Reading Skills

Agenda
Objectives:
What is reading ? Aims and outcomes ? Factors that reduce reading rate Basic Conditions for increased reading rate Read SMART -SQ3R Upgrade your personal note-taking system Create ideal conditions for your reading

Why reading & writing skills

Greater self-awareness Improving general knowledge Intrinsic enjoyment/ satisfaction Adding to personal vocabulary Allowing for greater self-expression Opening up areas of future interest

Academic aims & outcomes Better marks

Passing degree
More effective gathering of information Better comparison of various points of view Improved understanding of subject area Improved ability to construct arguments by reading those of others

Career aims & outcomes

Looking more 'professional' Writing better CV's Writing effective business reports, letters and other documentation Ability to sift out pertinent information from masses of data Improved general awareness Better social skills

Factors that Reduce Reading Rate

Limited perceptual span I.e., word-by-word reading Slow perceptual reaction time Vocalization Faulty eye movement Regression Faulty habits of attention & concentration Lack of practice in reading Fear of losing comprehension Habitual slow reading The effort to remember everything rather than selectively

Basic conditions for Increased reading rate

Proper eye sight Eliminate habit of pronouncing words as you read Avoid regression Develop a wider eye-span

SQ3R Technique

Surveying

Questioning

Reading

Recalling

Reviewing

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why don't you try to... Why? Where? When? Between lectures Before/ after a workshop Quiet library times Certain times of day - eg evening for novels, earlier in the day for more demanding reading How? Look at your lecture schedule and create reading/ study slots Create routine for novels reading and looking at new journal issues in your library

Make time Because Library for your otherwise Your room reading? you may Train/ bus not allow sufficient time for it.

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why don't you try to... Take breaks in your reading?

Why?

Where?

When?

How? Get up from your chair Talk to someone Have a drink/meals Do some other non reading task Listen to some music Go for a walk Telephone a friend

Because Wherever you Ideally at a your happen to be 'natural break' concentr reading such as to ation is stretch your legs, limited. have a drink

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why don't you try to... Why? Where? Short walks Take the stairs to the cafe/ toilet Some stretching exercises can be desk-based When? Before you start reading. During reading breaks How? Get sufficient sleep Go for a walk/ swim/ cycle Do some yoga/ stretching exercises Have a cup of coffee

Oxygenate You need to your brain - be alert for wake up? demanding reading

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why don't you try to... Why? Where? When? How?

Free yourself So you read from more easily distractions? and comprehen d better

Wherever During your Depends upon your you happen reading time personal preference: to be many people prefer reading quietness. Other prefer to listen to (background) music

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why? Where? When? How? Why don't you try to... Create Learning is Various Before, Talk to others about your reading the right emotional. during, and the subject matter. mood? You'll learn after your Go to the library with friends. reading Go to a quiet 'reading room'. more if you're interested. Find out about the author's background Visit relevant places where events happened Attend exhibitions, conferences, talks

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why? Where? When? How? Why don't you try to... Various Whenever Just do If you wait for Don't say 'why?' - say it? inspiration you may you have the 'why not?' opportunity wait a long time. Often getting started is the hardest part of any studying.

Creating ideal conditions for reading

Why? Where? Why don't you try to... Take Our short term During notes? memory is limited. We lectures, need to keep records workshops, and selected reading information .We need books, to reflect back over journals our reading. When? How?

Certainly when Keep a notebook (s) researching but consider at Use your pc other times too

Summary
Use the SQ3R framework for effective studies and following results: Survey take a strategic overview of which materials to read Question ask yourself what you are curious to know or find out before you read Use various techniques to speed up your reading and comprehension Make effective notes to assist your recall of important points in your reading Review to go back over what you have read and reach conclusions