This document discusses reading skills and strategies for improving comprehension. It begins by explaining the importance of reading skills for academic and professional success. It then discusses different reading rates and reasons for poor reading. The document provides tips for improving reading, such as reading a variety of materials, recalling information, and answering questions. It also outlines techniques like skimming, scanning, and strategies to help comprehend text structure and viewpoints. The conclusion emphasizes that regular practice of skimming and scanning can help increase reading comprehension skills.

1. Reading Skills

2. Introduction
 Reading skill is the ability to understand information presented in a
written form.
 Effective reading skills are always essential in our academic as well
as professional career. They are more necessary these days among
the phenomenal advanced technology globalization , increasing
cultural diversity , and adoption of team-based structures in work
places.
 Time spent by professionals on communication activities on
receiving information(listening and reading).Reading is as important
as other communications skills. But most of us ignore importance of
acquiring this communication skill involved in a receiving a broad
spectrum of the messages .

3. the time spent by professional on communication activity
speaking
30%
reading
16%
listening
45%
writing
9%
speaking
reading
listening
writing

4. Purpose of reading
The purpose of reading is to connect the ideas on the page to what
you already know.
If you don’t know anything about the subject then pouring word of the
text into your mind is like pouring into your hand. You do not retain
much.
For example:
Try reading these numbers
4236157 this is a hard to read and remember
423-6157 this is a easier because chunking.
Similarly if you like sports , then reading the sport page is easy. you
have framework in your mind for reading, understanding and storing
information. During reading you need to be alert and grasp the
message quickly.
Reading without purpose is sauntering not exercise.
(Edward Bulwer-Lytton)

5. Reading rates
≈100 wpm A very basic reading ability. Low level of reading experience coupled with a low experience
and understanding. going back to words already read , saying the word to oneself. Reading is
the hard-work at this speed.
100-200 wpm Readers between 6 to 12 years of age. Characterized by high level of regression and
concentration problem.
200-250 wpm An average reading speed in the vast majority of world readers are positioned for most of
there lives. Generally understanding more than half of what is read.
250-350 wpm This reading speed characteristic of post high school graduate or a enthusiastic readers with
reading experience.
350-500 wpm Where above average and approaching good comprehension and understanding.
Enjoyment of a reading as pleasurable activity.
500-800 wpm A useful reading speed that promotes excellence comprehension(75% and above)
800-1000 wpm Extremely efficient reading speed. Word recognition is excellent. Possibly a top class scholar or
higher achieving business person.
1000 wpm + Natural speed reader and who maintain skills by regular practicing and drilling.
This is a characterized by optimum comprehension and control over all reading requirements.
Reading is a substantial part of your life.

6. Reason for a poor Reading
 Inability to understand a word
 Inability to understand a sentence.
 Inability to understand how sentence relate to one another.
 Inability to understand how the information put together in a
meaningful way.
 Lack of interest or concentration.

7. Improving Reading skill
 Read a variety of materials. Do not limit yourself to a text-book.
 Read a fairly long portion of material. Try to read an entire section or
chapter instead.
 Circle unknown familiar words as you read.
 After reading, recall as much as information possible.
 Considered how interesting the subject matter is and how much you
already know about the subject.
 Answer questions about the material after reading it.

8. Techniques For Good Reading
1. Skimming
 Skimming is used to quickly gather the most important
information. It’s not essential to understand each
word when you are skimming.
 Run your eyes over the text, noting important information.
Use skimming to quickly get up to speed on a current business
situation.

9. How to Skim?
Working quickly…
1. Read the title if there is one.
2. Read the introduction or the first paragraph if there is one.
3. Read the first sentence of every other paragraph.
4. Notice any pictures, charts, or graphs.
5. Notice any italicized or boldface words or phrases.
6. Read the summary or last paragraph if there is one.
7. Read for which audience the text was written.
8. Read a what type of text it is.
9. Read what the purpose of author is and the general content of the text.

10. Examples of Skimming:
 The Newspaper – to quickly get the general news of the day
 Magazines – to quickly discover which articles you would like to
read in more detail
 Business and Travel Brochures – to quickly get informed

11. Scanning
Scanning is a reading technique to be used when you want
to find specific information quickly.
How to Scan
1. State the specific information you are looking for.
2. Try to anticipate how the answer will appear and what clues you might use to
help you locate the answer. For example, if you were looking for a certain date,
you would quickly read the paragraph looking only for numbers.
3. Use headings and any other aids that will help you identify which sections might
contain the information you are looking for.
4. Selectively read and skip through sections of the passage.

12. Examples of Scanning:
 A google search list on the internet.
 A bus / airplane schedule
 A conference guide
Scanning practice:
 Here is some information you are looking for on the BC Hydro website.
Read the questions and then on the next slide , find the answers, as quickly as
possible:
1. Who is handling inquiries?
2. What is the after hours media line?
3. What is a good example of BC Hydro Clean Energy Project?

14. Scanning answers
Remember it’s important to quickly find the information you need. You don’t need to understand every word, or read
every word. Your eyes should quickly scan the document for the information you seek.

15. The other techniques u should develop and practise your reading skills .
 Non verbal signals
 Structure of the text
 Structure of the paragraph
 Punctuation
 Author’s view point
 Reader anticipation: determining the meaning of the words
 summarization

16. Conclusion
 These slides will give you to increase awareness of the various
aspect of reading comprehension and guidelines to help you
improve your skills in this area of communication.
 Skimming and scanning is used when reading all types of documents.

17. Thanks. . . ..
References:
• Technical communication(oxford)