“Chunking” is a reading strategy that involves breaking up a long page of text into smaller parts. This helps you to process information in small bites. When reading online text, try a free digital reading window (also called a reading ruler) to isolate text and boost reading comprehension.
You can try the free Line Focus tool in Immersive Reader built into Microsoft applications (use your free Microsoft account). When enabled, the Line Focus tool will keep a single line, or if you prefer a few lines of text, in focus and darken the remainder of the screen.
By design, you are in control of moving the reading window through the page of text. Therefore, you can take your time comprehending and processing the information line by line or section by section.
Also, keep offline solutions in your environment when reading paper materials or when technology is unavailable (no battery power or lost WiFi connection). For example, have a physical reading window/reading guide or paper cutout to create a focus area.
The benefits of a digital reading window/reading ruler:
- Improves focus and concentration
- Boosts reading comprehension
- Reduces overwhelm
- Boosts reading accuracy by removing distractions
Microsoft: Line Focus
Word Online
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Select the View tab.
- Click Immersive Reader.
- Press the Reading Preferences (book icon).
- Enable Line Focus.
- Choose to show 1 line of text, or 3 lines, or 5 lines.
- Press the up or down arrow to advance to the next line or go back to the previous line.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original formatting of the document.
Outlook Online
- Open a message in Outlook Online.
- Select the View tab.
- Click Immersive Reader.
- Press the Reading Preferences (book icon).
- Enable Line Focus.
- Choose to show 1 line of text, or 3 lines, or 5 lines.
- Press the up or down arrow to advance to the next line or go back to the previous line.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original formatting of the message.
Edge web browser
- Open a web page with mostly text.
- In the address bar at the top, click Immersive Reader (book icon).
- Press the Reading Preferences button.
- Enable Line Focus.
- Choose to show 1 line of text, or 3 lines, or 5 lines.
- Press the up or down arrow to advance to the next line or go back to the previous line.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original web page.
Microsoft Support article: Use Line focus in Immersive Reader for Office for the web and OneNote
Tip: Immersive Reader is available in the following free Microsoft applications: Word Online, OneNote Online, Outlook Online, Microsoft Teams, Edge web browser, and the Microsoft Lens app. Read the article Where is Immersive Reader.
Google: Line focus tool extension in the web browser
Google Docs does not have a built-in line digital reading window. Nevertheless, you have the option of installing a third party extension to your web browser. See the next section.
Free Reading Window Extensions
To isolate text on a web page, use a reading window extension. Extensions are available for both the Chrome web browser and the Edge web browser. Each of the web browsers can be installed on either Mac or Windows computers.
Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
Microsoft Support instructions: Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge
MagicScroll Web Reader – Includes an underline tool, like a reading ruler, to help keep your place in the text.
Reading Ruler – Simple reading ruler that highlights a single line of text as you read online. Use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to navigate through the page. Reading Ruler is a free web browser extension.
Visor – A web browser extension that uses color overlays and a point of focus feature. Visor can be used to chunk text. Use your mouse cursor or mouse scroll wheel to navigate through the page. Free.
Additional reading comprehension strategies
Explore 5 more reading comprehension strategies and technology tools that help with focus, identifying key concepts and, most importantly, understanding and remembering the information.
- Highlight key information with a digital highlighter
- Insert comments to restate and remember the main concepts
- Create an outline of the reading material
- Use a graphic organizers to make connections
- Try a summary tool or text simplification tool
Resources
These resources are provided to create awareness of other reading window/reading ruler tools. It is a curated list of web browser extensions in alphabetical order.
Subscription reading window tools
Helperbird – The Dyslexia Ruler tool in Helperbird provides a digital ruler/colored line to follow which could be used to chunk text. Free trial period.
Kurzweil 3000 – Kurzweil 3000 includes a Reading Ruler for chunking text. Free trial period.
Read&Write – The Screen Masking tool in Read&Write creates a strip or ruler to provide focus to one area of the screen while darkening the rest. Free 30 day trial.
Snap&Read – Snap&Read includes a Reading Line Guide to promote focusing on small portions of text at a time. Free trial period.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these extensions as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
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