What does it mean to set a purpose for reading?

Setting a purpose for reading involves establishing a specific reason or goal for comprehension. This process encourages readers to think critically about why they are engaging with a text and what information or understanding they hope to gain from it. When readers have a clear purpose, they are more likely to pay attention to key ideas, make connections to prior knowledge, and retain information more effectively.

For instance, if a student is reading a science article with the purpose of gathering information for a project, they will focus on key concepts and details relevant to their topic, thus enhancing their comprehension and retention of the material. Having a defined purpose also helps guide reader engagement and improves the overall reading experience, as it aligns their efforts with a specific outcome.