Reading Skill

Reading skill refers to the ability to understand and interpret written text. It encompasses a range of
cognitive processes that allow individuals to decode written symbols (letters, words, and sentences) and
extract meaning from the text. Reading skill involves various components, including phonemic
awareness (recognizing and manipulating individual sounds in words), phonics (connecting sounds to
letters and recognizing word patterns), vocabulary knowledge, comprehension (understanding the
meaning of the text), fluency (reading smoothly and at an appropriate pace), and critical thinking
(analyzing and evaluating the content).

Proficient reading skills involve the efficient application of these components, enabling individuals to
read with accuracy, understand complex texts, and engage in higher-order thinking. Strong reading skills
contribute to academic success across subjects, as reading is a fundamental skill for learning and
accessing information in various contexts. Moreover, reading skill is essential for lifelong learning,
personal development, and participation in society.

Major Techniques of Reading

There are several major techniques or strategies that individuals can employ to improve their reading
skills. These techniques are designed to enhance various aspects of reading, such as comprehension,
speed, vocabulary acquisition, and critical thinking. Here are some of the most commonly used
techniques:

1. Skimming and Scanning: Skimming involves quickly glancing over the text to get a general sense
of the content, while scanning involves searching for specific information or keywords. These
techniques are useful for quickly finding relevant information or determining if a text is worth
reading in detail.
2. Active Reading: This technique involves engaging with the text actively by asking questions,
making predictions, and summarizing information as you read. It helps improve comprehension
and retention of the material.
3. Chunking: Chunking involves grouping words or phrases together while reading to improve
reading fluency. Instead of reading word by word, you read groups of words or whole phrases at
a time, which can help improve reading speed.
4. Annotation: Annotating involves highlighting or underlining important information, writing
notes in the margins, or using symbols and codes to mark key ideas or passages. Annotation
promotes active reading and helps with comprehension and retention.
5. Vocabulary Building: To improve vocabulary, techniques such as using context clues (inferring
word meanings from the surrounding text), keeping a vocabulary journal, or using flashcards can
be helpful. Regular reading and exposure to a variety of texts also contribute to vocabulary
expansion.
6. Reading Aloud: Reading aloud can improve reading fluency, pronunciation, and comprehension.
It helps in developing a better understanding of sentence structures and improves overall
reading rhythm and expression.
7. Visualization: Visualizing involves creating mental images of the content while reading. This
technique enhances comprehension and engagement with the text by making it more vivid and
memorable.

Page 1 of 6
 8. Critical Reading: Critical reading involves analyzing and evaluating the text, considering the
author's arguments, evidence, and biases. It involves questioning the text, making connections
to prior knowledge, and forming your own interpretations and opinions.

These techniques are not mutually exclusive, and individuals may combine and adapt them to suit their
reading purposes and preferences. Regular practice and conscious application of these techniques can
significantly improve reading skills over time.

Skimming and Scanning

Skimming and scanning are two techniques used to quickly navigate through written text and locate
specific information without reading every word in detail. They are particularly useful when you need to
find specific details or get a general idea of the content before deciding whether to read it more
thoroughly. Here's a more detailed explanation of each technique:

Skimming: Skimming involves quickly glancing over the text to get a general overview or the main
points. The purpose of skimming is to obtain a sense of what the text is about without reading every
word. Here are the steps involved in skimming:

Read the title: The title often gives you an idea of the main topic or subject matter of the text.

Read subtitles and headings: Subtitles and headings provide an outline or organization of the text. They
give you clues about the main ideas and help you navigate through the content.

Read the first and last sentences of paragraphs: The first sentence of each paragraph often introduces
the main idea, while the last sentence may summarize or conclude it. By reading these sentences, you
can quickly grasp the main points of each paragraph.

Look for keywords and phrases: Scan for bolded or highlighted words, as they often indicate important
information. Also, pay attention to words or phrases that are repeated or emphasized.

Pay attention to visual aids: Skim charts, graphs, tables, images, and other visual aids to get a quick
understanding of the information they convey.

