Lec 3

GEN 900 Communications & Presentation Skills
Lecture 3: Reading Skills

Dr. Wael Taha
Reading Skills: Introduction
Reading is the process of constructing meaning from written texts. It is a complex
communicative process of receiving and interpreting the written words.
Reading is the process of constructing meaning through the interaction between the reader’s
existing knowledge and the information suggested by the text being read.
Reading brings us in contact with the minds of great authors, with the written account of
their experiences.
Reading skills differ from one person to another, and hence the ability to gain information
by reading differs from one to another.
Importance of Reading
Educational researchers have found that there is a strong correlation between reading and
academic success.
Your reading skill is a very critical factor responsible for increasing your ability to learn and
master large volumes of information. Thus, your ability to read fast gives you an edge over
others by making it possible for you to go through several documents quickly.
Reading build self-esteem – The more you read, the more knowledgeable you become. With
more knowledge comes confidence and confidence builds self-esteem.
Reading is a source of happiness and reduced boredom of an individual.

Types of Reading Skills
Types of reading skills include
- Scanning: Scanning involves reading the text quickly in search of a particular piece of
information.
- Skimming: Skimming is the act of briefly reading a text to determine whether or not it
will be useful.
- Intensive reading: Intensive reading means reading detailed information when the goal is
to deeply comprehend the subject matter.
- Extensive Reading (Light reading): Extensive reading is another strategy that is
frequently employed when people read for leisure with the goal of comprehending the
complete meaning. It may necessitate a lot of skimming, such as skipping boring or
inappropriate portions.
- Word by word reading
This type of reading is time consuming and demands a high level of concentration. Some
material is not readily understood and so requires a slow and careful analytical read such as
with reading scientific papers. It can take up to an hour just to read a few lines of text.
Types of Reading Skills
Types of reading skills include
- Reading to study: A method of reading for study is called SQ3R, the aim is to understand
the material in some depth. The method involves five simple steps; Survey, Question, Read,
Recall and Review.
Survey: skim through to gain an overview and note key points.

Question: devise questions you hope the text will answer.
Read: slowly and carefully.
Recall: from memory, write down the main points made by the chapter.
Review: revisit your questions - compare these to your recall and establish how well the
text has answered them; fill in any gaps by further reading and note-taking.
- Proofreading: proofreading is also a reading technique that is implemented to find

typographical errors in the given text.
Effective Skimming
How to survey effectively (effective skimming)
- Read the Title and Subtitles (Table of Contents): This will give you a sense of the main
topic and the organization of the text.
- Read the First and Last Paragraphs: The introductory and concluding paragraphs often
contain the main idea and summary of the text.
- Scan for Keywords
- Pay attention to Bold or Italicized Text
- Read the First Sentence of each paragraph.
- Look at Lists, Bullet Points, and Tables.
- Ignore details.
- Look at the Pictures, Charts, and Graphs.
Effective Reading (PSQ5R System)
There is a method which can make your study reading more effective- the PSQ5R method.
PSQ5R stands for Purpose, Survey, Question; the five “Rs” are Read selectively, Recite,
Reduce/Record, Reflect, and Review.
Step 1: P - Purpose: This involves setting a clear goal before starting to read. What do you
want to get out of it? When you have accomplished your purpose, stop reading.
Step 2: S - Survey: This step involves getting an overview of the material before diving
into the details. It includes looking at titles, subtitles, keywords, introductions, and
summaries.
Step 3: Q - Questions: Activate prior knowledge and turn the headings into questions, to
which you will be seeking the answers when you read. Asking questions continually from
the title and headings helps the reader to get the proper mental position for reading.
5R’s:
Step 4: Read Selectively:
Read the chapter selectively rather than word-for-word. Focus on the sections that directly
relate to your purpose and the questions you’ve raised.
Maintain a good reading speed to keep your mind engaged.
Step 5: Recite: After reading a section of the text, try to recite what you’ve just read. This
doesn’t mean you have to repeat it word for word, but rather, summarize the main points in
your own words. This helps to reinforce the information in your memory and ensures that
you’ve understood what you’ve read. Reciting involves speaking aloud the written words.
This practice reinforces comprehension and helps establish connections between different
senses. Hearing the words reinforces memory and understanding.
Step 6: Reduce-Record: After reciting, try to reduce the information to concise notes or an
outline. This could be in the form of bullet points or diagrams. The key is to record the
information in a way that makes sense to you and aids in your understanding and recall of
the material.
5R’s:
Step 7: Reflect: Take some time to think about what you’ve just read. Reflect on what
you’ve read. Compare and contrast the information with your existing knowledge. Consider
how it fits into the bigger picture.
This step allows you to process the material on a deeper level. Sometimes you will at this
point elaborate the outline of step 6, and perhaps reorganize it into a standard outline, a
table, or a flow diagram. Then you go through the same process, steps 3 to 7, with the next
section, and so on.
Step 8: Review: The last stage in the reading strategy is to review the previous steps. Skim
through headings, answer your formulated questions, recite your notes, and reflect on the
content. 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.
Barriers for Effective Reading
Vocabulary Challenges: Unfamiliar words or complex vocabulary can impede
understanding. Improving vocabulary skills through regular reading and word exploration
can help overcome this barrier.
Lack of Prior Knowledge: Limited background knowledge on a topic can make it

challenging to understand and engage with the material. Building a foundation of
knowledge before reading can enhance comprehension.
Limited Concentration: External distractions or internal factors, such as fatigue or lack of

focus, can hinder reading effectiveness. Creating a conducive reading environment and
managing personal factors can improve concentration.
Reading Speed: Reading too slowly or too quickly can impact comprehension. Striking a
balance and adjusting reading speed based on the material's complexity is crucial for
effective reading.
Barriers for Effective Reading
Ineffective Reading Techniques: Using inefficient reading strategies or not employing active
reading techniques, such as highlighting, note-taking, or summarizing, can hinder understanding
and retention.
Lack of Motivation: A disinterest in the subject matter can result in a lack of motivation to
read. Finding ways to make the material personally relevant or interesting can enhance
motivation.
Identifying these barriers and implementing strategies to overcome them can significantly
improve one's reading effectiveness. Adjusting reading habits, enhancing skills, and maintaining
a positive attitude toward reading can contribute to a more successful reading experience.
For Further Reading
What are the differences between active and passive reading?

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GEN 900 Communications & Presentation Skills

Lecture 3: Reading Skills

Reading is a source of happiness and reduced boredom of an individual.

Survey: skim through to gain an overview and note key points.

- Proofreading: proofreading is also a reading technique that is implemented to find

Lack of Prior Knowledge: Limited background knowledge on a topic can make it

Limited Concentration: External distractions or internal factors, such as fatigue or lack of

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