Page 95 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Communication Skills-II

notes
Example: A paragraph contains 120 words and was read carefully in 90 seconds, the
reading speed will be 80 words per minute (120 × 60/90). Another person who reads the same
paragraph rapidly and completes the reading in 15 seconds has the reading speed of 480 words
per minute (120 × 60/15).
On the basis of reading speed, we may classify various kinds of reading into four categories.
They are as follows:
1. Careful reading: It is the slowest kind of reading. In this kind of reading, the speed varies
between 50 to 350 words per minute. This reading is popularly used for analysis, problem
solving, proofreading and accuracy checking. The material read is retained in the memory
for a longer period.
2. Rapid reading: It is simple kind of reading where the speed will range from 300 to 600
words per minute. When the conceptual burden of the material read on the reader is light
or when the retention of material for a longer period is not required, rapid reading process
is followed.
3. Skimming: In this kind of reading, the eyes of the reader go through all the material but
usually by skipping the details. When this kind of reading is practiced by a reader, he can
read the material at rates as high as 1,500 words per minute. It is done to grasp main ideas
and to review previously read material. Usually, executives skim newspapers, journals
and magazines due to busy schedules and shortage of time.
4. Scanning: It is the fastest kind of reading where the reading speed may reach up to 3,000
words per minute. Scanning the material is being done for a finite and highly specific
purpose. In this, the purpose of reading is basically to search for particular information. A
person proficient in scanning will see little or nothing other than the information, which he
(or she) is seeking.

table 6.1: types of reading on the Basis of speed

types of reading nature of reading reading speed
Careful reading Complex reading 50 to 350 words a minute
Rapid reading Simple reading 300 to 600 words a minute
Skimming Main idea reading Up to 1500 words a minute
Scanning Search for specific facts reading Up to 3000 words a minute

6.2.2 comprehension

It is the understanding of the read material. There is more or less an inverse relationship between
reading speed and understanding of material. If the reading speed is slower, comprehension
rate will be higher. However, this may not be true always. A reader may improve his reading
speed, without compromising his ability to understand and comprehend. It is also often observed
that good and speedy readers have good comprehension ability and poor readers have poor
comprehension ability. Comprehension of a person can be tested in two ways, i.e., immediate
recall and immediate inference.

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