READING SKILLS Reading skills include Vocabulary skills Visual
READING SKILLS
� � � � Reading skills include Vocabulary skills Visual perceptual skills Prediction techniques Scanning Skimming Intensive reading skills
1. Vocabulary skills Very important to develop reading skills It involves 1. Word meaning recognition 2. Guessing the meaning of unknown words from word structure and context
1. 1 Word meaning recognition A. first step to understand the written message � Perceive the words & phrases used � develop � sight recognition skill Recognize their definitions recall their meanings � Do not stop reading � Do not immediately consult the dictionary � Guess the meaning �
1. 2 Guessing the meaning of unknown words from word structure and context While reading journals/ sport manuals some words may be difficult to comprehend a. Analysis of word structure understand from the use of prefix/suffix/root word � Eg. Interurban � Inter+ urban � b. Analysis of context clues Eg. Illustrations � Linguistic clues �
Common prefixes � � � � a/an/ill/dis- not Im/un Anti -against Bi - two, twice De - away Ex-former Hetro –different Homo-similar Inter-between Intra -within Mis- wrong Micro-small Mono-one � � � � � Multi-many Over-more Post-after Pseudo-false Pro-in support of Re- repeat Semi-half Sub-under Super-above Trans-across
Common suffixes � � � Able, ible- able to, can be done Ance, ence, tion-state of being Ant, ent- person Al, ly- similar to (legal, mental) Cy, cracy-condition (diplomacy) Er, or- person, degree ( writer, doctor, hotter) Ess- feminine (waitress, tigress) Ify- make, do Ful-full of Less-not Ship-being
Analysis of context clues � Look for contextual signal words � illustrations � Linguistic clues Eg: He is down-to-earth and you will find his approach to life very practical (helps in inferring the meaning)
Egs. Although she is loquacious, she remains silent before her father She is discourteous, and you will never find him polite to other people. He is very………, while his wife is scruffy.
2. Eye Reading &Visual perceptual skills � � For effective eye reading one needs Accurate visual perception of words &phrase Fixations Complete elimination of vocalization � � do not read aloud as it reduces our speed Fix your eye on a particular word etc. Read word groups/thought unit Do not read word by word
� � Avoid vocalization or sub vocalization Improve visual perception of words etc. Rapidly recognize the meaning Concentrate while reading
3. Prediction technique Rapid reading skill � read fast � To guess the information � To think ahead -hypothesis
Predicting the contents � Headings � Sub headings � One’s back ground knowledge of � subject � graph � diagram � charts
Involves micro skills � Use of index � guess the information � Scan graphic / non-verbal clues � Predict the nature &scope � Use discourse linguistic clues Involves pre-reading survey of the text a. b. c. d. Glancing rapidly Guessing information Recalling related information Analysing the aids given These make reading faster
4. Scanning skills The technique you use when you're looking up a name in the phone book: you move your eye quickly over the page to find particular words or phrases that are relevant to the task you're doing.
It's useful to scan parts of texts to see if they're going to be useful to you: � the introduction or preface of a book � the first or last paragraphs of chapters � the concluding chapter of a book. � Specific point of fact � Relevant graphic details � Formulae in text � A word in dictionary � Train/ television schedules � References/bibliographical listings � Examination results
Suggestions to improve reading skills � � � Know what you want to find Do not read everything (focused, concentrate on information needed) Use guides and aids Know the organisation structure of the material (Ads, news paper listings, analyse how information is structured) Concentrate while scanning (improves visual perception an to identify the information)
5. Skimming skills � The technique you use when you're going through a newspaper or magazine: you read quickly to get the main points, and skip over the detail. .
It's useful to skim: � To understand the central idea/main points � To discover the purpose of the text � To identify different writing patterns used to develop ideas in text � to preview a passage before you read it in detail � to refresh your understand of a passage after you've read it in detail. � Use skimming when you're trying to decide if a book in the library or bookshop is right for you
Skimming should answer the following questions What is the over all purpose of the text? � What is the central idea? � What is the logical orgnisation? [ general to specific; specific to general; chronological; more important to less important or vice versa and so on] � What does the author intend to say � (describe, instruct, report, narrate, explain, argue, persuade, illustrate and so on…) � What are the main points? �
5. 1 Identifying central idea Identify � What is the subject? � What does the author want to say about the subject? � What is the author’s point of view? Care fully read � the title/main heading/sub-headings/opening paragraph/last paragraph
5. 2 recognising main ideas � � � � Once central idea is identified process to recognize main ideas to expand the central idea Identify the topic sentence the discourse coherence Text organizations Meaning function of sentence patterns accurately Semantic/discourse markers and their function
Topic sentence � � � Each paragraph deal with one main idea and that is the topic sentence (beginning paragraph) Topic sentence summarizes the paragraph it may be Generalized statement Description, problem, The other sentences develop, support, exemplify the central idea
5. 2 Identifying writing patterns While skimming discover the specific writing patterns: � Definitions � Description � Sequence of events � Generalisation � Classification � Illustration of examples � Causes and effect � Comparison &contrast
6. Intensive reading skills � � � Intensive Reading: Intensive reading is detailed reading that demands better concentration and motivation. Intensive reading skill include distinguish between facts and opinions, and drawing inferences and conclusions. a) Detailed Reading: Intensive reading requires text analysis for critical and evaluative understanding of a text. b) Critical Reading: Distinguishing between facts and opinions with critical and analyse the information in a text. c) Inferential Reading: It is the process of knowing the unknown from the known. Inference can be defined as a statement that is based on some situations, observations, facts, or specific details.
Micro skills of intensive reading � � � � A. understanding major & minor details B. distinguishing between factual &non-factual information Understanding the characteristics of a writer’s use of language Interpreting graphic information Evaluating writer’s attitude/intention Responding to more plain sense of words distinguishing between explicit &implicit information Drawing inferences &conclusions
6. 1 Distinguishing between facts &opinions To be effective one must be critical and have analytical skill –understanding the text and as well respond � What is Fact? � Fact is truth that can be objectively verified by observation and experimentation What is opinion? Opinion is subjective and it can not be objectively verified One must be discern the truth �
Differences between facts &opinions FACTS 1. India is an agricultural country Several Multinational companies have been opened up in India � � OPINIONS India is a great country The coming of multinational companies have boosted the economy of India
Drawing inferences & conclusions � � � An inference can be defined as a statement that is based on some situations, observations, facts or specific details. Drawing inference is the knowing the unknown from the known. All theories and laws of science have gone through the process of induction, which is an important method of drawing inferences. Induction is reasoning process of drawing general statement from specific observations. Inferences and conclusions can be drawn from the following; Facts Specific details Examples and illustrations Factual observations Contextual clues
Examples We may find that it is easier to pull down than to do certain amount of work by exerting small forces through large distances, rather than large forces through small distances. We can, therefore, perform certain tasks more easily in some ways than in others.
- Slides: 30
