How can previewing a text facilitate better comprehension?

Previewing a text is a valuable strategy that enhances comprehension by familiarizing readers with the structure and main ideas before they engage in a detailed reading. When students preview, they typically look at headings, subheadings, images, and summaries, which helps them build a mental framework for understanding the content. This prior knowledge allows readers to better anticipate the information they will encounter, make connections with what they already know, and organize their thoughts as they read. As a result, they can grasp the main ideas more effectively and follow the author’s arguments or narrative throughout the text. This foundational understanding is crucial for deeper comprehension and retention of the material.