retention: If you are a passive reader, the information you read will be easily forgotten as you have paid not too much attention while reading…It is mostly just for fun, or when you have your attention elsewhere.

Easily Distracted: If you are a passive reader then you might have heard it somewhere else. Passive readers get easily distracted because they have difficulty maintaining focus for long.

Downsides of Passive Reading:

It has Lower Comprehension and Retention.
Difficulty Recalling Important Details.
Limited ability to apply knowledge effectively.
Less engagement with the material.

What is Active Reading?

Active reading is an interactive approach that involves deep engagement with the text. Active (and close) reading means the reader is engaging with the text. My honors professor at my first college said to have a conversation with the text. While reading, respond to passages with questions and note answers if they’re found. Write down thoughts and opinions about the text while reading. Make sure to understand what’s going on. Follow a critical thinking process.

So the main difference is the level of engagement and how you criticize the concepts mentioned in the book by comparing them to something you already knew. By active reading, you are absorbing the information you are presented with and thus able to apply it moving forward.

How to read Actively

When reading chapters in a textbook start by reading all the questions before the argument so you can get an overview of what the key information are you supposed to be looking for.
When you can, read a paragraph two to three times so you could be able to grasp anything of importance that you may have missed in the first go-through.
Underline anything that you cannot seem to understand it can be a concept, idea or a reference that you might not be familiar with. This will help you cement the information in your brain and avoid any misinformation that you’ve been trying to understand from the concept.
Pay attention to headers and subheaders, as they may give you an overview of what the paragraph is about. Further, you can jot down the paragraph and take notes of some points this usually helps you when you are trying to write a summary or research paper.
As you read through a text, highlight the important sections or points that you think might come in handy in the future. So, you can always get back to them for easy and accurate information.
As you read, take notes of what you are reading. Highlight any points that you think are important in the topic. Use simple short points to note the information so you don’t have to go through a lot of text when you want to refer to your writing notes. You can take notes both on your computer and diary.

Characteristics of Active Reading

Questioning: Asking questions about the material while reading.
Annotating: Highlighting key points and making notes.
Summarizing: Rewriting content in your own words to improve understanding.
Connecting: Relating information to prior knowledge.
Engaging in Discussions: Talking about the material with others to reinforce learning.

Benefits of Active Reading

It Improves your reading comprehension and retention.
It improves your critical thinking skills.
It Increases your focus and engagement in the reading.
It helps in applying your knowledge effectively.

Active Reading vs Passive Reading

Feature	Active Reading	Passive Reading
Engagement	High – Reader interacts with the text	Low – The reader simply reads without deep thinking
Comprehension	Strong – Better understanding and retention	Weak – Less likely to remember details
Critical Thinking	Encouraged – Reader questions and analyzes	Limited – Minimal questioning or analysis
Note-Taking	Common – Highlighting and summarizing key points	Rare – Little to no interaction with the text
Application	Easy – Can apply knowledge in discussions or writing	Difficult – Struggles to use information effectively

Active reading using the SQ3R Method

The American Psychological Association describes the SQ3R method as a study technique rooted in cognitive psychology research, designed to enhance reading comprehension and retention (APA, 2020). The acronym SQ3R represents the five key steps of the reading process: Survey, Question, Read, Remember, and Review. This approach is effective for both first-time reading and revisiting previously studied material. According to Marbella International University Centre, Francis P. Robinson, a notable American educational psychologist, introduced the SQ3R method in his 1946 book Effective Study (Marbella IUC, 2020).

Survey: Quickly skim the text to grasp the main idea, paying close attention to headings and subheadings.

Question: Consider the purpose of your reading—whether for an assignment or general understanding. Ask key questions such as: Who? What? Where? When? How?

Read: Engage with the text actively, maintaining focus and reading at a steady pace. Take breaks between lengthy sections to improve concentration and retention.

Remember: Test your recall without worrying about perfection. Use flashcards, collaborate with a peer, or create digital flashcards on Quizlet to reinforce your memory.

Review: Revisit the text with greater attention to detail, taking notes and summarizing key concepts. Paraphrasing content in a clear, concise manner demonstrates a strong understanding of the material.

Working on Your Reading with the SQ4R Method

According to Weber State University, the SQ4R method introduces an additional step to enhance reading, memorization, and application. Below are several optional “R” steps you can incorporate to deepen your understanding and retention of the material.

Relate and Reflect: Strengthen your grasp of concepts by forming personal connections to the material. As you read each chapter or section, link new ideas to what you already know. Consider how the information applies to your life to make it more meaningful and memorable.

Rewrite: Summarize the content into clear, concise notes by rewriting and paraphrasing key points. Ensure your notes capture the essential details and compare them against the original text for accuracy. Including page numbers in your notes can help you quickly locate information when needed.

Record: Capture key information through audio recordings, bookmark important passages in audiobooks, or use sticky tabs in physical texts. Create a list of crucial terms and concepts, noting page numbers and corresponding notes, making it easier to review essential material while studying.

Repeat and Read Aloud: Similar to recording, reading aloud can significantly boost comprehension and memory. Research by the University of Waterloo (2017) supports the “production effect,” which suggests that speaking words aloud enhances long-term retention more than silent reading (Neurobehavioral Associates, 2018). A study involving 95 participants found that reading aloud provided the greatest memory benefit compared to listening or silent reading. Try reading important passages aloud and following along with your recordings to reinforce key concepts.

Respond: Engage actively with the material by writing answers to questions as you read. Note additional questions and answers in the margins or your study notes. When reviewing for a test, verify your responses and reference page numbers where applicable to ensure accuracy.

So Is there any end to this, Active Reading vs Passive Reading?

In conclusion, there is no passive reading vs active reading, it is just based on the level of engagement the reader has with the book. One is not better than the other it just depends on what you want. If you want to read fiction just for fun, you are a passive reader but if you are studying something academic taking notes and things then you are an active reader.