Page 154 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 7: Reading Skills

Thinking Notes
If the reader wants to retain reading material, he must think about it. If one applies the mind
with regard to significance of reading material, its relationship with one’s knowledge, utility
for future reference etc., will automatically contribute to his retention. Linking the read material
with some personal experiences and persons, helps retain the same.

Reinforcing
Reinforcement means to concretize in the mind, what has been read and learnt. This improves
retention ability. A few tips for reinforcement are as follows:

1. Brief notes should be prepared and periodical reviews of such notes should be done.
2. After reading, the speaker should speak to someone and explain in his own words, what
he has learnt.

3. For improving the quality of repetitive input, the materials read should be supplemented
by audio-visuals, lectures, discussions, etc.
4. The read information should be related with other material and should not be considered
as an end only.
Ensuring Determination
It is rightly said, “Where there is a will there is a way.” A final set of procedures for retention
involves the commitment to retain knowledge. While reading, an individual may get a lot of
information; but he will keep only that piece of information, which he intends to retain. If an
individual does not have the will to retain, retention is impossible.

Case Study Skeleton Lady

his story begins not too long ago and not far away. Just to the north of here there is
a country where it is Winter for 7 long moths of the year. Now this particular
TWinter had gone on much longer than usual and the people were beginning to run
out of food and firewood. Inside one small house right out in the barren snowlands an old
lady was beginning to get anxious. (Now you have to put on old lady and old man voices,
get anxious and rub your hands a lot as if cold). "Oh, my husband I am so cold and hungry.
Look at me my hands are blue! I am going to die I am sure of it."
"Don't worry my darling, Winter will be over soon, we will have food again" But the old
lady looked very ill and continued to get anxious. Eventually the old man agreed, "Very
well my darling I will go and search for food. But before I go you must promise me one
thing. You must not use the last two logs we have for the fire, we will need them to cook
the food on when I return"

"Okay, okay I agree just go, please find food"
With that the old man went out in search of food.
Time passed and the old man did not return, the fire was beginning to get lower and
lower.

Contd...

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