Module 1 Effective Reading

Topics Covered:
• Reading Comprehension and Process
• Types of reading: Academic, Professional, Critical, Literary and Technical
• Reading Tips for improving reading skills.
• Note taking and Note Making
• Assignment Writing

Introduction
Reading is an important communicative process and reading skills are probably the
most important language skills required for academic and professional purposes. Quick,
efficient, and imaginative reading techniques are essential to achieve academic success,
because academic performance depends on the quantity and quality of reading.

Reading is a complex communicative process of receiving and interpreting the written

word. It involves recognising what is written and comprehending the matter, i.e.,
understanding the main and subsidiary points as well as links between different parts
of the written material. While receiving and interpreting the written word, the reader is
concerned with four factors, i.e., decoding, comprehending, text analysis, and response.
Decoding or interpreting in reading refers to the process of changing the coded message
into information. As it involves understanding the written language, it requires the
ability to recognise words accurately, understand the definitions of the words being
used, and the manner in which words are used in varying contexts. A written message
can be decoded, only if we know the language in which the message is encoded. As in
the case of decoding in listening, the decoding and interpretation of a written message
may be influenced by our social, cultural, educational, professional, and intellectual
frames of reference.

"Reading" is the process of looking at a series of written symbols and getting meaning
from them. When we read, we use our eyes to receive written symbols (letters,
punctuation marks and spaces) and we use our brain to convert them into words,
sentences and paragraphs that communicate something to us.
According to Urquhart and Weirt in William Grabe stated the Reading is the process of
receiving interpreting information in language from via the medium of print. According
to Johnson, Reading is practice of using text to create meaning.

Based on the definitions, the researcher concludes that reading must develop, so the
reader can understand the meaning of passage and also catch the meaning of the text.
Reading is a receptive skill - through it we receive information. But the complex
process of reading also requires the skill of speaking, so that we can pronounce the
words that we read. In this sense, reading is also a productive skill in that we are both
receiving information and transmitting it (even if only to ourselves).

Comprehension
Comprehension in reading refers to the identify cation of the central theme, main ideas,
supporting details, and writing patterns. In order to comprehend a technical message,
we need to think critically and analytically about what we are reading so that we are
able to respond to the lexical meaning of words and the relationships between them,

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 understand the specific details, and recognise the meaning and function of sentence
patterns accurately as well as their logical and thematic coherence.

The Reading Process

Reading is the process in which information from the text and the knowledge possessed by
the reader get together to produce meaning the reading process is complex and multi-
dimensional. It includes three phases: before reading, during reading and after reading. In the
before-reading phase, the reader establishes in his or her mind a purpose and a plan for reading.
Then, the reader begins to read the written text—the during-reading phase. While he or she
reads, the reader will think about the purpose for reading and about his or her prior knowledge.
This may occur during short pauses taken while reading.
Finally, the after-reading phase of the process occurs when the reader finishes reading the
written text. The reader takes time to think about what he or she knew before the reading and
what he or she learned or connected with during the reading, and then he or she links this
information together to build new knowledge. Throughout the reading process, but specifically
in the during-reading phase, reading strategies can be useful to improve comprehension.

Reading Process Chart

The chart below gives some examples of specific activities that may help a reader during the
three phases of the reading process.

Based on the work of Kylene Beers. Beers, Kylene. Reading Skills and Strategies: Reaching
Reluctant Readers. Elements of Literature Series: Grades 6-12. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, 2000.

Benefits of Reading

Here are the benefits of effective reading:

1.Effective reading can provide you with a 'comprehensible input' from the book or document

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that you read.
2.It can enhance your general ability to use other language skills such as listening, speaking,
and writing.
3.It can enhance your vocabulary, that is, you can always learn new words, phrases, and
expressions.
4.Effective reading also helps you keep your mind focused on the material and prevents it from
unnecessary distractions.
5.Moreover, this enables you to extract useful information much more efficiently within a
limited time.
6.It can help you consolidate both previously learned language and knowledge.
7.It helps in building confidence as you start reading longer, and later, voluminous texts.
8.It gives you pleasure and relaxation as books are the best and most reliable friends.
9.Effective reading facilitates the development of various other skills, such as making predic-
tons, comparing and contrasting facts, creating samples, hypothesizing, reorganizing the
message as transmitted by the text, improving your critical thinking, and hence developing a
sharp acumen with passage of time.

Types of reading:
Academic, Professional, Critical, and Literary and Technical
There are many types of reading. It encompasses academic reading, professional reading,
critical reading, literary reading, and technical reading.(prescribed in the syllabus)

1. Academic Reading
Academic Reading is defined as reading with a specifically academic and educational
purpose. an active process that goes beyond merely reading and highlighting your text. Reader
needs to interact with the text by taking notes, making connections between the text and what
you already know or have experienced, and asking critical questions about the material you are
reading.

