Chapter - 4 (Topic - 2) Techniques of Reading

• Techniques of Reading

   Skimming and Scanning
• Non-verbal Signals
• Structure of the Text
• Structures of the Paragraph
• Punctuation
• Author‘s view point
• Summarizing

(1) Skimming and Scanning:

·      Skimming:  To read quickly, without pausing to study the details is called skim reading or skimming. In fact it is the first step for an effective reading. In skimming, we do not comprehend the paragraph. We just go through the paragraph without paying attention to the meaning. Skimming takes place at very high rate speed. Here the reader‘s aim is to decide whether he or she should read the text fully and carefully. For example: while reading a newspaper, we just go through it without entering in detail. Such kind of reading is called skimming.

·      Scanning: Scanning is a type of reading in which the reader searches for the specific information slowly and carefully. The reader turns the pages quickly where information is not significant. But once a person finds the appropriate page, he reads information on the page slowly to find a specific ideas or information.

For effective reading, both skimming and scanning are important. Scanning is soul of comprehensive reading because there we need to scan the paragraph to the answer of the question. In academic fields, scanning is very important to derive information.

(2)  Non-verbal Signals:

The meaning of text is not only conveyed by means of words. All texts also contain non-verbal signs. Non-verbal signs may include style features, such as different fonts, bold print, underlining, or italics. The meaning of these style features can vary from one text to another. In one text italics may be used to emphasize a word, in another text italics can be used for subtitles.   

(3)  Structure of the Text:

Most texts start with a title or a subtitle. After that the reader can find the introduction, the body and a conclusion or summery. The introduction mostly informs the reader about what he can expect. The body consists of paragraphs. The paragraphs are linked in a logical manner. The conclusion sums up and puts the subject matter in the right way.

(4) Structure of Paragraphs:

A typical paragraph consists of three parts. The first sentence contains the topic sentence, which is the heart of the paragraph. The second part of the paragraph contains sentences which may include arguments, explanations, details, examples, etc. The last sentence of the paragraph is a summary of the paragraph or a linking sentence to the next paragraph.

(5) Punctuation:

Punctuation is based on grammar. For example; commas are often used to separate clauses. If the reader understand the meaning and usage of punctuation marks, it will be easier to understand grammatical structures. The reader can get the idea what the writer wants to convey through punctuation. For example; if the author puts something in brackets, it means that it is an addition to the sentence.

(6) Author’s View Point:

While reading, the reader makes inference about the position of the author. Is the author neutral or he/she has an opinion? The author can add words like ‗luckily‘ and ‗unfortunately‘ to show approval or displeasure. The author can add so many words in the texts and that words convey author‘s point of views.

(7) Summarizing:

A summarization is a concise and clear statement of the sentence of a longer passage on a connected and readable shape. A summery must be accurate, clear and brief. The length of summary is about one-third of the text.

The following steps can be taken while summarizing a text:

ü  Familiarizing with the material

ü  Select important information

ü  Insert links between sentences and paragraphs

ü  Adjust the length of the summary