What is a primary function of using strategies while reading?

Using strategies while reading primarily serves to enhance understanding of the text. When readers engage with various reading strategies, they actively interact with the material, helping to clarify, analyze, and synthesize information. These strategies can include predicting outcomes, summarizing key points, questioning the text, and making connections to prior knowledge, all of which contribute to a deeper comprehension of the content.

In contrast, options that focus on speeding through reading, such as rapid reading techniques, may not prioritize understanding and can lead to superficial engagement with the text. Memorizing text verbatim doesn't facilitate an understanding of concepts or ideas but rather focuses solely on recall. Lastly, techniques specifically aimed at writing essays do not inherently improve reading comprehension; instead, they focus on a different skill set—writing and organization of thoughts based on reading. Thus, enhancing understanding through the use of reading strategies is a fundamental and vital objective in the reading process.