Ignore irrelevant details: When skimming, you can skip over less important or descriptive information
that doesn't directly contribute to the main ideas.

Skimming allows you to get an overview of the text, understand the main points, and decide whether it
is worth reading more closely.

Scanning:

Scanning is a technique used to locate specific information quickly. It involves searching the text for
particular words, phrases, or details without reading the entire passage. Here's how to effectively use
scanning:

Have a specific question or keyword in mind: Scanning works best when you have a clear purpose or
specific information you are looking for.

Page 2 of 6
Move your eyes quickly: Instead of reading every word, scan the text by moving your eyes rapidly from
left to right or top to bottom. You don't need to read every word but focus on finding the specific
information you are seeking.

Look for visual cues: Numbers, dates, names, and specific keywords are good visual cues to locate the
information you need.

Use headings and formatting: Subtitles, bullet points, bolded or italicized text, and other formatting
styles can help you locate the relevant information quickly.

Be efficient: Scan systematically, covering the text in a zigzag pattern or by following the natural flow of
the content.

Scanning allows you to locate specific information efficiently without reading the entire text. It is
particularly useful when you need to find a specific fact, answer a specific question, or gather data
quickly.

Both skimming and scanning are valuable techniques that save time and allow you to navigate through
large amounts of text effectively. By mastering these skills, you can quickly assess the relevance and
main points of a text, retrieve specific information, and make informed decisions about further reading
or research.

Intensive Reading and Extensive Reading

Intensive reading and extensive reading are two different approaches to reading that serve distinct
purposes and are often used in language learning and literature studies. Here's an explanation of each:

Intensive Reading: Intensive reading involves reading texts carefully and thoroughly, focusing on
understanding the details, language structures, and nuances of the text. It is typically done with shorter,
more complex texts such as poems, short stories, articles, or academic papers. Here are the key
characteristics of intensive reading:

 Slow and careful reading: Intensive reading requires concentration and attention to detail.
Readers often take their time to understand the meaning of each sentence and analyze the text
at a deeper level.
 Close analysis: Readers may engage in activities such as underlining or highlighting key
information, making notes, and looking up unfamiliar words or phrases. They may also annotate
the text, ask questions, and discuss their interpretations.
 Emphasis on comprehension: The main goal of intensive reading is to fully comprehend the text,
including its themes, ideas, literary devices, and language use. It helps develop analytical skills
and a deeper understanding of the author's intentions and style.
 Language study: Intensive reading is often used for language learning purposes. Learners may
focus on grammar, vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and sentence structures within the
context of the text.
 Relatively shorter texts: Intensive reading is typically applied to shorter texts to allow for in-
depth analysis and comprehension.

Page 3 of 6
Intensive reading helps improve reading comprehension, language skills, and critical thinking. It is
beneficial for studying literature, analyzing complex texts, and enhancing language proficiency.

Extensive Reading: Extensive reading involves reading larger quantities of texts for general
understanding and enjoyment, with the focus on overall comprehension rather than detailed analysis. It
involves reading longer texts such as novels, newspapers, magazines, or online articles. Here are the key
characteristics of extensive reading:

 Fast and fluent reading: Extensive reading promotes reading at a comfortable and natural pace,
without pausing for every detail or unknown word. The emphasis is on the flow of reading and
maintaining a sense of the overall meaning.
 General understanding: Instead of analyzing every aspect of the text, extensive reading aims to
grasp the main ideas, plot, and themes. It involves reading for pleasure, information, or personal
interest.
 Contextual understanding: Readers rely on the context to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words
or phrases, rather than looking them up in a dictionary. The focus is on understanding the text
as a whole, rather than on individual language elements.
 Larger quantities of texts: Extensive reading involves reading a wide range of materials and
building a reading habit. The quantity of reading is prioritized over depth of analysis.
 Less focus on language study: While extensive reading can still enhance language skills, the main
goal is to develop reading fluency, expand vocabulary, and improve overall reading
comprehension.

