Abid Hussain Library Officer ISSI Islamabad

1. April 28, 2018
Power of readings
By Abid Hussain
According to the Oxford learner's dictionary, the term reading is "the act of somebody who read or the
action or skill of reading written or printed matter silently or aloud". There are many types of reading
of them the four main types of reading techniques are the following (1) Skimming (2) Scanning (3)
Intensive (4) Extensive. Skimming is that type of readings in which readers can get a general idea of
the meaning as opposed to the scanning technique which is reading in order to find specific
information, e.g. Title, headings, figures or names, reading newspapers, messages and emails to just
get general ideas and there is no need to read them deeply. Scanning is that method of reading habits
which is useful to review material in general; it is a speedy source of reading material for acquiring
general idea, not in-depth knowledge. Unlike skimming, in scanning, people can get information about
a specific fact or even short information relevant to the individual. In scanning people can get the
desired information in the least possible time, the best example is to find out the phone number of your
friend in a phone directory. Intensive reading is essential reading in depth and is usually done in the
class, with each student having the same text. Intensive Reading is also known as "Narrow Reading", it
may direct a reader to read the selected material or similarly related topic which best matches the
subject or the area. Intensive reading creates a rapid reading practice, also interpreting the text by using
textual and non-textual information. Extensive reading is considered that type of reading, which is
carried out to achieve a general understanding of a text explained by Brown 1989. Many readers are
using the extensive type of reading strategy in which He is reading texts for the sake of enjoyment and
also to develop general reading skills. When learners read a lot they meet thousands of lexical words
which build up the vocabulary of the reader in Extensive Reading is not taught in textbooks. Keeping in
mind the various types of readings, here are a few examples which can be used for improving reading
habits in society.
(a) Exposed to new Things: When we reading some printed material we find our ignorance and get
more refined knowledge and new ideas which help us to achieve our goals and solve our problems by
discovering new knowledge.
(b)Self-Improvement: one can improve himself/herself by reading more and more books. A person can
improve his personality by reading some informative and enlightening book. He gets new ideas which
helping them in self-improvement.

2. (c) Mental stimulation: By reading more books a person can get more power and more energy and can
prevent himself from losing mental motivation. One can achieve good mental stimulation by viewing
and reading more things and get fresh ideas sprung into the mind and refresh his active minds.
(d) Stress reduction: Reading can help a man in reducing stress caused by day to day tensions. A person
who reads more gets a sound and peaceful mind. Also because mental satisfaction is possible only by
reading good books which is a source of good ideas.
(e) Strong Thinking skills: A person who readings more books might have strong thinking skills,
He/She might have good power of thinking and may prove himself as a good decision maker.
(f) Boost imagination: reading more creates good and rich imaginary thinking. In personal
development. A good reader might have good creative skills and always bear good thinking skills as
well.
(g) Better writing skills: A Person is reading to finding more ideas which leads him/her to be a better
writer because for having sharp writing skills you need to have might good vocabulary and good
vocabulary can be created through good reading skills.
(h) Memory improvement: One can improve memory also by reading various books. Memory stops
working when a person stops readings. So, readings create more memories recollections and keep a
man active by viewing and exploring new ideas in the concerned field to which he belongs.
Recommendation to become a good reader
There are a few tips which improve reading habits in masses, these tips are mentioned below.
(a) Determine your reading goal
All peoples are reading to achieve a specific goal. Most people are reading for passing exams, but there
are some peoples who read to get awareness. Maybe so, before reading any book the reader ought to set
a goal, that why he/she is actually reading this book or any other printed material.
(b) Make a List of Books for Each Month: Once you set your reading goal for the year, you'll need a
list to back it up. Write a list of the amazing books you want to read.
(c) Read at Least 10-20 Pages a Day: If you are looking to create a consistent reading pattern, then set
out a particular number of pages per day would work out perfectly. Consider setting aside at least 10-20
pages per day to read, especially if you have a busy schedule.
(d) Fix Your reading time: Many people's have a busy schedule which disturbed an ideal routine work.
Make some time free for reading and fix your time in such a way that within this time no other work
should be done except reading.
(e) Deciding what to read: If you have spare some time for reading then it is also the responsibility of
the reader that what to be read stuff which makes them joyful by reading such material.
(f) Get recommendations from Friends If you don't know what to be read: ask your friends and find the
best books in your surroundings, or go to the library to borrow them.

3. (g) Go to Book festivals: In big cities, many book fairs and festival are organized by academic
institutes and book suppliers, get some time and visit there and find books of your choice.
(h) Spend some amount on Books: The last things which are very necessary for all readers cut some
amount from your pocket money and buy books of your choice. If one can spend money on buying
books, then he she may read it as well in spare time. When one can spend some amount over printed
material if it not possible to get the book in high prices go to an old bookshop and there you may find
books of your choice. By adopting such strategies one can become a good reader, and once the habit of
reading improves then society becomes more civilized by reading more books, one cannot only
improve their knowledge but also become confident in personal life which helps them to fight
depression and makes them a better decision maker in his life.
The writer is working as a library officer at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, a think tank
based in Islamabad