It involves reading traditional books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, journals, articles etc. For
instance, Students read prescribed textbooks or references for acquiring information at the
schools or college.

The main purpose of academic reading is the acquisition and construction of subject
knowledge; however, it also plays an important role in academic development and success. It
helps students to interact with and make connections and judgements between texts, question
contributions, and challenge inherent biases and arguments. In this way, academic reading is
linked to the development of critical thinking.

In a survey of academics from UK universities on the purpose of academic reading for students,
one participant put it bluntly: ‘If they don’t read, they don’t think and learn’ (Miller and
Merdian, 2020).

Research into learning and teaching practices has also identified academic reading’s significant
role – alongside critical thinking skills – in the formation of students’ authorial identities.
Academic reading and writing are intrinsically linked, with the former serving as an enabler
for the latter. In a study by Maguire et al (2020), students reported that, quite simply, without
academic reading, they would have nothing to write about. Furthermore, it was only through

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sustained academic reading that they developed their own views and abilities to interact and
engage with their texts. Maguire concluded that academic reading is a vital part of students’
development into ‘active, engaged and purposeful learners and meaning makers with deliberate
textual identity’.

Despite the importance of academic reading to students’ development and engagement, the
skill is often taken for granted in higher education. Lecturers generally expect students to arrive
at university and be able to read proficiently, but studies suggest that this is not always the case.
Many students entering higher education are not equipped with the academic reading skills
needed for effective study. Although academic reading forms a core component of university
teaching, it is integrated through modes such as reading lists and class discussions. Teaching
sessions are rarely specifically dedicated to development of the skill. Reading experts agree
that competency in academic reading is learned, yet students receive very little explicit,
discipline-specific instruction (Howard, 2018). Gourlay has even argued that contemporary
models of student engagement tend to emphasise forms of student activity that are more
interactive and observable, such as group work, and risk constructing solitary reading as
passive, or even problematic, leading to its exclusion from the curriculum.

To help address the neglect of academic reading in degree curricula, research suggests that
tutors should seek to provide a greater level of support to students to help develop their
academic reading capabilities. Studies have found that despite academics’ belief in the value
of academic reading, they are often reluctant to teach it, owing to assumptions that it is the
responsibility of other programmes, such as personal tutorship or the library, a lack of
confidence in their own ability to teach academic reading skills, or a failure to realise it is
necessary. Lecturers also emphasised the difficulties of assessing and rewarding students’
engagement with academic reading, as current assessment structures, such as essays, can allow
students to attain success in assignments despite non-compliance with most of the reading
(Miller and Merdian, 2020).

The issue of students’ non-compliance with reading is indicative of a broader question of

students’ desire and inclination to read. In Miller and Median’s survey of academics (2020),
all reported that their students read ‘too little’. Students also report reading too little, citing
issues such as time constraints,

. Benefits of Academic Reading

• To learn new information, determine the author's viewpoint, and process new ideas.
• It helps students to interact with and make connections and judgements between texts,
question contributions, and challenge inherent biases and arguments.
• To develop critical thinking skills and visualization.
• To develop readers own views and abilities to interact and engage with their texts.
• To develop language skills, improve your vocabulary and sentence structures and
provide better word acquisition.
• Enable students to gain information and insights.
• Skills: Clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, logicalness, significance,
and fairness.

Academic Reading Strategies

Strategies differ from reader to reader. The same reader may use different strategies for
different contexts because their purpose for reading changes.

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 Ask yourself “why am I reading?” and “what am I reading?” when deciding which strategies
to try.

Before reading.

• Establish your purpose for reading.

• Speculate about the author’s purpose for writing.
• Review what you already know and want to learn about the topic (see the
guides below)
• Preview the text to get an overview of its structure, looking at headings,
figures, tables, glossary, etc.
• Predict the contents of the text and pose questions about it. If the authors
have provided discussion questions, read them and write them on a note-
taking sheet.
• Note any discussion questions that have been provided (sometimes at the
end of the text)

During reading

• Annotate and mark (sparingly) sections of the text to easily recall important
or interesting ideas.
• Check your predictions and find answers to posed questions.
• Use headings and transition words to identify relationships in the text.
• Create a vocabulary list of other unfamiliar words to define later.
• Try to infer unfamiliar words’ meanings by identifying their relationship to
the main idea.
• Connect the text to what you already know about the topic.
• Take breaks (split the text into segments if necessary)
• Sample annotated texts – Journal article · Book chapter excerpt

After reading.

• Summarize the text in your own words (note what you learned, impressions,
and reactions) in an outline, concept map, or matrix (for several texts)
• Talk to someone about the author’s ideas to check your comprehension.
• Identify and reread difficult parts of the text.
• Define words on your vocabulary list and practice using them.
• Sample graphic organizers – Concept map

2. Professional Reading

Refers to the reading that helps you develop professional skills and understanding of your field
or industry. It is the act of engaging with written materials that are relevant to one's profession
or field of expertise. It involves actively seeking out and consuming information from various
sources such as books, research papers, articles, journals, and online resources that provide

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valuable insights and knowledge related to a specific profession or industry.

