Page 146 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 7: Reading Skills

if the material is not clear, the movement should be broken and a dictionary will be Notes
referred to.
8. If one reads the material at a slower pace, the need for extensive reading and regression
will be eliminated. Hence, it is advisable to read slowly for greater reading efficiency.
Quick and Silent Reading
It is not true that the best comprehension will be at the lowest speed. Hence, quick reading will
not reduce the comprehension and reading efficiency. Silent reading will be faster than oral
reading speed. In case of oral reading, the throat, muscles, tongue and lips work and movement
of the reader consume more time. When the matter is read silently, the reader forgets about
pronunciations, movements and the use of vocal sounds.

Preview and Review of Material
Preview is the act of taking a prior view of the work and review means to take a look after the
work is over. Both preview and review help in increasing reading efficiency. If one’s reading
requires comprehension and retention of relatively difficult material, one should preview it
through scanning or skimming before initiating careful reading. This will facilitate the reader
for better understanding and reading efficiency. In the same way, review of careful reading
material helps the reader to reinforce learning and get back to key points that were hazy earlier.

Read in Logical Block or Words
If a reader gets greater opportunity to read the material which is divided in logical phrases, he
can read efficiently. In such materials, the reader gets the advantage of seeing several words in
one eye span of fixation. If the reading material contains a series of unrelated words divided by
commas, the reading efficiency will be lower. For better reading efficiency, reading material is
to be read in logical blocks of words.
Read Just enough to Capture Thoughts
For reading efficiency, the reader should practice skipping letters, syllables and words.
A concerted effort is to be made by the reader to read those passages where knowingly some
letters, syllables and words have been removed. This will improve his ability to fill in the
logical gaps.
Improvement of Capability to Understand Symbols
Reading includes seeing symbols, transferring them to the brain and giving meaning to the
received symbols. A few important points in this regard are as follows:
1. The meaning of symbol may vary in different contexts.
2. For viewing symbols, previous related experiences may be used for understanding the
meaning.
3. For expanding the ability to understand symbols, more extensive reading is required.
4. Other kinds of communication skills, like listening, speaking, writing and observing may
also be used to improve the capability to establish meanings.
5. Word lists, glossaries of terms and dictionaries are also used as aids to learning.
Underline and Take Notes Randomly

Exercise use of pencils for underlining and taking continuous notes disturbs the momentum of
the reading process. The mind should fully be used in comprehending directly from the pages of
a book. Skeleton summary notes and underlining should be done simply to minimize regression
and post-review of reading. It is also advised that pen or pencil should not be kept in the hand

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 139