Mastering Reading Techniques: Fast vs. Slow Reading Strategies for Effective Comprehension

1. Reading for Information

2. Learning Outcomes • Describe the reading techniques involved in fast reading; • Describe the reading techniques involved in slow reading; and • Apply the reading techniques discussed into your own reading.

3. Purpose of Reading • To get an overview • To locate specific information • Practical application • To develop detailed and analytical understanding • Reading for pleasure/Free-range reading

4. 1. Fast reading2. Slow reading How to Read?

5. 1. Fast reading Fast reading is for the following purposes: • Gain an overview or background information of a topic; • Locate specific information; • Identify if the material is relevant to your needs; and • Know what the content is all about.

6. Scanning • Skimming Two types of fast reading:

7. a) Scanning • Done when you want to locate specific information quickly and efficiently • Quick absorption of the content • Read no more than necessary Example: Looking up a number in a telephone directory

8. How to Scan? • Look at the table of contents (TOC) • Read the chapter headings and subheadings • Go to the relevant sections of the book and read the first paragraph or the section headings • Search the index for keywords • Look out for hints ie. Words in bold, italics, underlined, subheadings.

9. b) Skimming • Done when you need to cover a large amount of material in a short time and not looking for anything in particular • Get good general impression of what the material is all about

10. How to Skim? • Read the headings in bold typeface • Search through the text very quickly – read the first and last paragraphs; note keywords • Move your eyes in zig-zag manner – left to right, then down

11. 2. Slow reading Slow reading allows you to: • Analyse and understand; • Evaluate and be critical; • Remember the information you read; and • Follow instructions.

12. Two approaches: Analytical Approach • Used when you need to understand terminology, follow instructions or remember what you have read. Critical Approach • Used when you need to evaluate the material you are reading.

13. SQ3R • An active and systematic approach to reading academic material • S = Survey • Q = Question • R = Read • R = Recite • R = Review

14. S = survey • Surveying the material to get the best overview of the information content. • Scan and skim through the material.

15. Q = question • Ask appropriate questions to provide focus in reading. • Read section by section and ask questions.

16. R = read • Question yourself while reading and try to answer. • Read slowly for difficult passages. • Read rapidly by focusing on keywords. • Stop and look closer at parts which are not clear.

17. R = recite • Recite for comprehension – ask questions, take notes, highlights, rewrite. • Organise information in your mind after each reading by doing mental maps. • Check your recall against the book – speak, listen.

18. R = review • Review your notes • Understand the material you have read.

19. Summary of Your Reading When reading, gather these information to get an overview of the content of the reading material: • Date • Title of Book • Essay or article • Author • Publishing details • Subject • Main point(s) • Comments • Important information • Related works

20. How to read your module • Table of Contents • The Course Guide • Getting acquainted with the Course Content

21. Table of Contents • Table of Contents provide: • A general idea of the module’s content. • Able to see the module’s structure & specific topics • This module comprises 10 topics that provide you with specific information

22. The Course Guide • Provides an overview of the course. • Consists of: • Introduction • Course Audience • Study Schedule • Course Objectives • Course Synopsis • Prior Knowledge

23. Getting Acquainted with the Course Content • Read the content itself. • Notice the different icons and what they represent.