Chapter 8 Efficient Reading Breaking Through College Reading

Chapter 8: Efficient Reading Breaking Through: College Reading, 8/e by Brenda Smith © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

What is Your Reading Rate? Read “College Yearbook Photos as Indicators” in Chapter 8. v Record your starting time. v Record your finishing time. v Convert your time into seconds. v Use the time chart in Chapter 8 to determine your reading rate. v © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

How fast should you read? v 250 wpm with 70% comprehension for the average adult v 300 wpm with 70% comprehension for college students © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

How Can You Increase Your Reading Speed? Be Aggressive: v Be active. v Look for meaning. v Drive for the main idea. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Concentrate: v Focus on meaning. v Consider your purpose. v Be attentive. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Stop Regressions: v Keep your mind from wandering. v Pay attention during the first reading. v Reread only when necessary. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Avoid Vocalization: v Don’t move your lips as you read. v Use subvocalization when it is necessary for difficult material. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Expand Fixations: v Identify thought units. v Read in phrases. v Decrease fixations. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Use a Pen as a Pacer: v Set a rhythmical pace. v Move the pen from left to right. v Make a Z pattern with return sweeps. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Preview Before Reading: v Think about the title. v Look for key words and phrases. v Read the boldface and italic type. v Make predictions. v Decide what you want to learn. v Activate your schema. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Set a Time Goal: v Estimate words per page. v Calculate projected reading speed. v Pace yourself. v Make your goal realistic. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Be Flexible: v Adjust speed according to purpose. v Skim when necessary. v Slow down for difficult material. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Increasing Reading Speed Practice: v Read every day. v Practice faster reading techniques. v Be willing to try. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Points What is the average adult reading speed? v How can you improve your concentration for faster reading? v What is regression in reading? v What is subvocalization? v © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Points What are fixations? v How do you use your pen as a pacer? v How can you set pacing goals? v How does speed adjust to purpose? v © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Reading Selections v Business Reading v Psychology Reading v History Reading © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Workplace Reading Set priorities before reading. v Strive to handle a piece of paper only once. v Respond to it, discard it, or file it. v © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Types of Workplace Reading v Memos v Letters v Newsletters © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Reading Newsletters v Read selectively. v Read critically. v Note items that are highlighted or set off by numbers, bullets, boldface, or capital letters. © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Visit the Companion Website http: //www. ablongman. com/smith © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers