TENETS OF READING SKILLS

Outline of the presentation꞉

·        Introduction

·        Meaning of Reading

·        Processes of Reading

·        Aim and objective of Reading

·        Components of Reading

·        Justification/Significance

·        Reading Techniques

·        Robinson’s Popular Formula for Reading

·        Steps in Reading

·        Good Reading Habits

·        Factors militating against effective reading

Introduction

          The presentation is aim at inculcating reading habits in the society starting from the scratch i.e. the youth who are regard to as the leaders of tomorrow. The presentation cuts across the required skills and techniques to arouse interest and create effective reading skills in the targeted beneficiaries as well as the society at large.

Meaning of Reading

Reading is a visual, mental and goal oriented activity.

Visual- seeing

Mental- done in the mind    

Goal-oriented- object of effort or ambition.

Processes of Reading

          Reading involves the processes of word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation. Amola (2009)

§  WORD RECOGNITION꞉ Identifying words

§  COMPREHENSION꞉ Understanding

§  FLUENCY꞉ going smooth or flowing natural

§  MOTIVATION꞉ induces a person to act in a particular way.

Aim and Objective of Reading

          Its aim a helping us to define ad redefine ourselves by reflecting upon and expanding our imagination for creativity.

Components of Reading

          -It involves the meaningful interpretation of visual symbols.

          -It involves thinking, evaluating and judging. 

- It requires imagination and problem-solving approaches.

Justification/Significance

          -Reading occupies a central place in intellectual development that no meaningful academic goal can be achieved without reading.

Reading Techniques

          For the purpose of this presentation four reading techniques will be examined. They include Skimming, Scanning, Normal reading and Study Reading.

ü Skimming- Identifying main points, this help survey what is to be read. This is also useful especially for searching for specific details like definition, formula e. t. c.

ü Scanning – this is the quick running through, it is classified as pr-reading technique alongside skimming.

ü Normal Reading- is a technique where the reader absorbs what is being read especially when reading novels and other such materials. This technique of reading helps develop/increase reader’s vocabulary.

ü Study Reading- This technique of reading demands utmost attention. It is always use when reading for examination.

Robinson’s Popular Formula for Reading- SQR³

This formula consists of five key words which are very sacrosanct for effective reading. They are Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Revise.

Ø Survey -This is the scanning through to see the main point.

Ø Question - Ask yourself questions on what is being read. This aid understanding and help pinpoint important points.

Ø Read- This entails reading with concentration and involvement of the reader as answers to the questions asked would be sought as well.

Ø Recite – This entails the test run of what has been read. The reader organizes and relates concepts and facts, master certain terms and formula, summarize and recall what has been read.  This is done through recitation from memory mentally, orally or by writing, as this help judge the level of assimilation of the reader.

Ø Revise – This is done by looking over the notes, taking note of the salient points and noting the relationship between each point.

Steps in Reading

Three steps has been identified for effective reading, they include adopting the mental posture for reading, applying right reading skills and problem solving (Obah 2002).

-Adopting the mental posture for reading – For concentration and assimilation of ideas reading must begin with proper mental posture, such as choosing a conducive area for reading, avoiding distraction and fatigue and also by dividing your material into smaller units to avoid tediousness.

- Applying the right reading skills- using the reading techniques such as skimming, scanning, normal reading and study reading, as well as the Robinson’s reading formula.

Good Reading Habit

          In maintaining good reading habit the following should be avoided.

§  Regression- utmost attention must be paid when reading to avoid regression i.e. the going back on what has been read, due to lack of concentration which amounts to waste of energy and time.

§  Head Movement – the moving of head when reading affects some readers while it help some, but on the average it affect majority especially the straining of the neck from line to line, this leads to discomfort and wears the out.

§  Vocalization- this is practice of reading out loud by some readers, to some it helps them concentrate but it is always advisable to avoid this system of reading as it might affect the other readers in your vicinity.

§  Finger Pointing and Tracing- a reader should train the eyes to pick the words in a text without pointing to it.

§  Frequent Fixation – a reader should avoid fixing on one word, as this slows down reading speed.

§  Passive Reading – a reader should create interest and always be prepared when reading.

§  Word by Word Reading – reading should always be in units of thoughts, phrases or clauses as reading word by word slows down reading.

Factors militating against effective reading

·        Psychological factor- this is emotional disturbance or mental imbalance.

·        Physiological factor- this includes sickness, poor eyesight and bad reading posture.

·        Instructional factor – this is as a result of the structure of the book, tiny or faint printing, also the reader’s non- possession of the necessary reading skills and techniques.

·        Socio-Cultural factors-  the reader should always be familiar with the immediate environment before creating interest elsewhere. In other words the reader must always read within the context of his or her knowledge

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Conclusion

           Given the sequential analysis of the tenets of reading skills, good reading habits should be developed, effective reading should be achieved, and students are expected to now be conversant with the concepts of reading, it aims, and significance, which will help them create interest in reading, as this is the only hope left for educating(formal and informal) our society . As the aim of the presentation is to arouse the interest of reading in people, as this will illuminate the obscurity our society is shrouded in, and also produce a society filled with elite and not just learned people.

REFERENCE

Adeyemo S. A. et al꞉ Studies in English language꞉ A Modern Approach I, Benin꞉ Uniworld Educational Publication Limited, (2012), pp. 8-20

                                                                                         MAY 2013