Professional readings play a crucial role in the continuous learning and development of
individuals within their respective fields. They serve as a means to stay updated with the latest
trends, advancements, and best practices in a particular domain. By regularly engaging in
professional readings, individuals can enhance their understanding, expand their knowledge
base, and improve their skills and competencies.

The content of professional readings can vary depending on the profession or industry. For
example, professionals in the medical field may engage in reading scientific research papers,
medical journals, and textbooks to stay abreast of new treatments, procedures, and discoveries.
Similarly, individuals in the business world may read books on leadership, management
strategies, marketing techniques, or industry-specific publications to gain insights into effective
business practices.

Professional readings can be self-directed or recommended by mentors, supervisors, or

colleagues. They can be formal or informal in nature. Formal professional readings often
include academic publications, research papers, and scholarly articles that are peer-reviewed
and published in reputable journals. Informal professional readings may involve blogs, online
forums, industry newsletters, or even social media platforms where professionals share their
experiences and insights.

Engaging in professional readings offers several benefits. Firstly, it helps professionals stay
current with the latest developments in their field. This is particularly important in rapidly
evolving industries where new knowledge is constantly being generated. By staying up-to-date
with emerging trends and innovations, professionals can adapt their practices accordingly and
remain competitive.

Secondly, professional readings provide opportunities for professional growth and

development. They expose individuals to different perspectives and ideas that can challenge
existing beliefs and expand their understanding of their profession. This exposure to diverse
viewpoints can foster critical thinking and creativity, enabling professionals to approach
problems and challenges in new and innovative ways.

Furthermore, professional readings can enhance the credibility and reputation of individuals
within their field. By demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and staying
informed, professionals can establish themselves as knowledgeable and trustworthy experts.
This can lead to increased opportunities for career advancement, networking, and collaboration
with peers.

In order to make the most out of professional readings, it is important to approach them with a
purposeful mindset. This involves setting specific goals or objectives for each reading session,
such as acquiring new knowledge on a particular topic, improving a specific skill, or gaining
insights into industry trends. Additionally, it is essential to critically evaluate the credibility and
reliability of the sources being read. This can be done by considering the reputation of the
author or publication, assessing the quality of evidence provided, and cross-referencing
information with other reliable sources.

In conclusion, a professional reading refers to the act of engaging with written materials that
are relevant to one's profession or field of expertise. It is an essential practice for individuals

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seeking continuous learning and development within their respective domains. By regularly
consuming authoritative and informative content from reputable sources, professionals can stay
updated with the latest advancements, expand their knowledge base, enhance their skills, and
establish themselves as credible experts in their field.

Benefits of Professional Reading

Professional reading is an essential aspect of personal and professional development, offering

numerous benefits for individuals in various fields. In this answer, we will explore the
advantages of professional reading in detail, highlighting the benefits for career growth,
personal development, and knowledge acquisition.

Career Growth

1. Improved knowledge and skills: Professional reading helps individuals stay up-to-date with
the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in their respective fields. This knowledge and
skills enhancement can lead to better job performance, increased productivity, and improved
career prospects.
2. Networking opportunities: Many professional books and articles provide insights into the
experiences and perspectives of industry leaders and experts. Reading these materials can help
individuals expand their professional networks, identify potential mentors or collaborators, and
gain access to valuable resources and opportunities.
3. Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving: Professional reading exposes individuals to
diverse perspectives, challenging their assumptions and improving their critical thinking and
problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for career advancement, as they enable
individuals to analyse complex situations, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing
circumstances.

Personal Development

1. Stress reduction and relaxation: Reading can be a therapeutic activity that reduces stress and
promotes relaxation. Professional reading, in particular, can provide individuals with a sense
of accomplishment and fulfilment, helping them cope with the demands of their profession.
2. Improved communication skills: Professional reading can help individuals develop a more
nuanced understanding of language and communication, enabling them to express their ideas
more effectively and communicate more persuasively.
3. Increased empathy and understanding: By exposing individuals to diverse perspectives and
experiences, professional reading can foster empathy and understanding, helping them better
relate to colleagues, clients, and customers.

Knowledge Acquisition
1. Staying current with industry trends: Professional reading helps individuals stay up-to-date
with the latest developments in their field, enabling them to remain competitive and adapt to
changing market conditions.
2. Broadening knowledge horizons: Professional reading exposes individuals to new ideas,
theories, and frameworks that can expand their knowledge horizons and enhance their critical
thinking skills.
3. Improved decision-making: By providing insights into best practices and case studies,
professional reading can help individuals make more informed decisions, mitigate risks, and
capitalize on opportunities.

