Sunday, May 24, 2009

How to Get Reading Easily


To make reading become easily for us,we need to know the strategy.There are various strategies or ways to get reading easily .


Easier - There are different styles of reading for different situations. The technique you choose will depend on the purpose for reading. For example, you might be reading for enjoyment, information, or to complete a task. If you are exploring or reviewing, you might skim a document. If you're searching for information, you might scan for a particular word. To get detailed information, you might use a technique such as SQ4R . You need to adjust your reading speed and technique depending on your purpose.



Many people consider skimming and scanning search techniques rather than reading strategies. However when reading large volumes of information, they may be more practical than reading. For example, you might be searching for specific information, looking for clues, or reviewing information.

Harder - Web pages, novels, textbooks, manuals, magazines, newspapers, and mail are just a few of the things that people read every day. Effective and efficient readers learn to use many styles of reading for different purposes. Skimming, scanning, and critical reading are different styles of reading and information processing.



Skimming is used to quickly identify the main ideas of a text. When you read the newspaper, you're probably not reading it word-by-word, instead you're scanning the text. Skimming is done at a speed three to four times faster than normal reading. People often skim when they have lots of material to read in a limited amount of time. Use skimming when you want to see if an article may be of interest in your research.



There are many strategies that can be used when skimming. Some people read the first and last paragraphs using headings, summarizes and other organizers as they move down the page or screen. You might read the title, subtitles, subheading, and illustrations. Consider reading the first sentence of each paragraph. This technique is useful when you're seeking specific information rather than reading for comprehension. Skimming works well to find dates, names, and places. It might be used to review graphs, tables, and charts.



Scanning is a technique you often use when looking up a word in the telephone book or dictionary. You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases. Scanning is also used when you first find a resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you've scanned the document, you might go back and skim it.


When scanning, look for the author's use of organizers such as numbers, letters, steps, or the words, first, second, or next. Look for words that are bold faced, italics, or in a different font size, style, or color. Sometimes the author will put key ideas in the margin.



Reading off a computer screen has become a growing concern. Research shows that people have more difficulty reading off a computer screen than off paper. Although they can read and comprehend at the same rate as paper, skimming on the computer is much slower than on paper.



The SQ3R

Reading Method























Before you read, S urvey

the chapter:


  • the title, headings, and subheadings

  • captions under pictures, charts, graphs or maps

  • review questions or teacher-made study guides

  • introductory and concluding paragraphs

  • summary

Q uestion

while you are surveying:


  • Turn the title, headings, and/or subheadings into questions;

  • Read questions at the end of the chapters or after each subheading;

  • Ask yourself, "What did my instructor say about this chapter or subject when it was assigned?"

  • Ask yourself, "What do I already know about this subject?"


Note: If it is helpful to you, write out these questions for consideration. This variation is called SQW3R

When you begin to

R ead:


  • Look for answers to the questions you first raised;

  • Answer questions at the beginning or end of chapters or study guides

  • Reread captions under pictures, graphs, etc.

  • Note all the underlined, italicized, bold printed words or phrases

  • Study graphic aids

  • Reduce your speed for difficult passages

  • Stop and reread parts which are not clear

  • Read only a section at a time and recite after each section

R ecite

after you've read a section:


  • Orally ask yourself questions about what you have just read

    or summarize, in your own words, what you read

  • Take notes from the text but write the information in your own words

  • Underline or highlight important points you've just read

  • Use the method of recitation which best suits your particular learning style but remember, the more senses you use the more likely you are to remember what you read - i.e.,


TRIPLE STRENGTH LEARNING: Seeing, saying, hearing-

QUADRUPLE STRENGTH LEARNING: Seeing , saying , hearing, writing!!!

R eview:

an ongoing process.

Day One



  • After you have read and recited the entire chapter,

    write questions in the margins for those points you have highlighted or underlined.

  • If you took notes while reciting,

    write questions for the notes you have taken in the left hand margins of your notebook.


Day Two



  • Page through the text and/or your notebook to re-acquaint yourself with the important points.

  • Cover the right hand column of your text/note-book and orally ask yourself the questions in the left hand margins.

  • Orally recite or write the answers from memory.

  • Make "flash cards" for those questions which give you difficulty.

  • Develop mnemonic devices for material which need to be memorized.


Days Three, Four and Five



  • Alternate between your flash cards and notes and test yourself (orally or in writing) on the questions you formulated.

  • Make additional flash cards if necessary.


Weekend


Using the text and notebook, make a Table of Contents - list all the topics and sub-topics you need to know from the chapter.

From the Table of Contents, make a Study Sheet/ Spatial Map.

Recite the information orally and in your own words as you put the Study Sheet/Map together.


Now that you have consolidated all the information you need for that chapter, periodically review the Sheet/Map so that at test time you will not have to cram.



PAR Reading Strategies






PAR Reading Strategies













P repare

Assist

R eflect

Get your brain ready!


? What do I already know?


? Does this remind me of something?


? What questions do I have?


? What do I predict is going to happen?


? What can I preview before I read?


(Titles, pictures, graphs, etc.)

What can I do to HELP me understand and remember what I read?


? Re-read


? Use strategies to solve hard words.


? Keep notes.


? Picture it in your mind.


? Re-predict


? Don't accept nonsense.


? Stop every so often and check your understanding (mini summary).


? Read between the lines.


? Search for connections


- text to text


- text to self


- text to world


? Ask yourself questions.


? ?Ask someone else if all other strategies have failed.

What have I learned, how do I feel, and what do I understand after reading?


(Final review and evaluation)


? Talk about it with someone else.


? Write or give a response on your opinions and feelings.


? Write or give a summary.


? Re-visit your original questions and see if you found the answers you were looking for.


? Go back to your first predictions and see if you were on the right track or not.


? Come up with more questions.