How does summarizing impact a reader’s comprehension?

Summarizing plays a significant role in enhancing a reader's comprehension by distilling the essential information from a text. When readers summarize, they engage in the process of identifying and articulating the main ideas and key details, which helps clarify and reinforce their understanding of the material. This cognitive engagement requires active processing of the information rather than passive reading, leading to deeper comprehension.

By focusing on the most critical components of the text, summarizing enables readers to consolidate their knowledge and make connections between concepts. This practice also aids in retention as it encourages the organization of information in a way that is easier to recall later. Through summarizing, readers can effectively construct a mental framework of the text, which can serve as a guide for future reference or application. In this way, summarizing is a vital strategy for improving understanding and retention in reading comprehension.