Extensive reading helps develop reading fluency, speed, and a broader understanding of different topics
and genres. It encourages a love for reading and exposure to a wide range of texts.

Both intensive reading and extensive reading have their own benefits and purposes. Intensive reading is
suitable for close analysis, language study, and in-depth comprehension, while extensive reading
promotes reading fluency, enjoyment, and broad exposure to various texts. A balanced approach that
combines both types of reading can lead to overall improvement in reading skills and language
proficiency.

The SQ3R Technique

The SQ3R technique is a widely recognized and effective method for active reading and studying. It
provides a structured approach to reading and comprehension, particularly for academic or
informational texts. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. Let's delve into each
step in detail:

Survey:

Before diving into the text, surveying involves quickly previewing the material to get an overview of its
structure, headings, subheadings, and visual elements. Here's how to conduct the survey step:

Read the title: The title gives you a clue about the topic or main idea of the text.

Skim through the headings and subheadings: This helps you understand the organization of the text and
the main points covered.

Page 4 of 6
Glance at any visuals: Pay attention to charts, diagrams, illustrations, or graphs, as they can provide
additional information or clarify concepts.

Read the introduction and conclusion: These sections often contain summaries or key points that give
you an understanding of what the text covers.

The purpose of surveying is to provide a mental framework and context for the upcoming reading.

Question:

After surveying the text, formulate questions based on the headings, subheadings, and your existing
knowledge. The questions should be specific and aimed at helping you actively engage with the text.
Here's how to approach the question step:

Convert headings into questions: Transform the headings and subheadings into questions that capture
the main points they represent.

Create additional questions: Think about what you want to learn or understand from the text and
generate related questions.

Write down the questions: Document your questions to keep them in focus while reading.

By formulating questions, you set a purpose for reading and actively seek answers as you proceed.

Read:

This step involves reading the text carefully and actively, keeping your questions in mind. Here are some
strategies to optimize your reading:

Read in chunks: Break the text into manageable sections and read them one at a time. Pause after each
section to ensure comprehension.

Take notes: Jot down key points, important details, and any answers to the questions you formulated.

Highlight or underline: Mark significant information that stands out, such as key terms, definitions, or
examples.

Focus on comprehension: Strive to understand the meaning, main ideas, and supporting details. Pay
attention to the author's arguments, evidence, and logic.

Review difficult sections: If you encounter challenging paragraphs or concepts, reread them or consult
additional resources for clarification.

The goal of this step is to actively engage with the text, comprehend the content, and gather
information that addresses your questions.

Recite:

Reciting involves verbalizing or summarizing the information you've read in your own words. By
expressing the key ideas aloud or in writing, you reinforce your understanding and retention of the
material. Here's what to do:

Summarize each section: After reading a section, briefly summarize the main points or ideas.

Page 5 of 6
Use your own words: Express the information in a way that makes sense to you, avoiding copying from
the text verbatim.

Answer your questions: Refer to the questions you formulated earlier and attempt to answer them
based on your understanding of the text.

Reciting helps reinforce your understanding, identify areas where you might need further clarification,
and solidify your knowledge of the material.

Review:

The final step of the SQ3R technique is reviewing the text and your notes to consolidate your learning
and enhance long-term retention. Here's what to do:

Go back to the text: Skim through the headings, subheadings, and any highlighted or underlined
material to refresh your memory.

Review your questions and answers: Check if your questions have been answered and review your
responses for accuracy and completeness.

Reflect on the material: Think about the main concepts, connections, and implications of the
information you've learned.

Summarize again: Create a final summary of the text or write a brief summary paragraph that captures
the key points.

Reviewing solidifies your understanding, reinforces learning, and helps you retain the information for
longer periods.

The SQ3R technique provides a systematic and active approach to reading, enhancing comprehension,
engagement, and retention of information. By following these steps, you become an active participant in
the reading process, actively seeking answers, and processing information effectively.

Page 6 of 6