HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR READING SKILLS & STYLES
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The document outlines the reasons for reading, such as gaining knowledge, enjoyment, and improving vocabulary. It describes four reading skills: skimming for the main idea, scanning for specific information, extensive reading for general understanding, and intensive reading for detailed comprehension. Each skill is illustrated with examples to help readers apply them effectively.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR READING SKILLS & STYLES
- 1. WHY DO WE READ? • GAIN KNOWLEDGE • AMUSEMENT OR ENJOYMENT • FOR INFORMATION • TO SHARE AND DELIVER A SPEECH • TO IMPROVE VOCABULARY https://www.shrutisoftskills.com 1
- 2. Understanding Different Reading Skills Four types of reading skills used in every language: • Skimming - used to understand the "gist" or main idea • Scanning - used to find a particular piece of information • Extensive Reading - used for pleasure and general understanding • Intensive Reading - accurate reading for detailed understanding https://www.shrutisoftskills.com 2
- 3. Skimming • Skimming is used to quickly gather the most important information, or 'gist'. Run your eyes over the text, noting important information. Use skimming to quickly get up to speed on a current business situation. It's not essential to understand each word when skimming. Examples of Skimming: • See whether a magazine article will be worth reading • Read through a new recipe/ read quickly through a text to gain an overview of its content • The Newspaper (quickly to get the general news of the day) • Magazines (quickly to discover which articles you would like to read in more detail) • Business and Travel Brochures (quickly to get informed) • Revise your syllabus (for a particular subject) • To know the general meaning of a passage • To know how the passage is organized, that is, the structure of the text • To get an idea of the intention of the writer https://www.shrutisoftskills.com 3
- 4. Scanning • Scanning is used to find a particular piece of information. Run your eyes over the text looking for the specific piece of information you need. Use scanning on schedules, meeting plans, etc. in order to find the specific details you require. If you see words or phrases that you don't understand, don't worry when scanning. • Examples of Scanning • Look up the meaning of a word in a dictionary • Check particular details of an incident reported in a newspaper article • The "What's on TV" section of your newspaper. • Scanning is a quick reading, focusing on locating specific information such as a name, date, symbol, formula, or phrase. Involves quick eye movements, not necessarily linear in fashion, in which • The eyes wander until the piece of information is found. • A train / airplane schedule • A conference guide • Searching for a specific answer on text book • This lesson plan focusing on scanning reading skills can be of help in practicing these skills on your own or in printed out for in-class use. https://www.shrutisoftskills.com 4
- 5. Extensive reading • Extensive reading is used to obtain a general understanding of a subject and includes reading longer texts for pleasure, as well as business books. Do not worry if you understand each word. Examples of Extensive Reading • The latest marketing strategy book • To carry out a general understanding of text • A novel you read before going to bed • Magazine articles that interest you • This lesson focusing on improving vocabulary through extensive reading can be of help putting these skills into practice. https://www.shrutisoftskills.com 5
- 6. Intensive reading • Intensive reading is used on shorter texts in order to extract specific information. It includes very close accurate reading for detail. Use intensive reading skills to grasp the details of a specific situation. In this case, it is important that you understand each word, number or fact. Make Predictions - Predictions encourage active reading Examples of Intensive Reading • A book keeping report • Read a novel • Read a text thoroughly to understand and remember what you’ve read • An insurance claim • A contract / Agreement https://www.shrutisoftskills.com 6