GST111-LESSON THREE (3)

READING SKILLS (Comprehension Strategies)

Reading & Speed Levels

Reading skills generally applies to the ability for anyone engaging in this activity to encode written
information and establish comprehension in the process. Reading speed is the rate at which a person
reads written text (printed or electronic) in a specific unit of time. Reading speed is generally calculated
by the number of words read per minute. Reading speed is determined by a number of factors, including
a reader's purpose and level of expertise as well as the relative difficulty of the text.

Skimming & Scanning

These are reading techniques that use rapid eye movement and keywords to move quickly through text
for slightly different purposes. Skimming is reading rapidly in order to get a general overview of the
material. Scanning is reading rapidly in order to find specific facts.

Skimming can save you hours of laborious reading. However, it is not always the most appropriate way
to read. It is very useful as a preview to a more detailed reading or when reviewing a selection heavy in
content. But when you skim, you may miss important points or overlook the finer shadings of meaning,
for which rapid reading or perhaps even study reading may be necessary

Skimming is used for overviewing your textbook chapters or to review for a test. Use skimming to decide
if you need to read something at all. When you skim, prepare yourself to move rapidly through the
pages. You will not read every word; you will pay special attention to typographical cues-headings,
boldface and italic type, indenting, bulleted and numbered lists. You will be alert for key words and
phrases, the names of people and places, dates, nouns, and unfamiliar words. In general follow these
steps:

Scanning on the other hand, also uses keywords and organizational cues. But while the goal of skimming
is a bird's-eye view of the material, the goal of scanning is to locate and swoop down on particular facts.
Facts may be buried within long text passages that have relatively little else to do with your topic or
claim.

Skim this material first to decide if it is likely to contain the facts you need. Don't forget to scan tables of
contents, summaries, indexes, headings, and typographical cues. To make sense of lists and tables, skim
them first to understand how they are organized: alphabetical, chronological, or most-to-least, for
example. If after skimming you decide the material will be useful, go ahead and scan:
Mnemonic Devices

This reading technique is so called based on the fact that it enhances the recalling ability of memories
and vital information. In other words it helps with fact retention. With you will get to become an active
learner when you sort information in a way you can remember. Mnemonic tools allow you to recall large
amounts of information that would be incredibly difficult to remember. With the you’re able to also
quickly retrieve information from your long-term memory.

Type of Mnemonic Devices

1. The 3S3R and SQ3R

While 3S3R is a reading comprehension method that represents scan, study and speed, SQ3R stands for
survey, question, read, recite, and review.

2.. Acronyms and acrostics

An acronym is a word created from the first letter of a group of words or names. For instance: HOMES is
an acronym for the five Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. An acronym doesn’t
even need to be a “real” word — as long as it sounds like one. For instance, many government agencies
use acronyms, such as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) or NASA (National Aeronautics and
Space Administration).

An acrostic is a similar mnemonic device, but it can be a sentence or a whole phrase instead of just one
word. For example, you’ve likely used a phrase similar to “My Very Educated Mother Just Sent Us Nine
Pizzas” to help you remember the nine planets and their order in our solar system: Mercury, Venus,p
Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

3. Association

Association is a fairly easy technique to help you remember new information. The idea behind it is that
it’s easier to remember new information when you link it to something you already know well. For
example, if you have a new co-worker named Todd and an uncle with the same name, you could
imagine your co-worker with glasses, a mustache, and a pencil behind his ear — like your uncle Todd —
to help you remember your co-worker’s name.

4. Chunking

Chunking is a mnemonic device in which you break down information into bite-sized “chunks.” Two
common examples of chunking are phone numbers and Social Security numbers. Most people divide
both of these long numbers into three sections. Chunking allows the brain to memorize more
information than usual. Chunking comes in handy when memorizing random items, such as a password.
For instance, trying to memorize P3850tf21 would be quite difficult. But if you break it down: P38-50-
tf21, it becomes a lot easier.

5. Method of loci
The method of loci — sometimes called the “memory palace technique” — involves remembering items
based on their physical locations. This recalling method is normally used subconsciously.

According to legend, the Greek poet Simonides of Ceos temporarily excused himself from a large
banquet to speak with someone outside. Soon after he left, a disaster ensued, and the entire structure
collapsed on everyone inside. The scene was chaotic, and even family members could not identify the
bodies.

However, once the debris was cleared, Simonides was able to help identify the dead correctly because
he remembered exactly where each person had been sitting. This story is commonly retold as an
example of how to recall large groups of items.

6. Songs and rhymes

Songs and rhymes are very effective mnemonic devices. Most young children are taught to remember
the entire alphabet — 26 random letters in a row — by reciting it in a simple rhyming tune. Songs and
rhymes work for adults as well. Just think of how easily you sing along when an old song comes on the
radio

Reading Habits

1. Head movement

This is when a reader moves his head from side to side while reading; such movement can slow down
reading speed and should be avoided. Since the only muscles that are necessary for reading are the eye
muscles. Other movements i.e the head, could be regarded as wasting time and energy.

2.Pointing at words

Following the line with your finger or with a pen, a ruler etc is another bad habit which can slow you
down. This is because when you begin to point individual words, you may not be able to take in a whole
phrase or sentence.

3. Vocalization

This is when you begin to say the words of what you are reading to yourself or when you move your lips.
Such reading habits don’t only slow down your reading speed but it also affects the rate of
comprehension.

Efficient Reading

This involves helpful skills that aid the comprehension process while reading. Imagination while reading
is one key ability that plays a key role in enhancing comprehension. From the power of different genres
to the development of empathy and emotional intelligence, the benefits of reading for our imaginations
are truly limitless. When we read, we are transported to different worlds and experiences, allowing us to
see things from different perspectives.

Purpose determination is also vital while reading as this helps you to stay focused while you avoid
collecting too many unnecessary notes and information. The purpose of your reading is guided by your
thesis, research questions, and essay outline, so it is helpful to review these prior to reading a source.

Plan your reading approach: you can read key texts first, read general before specific works, read more
recent texts before older ones, or read texts grouped by a particular argument