Page 152 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 7: Reading Skills

Read Selectively Notes
Read to find the answers to your question. By reading the first sentence of each paragraph you
may well get the answers. Sometimes the text will ‘list’ the answers by saying “The first point.
... Secondly ....” and so on. And in some cases, you may have to read each paragraph carefully just
to understand the next one, and to find the focus or main idea buried in it. In general, look for the
ideas, information, evidence, etc., that will meet your purpose.
Recite
Without looking at the book, recite the answers to the question, using your own words as much
as possible. If you cannot do it reasonably well, look over that section again.
Reduce-Record
Make a brief outline of the question and your answers. The answers should be in key words or
phrases, not long sentences.

Example: “Effects of 100 Yrs’ War? – consolidate.” Or, “Unions on Wages? – Uncertain,
maybe 10-15%”.
Reflect

Recent work in cognitive psychology indicates that comprehension and retention are increased
when you ‘elaborate’ new information. This is to reflect on it, to turn it this way and that, to
compare and make categories, to relate one part with another, to connect it with your other
knowledge and personal experience, and in general to organize and reorganize it. This may be
done in your mind’s eye, and sometimes on paper. Sometimes you will at this point elaborate
the outline of step 6, and perhaps reorganize it into a standard outline, a hierarchy, a table, a
flow diagram, a map, or even a ‘doodle’. Then you go through the same process, steps 3 to 7, with
the next section, and so on.
Review

Survey your ‘reduced’ notes of the paper or chapter to see them as a whole. This may suggest
some kind of overall organization that pulls it all together. Then recite, using the questions or
other cues as starters or stimuli for recall. This latter kind of recitation can be carried out in a few
minutes, and should be done every week or two with important material.

7.7 Executive Reading

The executives in an organization have to read a variety of things, ranging from letters,
applications, proposals, reports, annual budgets, reference books, bills, vouchers, financial
statements, project reports and so on. They spend a major time on these activities, so to be
efficient in their work; they would need to devise a strategy which will allow them to spend
appropriate time on each of these reading materials, depending upon the priority assigned to
them.
An approximate framework for executives is given below, though the actual strategy may differ
as per the situation and importance of the material.

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