This document discusses improving reading skills for work. It covers three key areas: comprehension, vocabulary, and speed. For comprehension, it recommends techniques like focusing, identifying the purpose, scanning, summarizing, and checking understanding. Building vocabulary involves determining meanings from context or word parts. Reading speed can be increased through practice, focusing on paragraphs, timing reading, and pushing the pace. The overall goal is to effectively gain and apply information from written documents in professional settings.

1. The Office
Procedures and Technology
Chapter 7 (a)
Communication, reading and
writing at work (Part 1)
Copyright© 2007 Thomson/South-Western

2. Objectives
1. Why do we need to read?
2. How do we improve our reading skill?
a. Comprehension
b. Vocabulary
c. Speed
Slide 2

3. Slide 3
Purposes for Reading at Work
 Learning about the company
 Following instructions on forms
 Using references/databases
 Responding to inquiries
 Other job duties
Lecture 13-14 Reading and Writing at Work

4. Slide 4
Purposes for Reading at Work
 Understanding instructions for equipment
or software
(e.g. Blackboard)

5. How do you improve reading skill
 Critical reading skills require three areas:
1. Comprehension
2. Vocabulary
3. Speed
Slide 5

6. Slide 6
1.Comprehension
 Understanding what you have read
 Practice techniques can improve skill
 Focus  Sequence
 Identify purpose  Draw a mental picture
 Scan  Checkup
 Summarize  Reread

7. Improve reading comprehension
 Focus
Put aside anything else on your mind when
you begin to read.
 Identify purpose
 Before you begin, ask “what do I want to know
when I have completed this reading?”
 Scan
 Get an overview of the page, the chapter, article,
or book before you read carefully.
Slide 7

8. Improving reading comprehension
 Summarize
 Mentally summarize as you move from one
paragraph to another, particularly if you are
reading to gain information for handing a task.
 Sequence
 After reading several paragraphs, try to think of
the ideas in an appropriate order.
 Draw a mental picture
 Attempt to imagine what it is that is being
discussed.
Slide 8

9. Improving reading comprehension
 Checkup
 Determine, through a fast review of key points,
whether you have learned what you expected to
learn.
 Reread
 Begin a new to read what you have just read if
you are not satisfied with you checkup process.
Slide 9

10. Slide 10
2.Vocabulary
 Words you know and understand
 Determine meaning from context or by
considering word parts
 Check the meaning in a dictionary or other
reference

11. Slide 11
3.Speed
 Rate at which you read
 Improve reading rate with practice
 Focus on an entire paragraph
 Time your reading and set goals
 Force yourself ahead as you read