© 2004 pearson education, inc., publishing as longman publishers chapter 18: improving reading rate...
TRANSCRIPT
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Chapter 18: Improving Reading Rate and Learning to Skim and Scan
College Reading and Study Skills,
Ninth Edition
by Kathleen T. McWhorter
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Objectives:This chapter will show you how to adjust
your reading rate and reading technique to suit both the material you are reading and your purpose for reading it.
You will also learn how to skim and scan.
LEARNING PRINCIPLE: Successful students read and learn selectively.
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How to Build Your Reading Rate
Avoid Roadblocks to Reading Efficiency Moving Your Head Moving Your Lips Keeping Your Place on the Line
Preread to Familiarize Yourself with the Material
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How to Build Your Reading Rate
Try to Eliminate Regressions Be aware of regressions and force yourself
to continue. Use an index card and slide it down the
page as you read.
Read in Meaning Clusters
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How to Build Your Reading Rate
Learn to Pace Yourself Use an index card. Use your hand or index finger, or a pen or
pencil. Use a timer or clock.
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
How to Build Your Reading Rate
Use Rereading to Build Speed Select an article. Time yourself and compute your speed. Take a five-minute break. Time yourself again. Pick a new selection and try the process
again.
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Adjusting your reading rate in response to the material and to your purpose for reading is called reading flexibility.
See Figure 18.1 for types of reading.
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Developing Reading FlexibilityChoose a good place to read.Preread the material.Define your purpose for reading.Decide what rate is appropriate.After the first page, stop and evaluate
your rate and understanding.
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You Don’t Have to Read Everything IF
A high level of comprehension is not needed.
You are searching for specific information.You are familiar with what you are reading.The material does not match your purpose
in reading.The writer’s style allows you to skip
information (portions).
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Skimming TechniquesPreread skimming: to get ready to read.Skim-reading: the only coverage you
will be giving the material.Review skimming: going back over the
material for a review.
Skimming is the process of reading only main ideas within
a passage and glancing at the remainder of the material.
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How to Skim-ReadRead the title.Read the introduction.Read headings and subheadings.Notice pictures, diagrams, charts.Read the first sentence of each
paragraph.
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How to Skim-Read
Glance at the remainder of the paragraph. Notice italicized or boldfaced words. Look for lists of ideas. Look for unusual or striking features, such
as a series of dates, capitalized words, or large-figure numbers.
Read the summary or last paragraph.
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Scanning involves looking for a particular piece of information such as in a telephone book, index, or television listing.
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Scanning TechniquesState in your mind the information and
try to form it into a question.Anticipate what key words the answer
will appear in.Determine the organization of the
material.Use headings to identify or find the
information you are looking for.
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Scanning TechniquesSelectively read and skip through
sections to find the information.When you reach the fact you are
looking for, notice it immediately.Carefully read the sentences around
which the fact appears to confirm your information.
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Summary QuestionsWhat techniques can be used to
improve overall reading rate?What factors influence reading
flexibility? Is it always necessary to read every
word on a page? Why?
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Summary QuestionsWhen should I read selectively?What is skimming and when do you use
it?What is scanning and when do you use
it?
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Take a Reading Road Trip!
Take a trip to the INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY and visit the Reading Rate module on your CD-ROM.