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In conclusion, professional reading offers numerous benefits for career growth, personal
development, and knowledge acquisition. By dedicating time to professional reading,
individuals can improve their knowledge and skills, expand their professional networks, and
enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. To maximize the benefits of
professional reading, individuals should seek out diverse sources of information, engage in
active reading strategies, and apply their newfound knowledge and insights to their personal
and professional lives.

3. Critical Reading

Critical reading is a more active way of reading. It is a deeper and more complex engagement
with a text. Critical reading is a process of analysing, interpreting and, sometimes, evaluating.
When we read critically, we use our critical thinking skills to questions both the text and our
own reading of it. Different disciplines may have distinctive modes of critical reading
(scientific, philosophical, literary, etc).
Critical reading involves a higher level of involvement from a reader than recreational reading.
The reader is supposed to apply certain theories and thought processes and raise questions and
the final result is better comprehension and enhanced clarity. As a process, this means that the
reader should always keep an open mind, read slower than usual, pay extra attention, take
notes, and try to put himself or herself in the shoes of the author’s target audience.

Benefits of Critical Reading

Mental Development

One of the most obvious aspects we need to take into consideration when discussing the
importance of critical reading is the effect it has on our minds. Like any complex mental task
we take on, critical reading is an amazing workout for our brains.

While reading is already known to have a beneficial effect on our brain, critical reading is
actually an even better exercise. By getting more involved in the text, taking notes, and
analysing more aspects of the language and subtext, more areas of our brain are being activated
compared to classical reading. The neuronal connections are being strengthened, new neural
paths are built and our brains develop better and faster.

Needless to say, mental development achieved through critical reading can be extremely
valuable in many aspects of our lives.

2. Better Understanding of the Text

Somewhat obvious, reading critically has an immensely positive effect on how much, how
well, and how quickly we understand what we read. While during regular reading quite a lot
of skimming occurs, which eventually leads us to inevitably miss out on certain pieces of
information we are forced to deduct later from context, critical reading means no stone is left
unturned.

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Reading critically implies a level of involvement in the activity of reading that doesn’t allow
us to skip any unknown words, or any connections to other events the author is making, which
in turn means that any given sentence, paragraph, or section of the text cannot be considered
read until the reader understands it 100%.

3. Critical Thinking Improvement

Critical thinking is an essential life skill, defined as one’s ability to understand, synthesize,
conceptualize, analyse, interpret, and evaluate information. What this means is that a critical
thinker takes nothing at face value and filters all information through his or her own thought
process.

Critical reading is a powerful tool for developing the necessary mental attributes of a critical
thinker. This type of reading is an essential mental exercise through which information read is
analysed and processed at a much deeper level.

Any thought, idea, or concept expressed by the author needs to be observed, judged, and
carefully analysed while critically reading. The same mental process is involved in critical
thinking, but that applies to all information received through any other channels, not only
reading. Needless to say, being able to distinguish between real and fake news for example is
absolutely essential nowadays. That is the power of critical thinking and critical reading is
therefore a great means to an end.

4. Remembering More from What You Read

It’s not unusual for us to forget many parts of what we read. After all, our memory is something
we have little to no control over. Our brains normally decide, through processes we are not
actively involved in, what information is worth keeping and what can be forgotten.

The best we can do when it comes to our memory is nudge it in the right direction whenever
we feel that we absolutely need to remember a certain piece of information. And even though
it may sound odd, we do that using tricks.

Tricks like repeating a name several times in order to remember it, writing down essential
information, mnemonic devices, and many others have been proven effective.

Critical reading uses some of the same tactics: it is not unusual for a reader to go over the same
paragraph several times before being completely sure all the information is understood, and a
critical reader will often take notes in order to structure the gathered information in a more
facile manner.

As mentioned earlier, this process of analysing the text to a deeper level gets more parts of our
brain involved, which in turn tricks it into creating the neuronal connections that are required
for remembering a lot more information than you would through regular reading.
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5. Better Logical and Problem-Solving Skills

Like any mental exercise, critical reading has effects that go way beyond the obvious. While
at first glance, it would seem logical for critical reading to have benefits that are strictly related
to reading, speech, and text comprehension, things are quite different in reality. Given the
strong connection to critical thinking and the way it improves this skill and what an effective
brain exercise it is, the ramifications of the critical reading benefits extend over a much larger
spectrum: better decision making, a decluttered mind, crisper logic and even an ability to solve
problems faster, better and with less effort.

Critical Reading Strategies

1. Annotating

One of the first strategies to begin with is annotating a text. When you annotate, you underline
important parts of the text, such as the thesis statement, topic sentences of body paragraphs and
explanatory material. Annotating may also include circling key words and writing comments
or questions you have about the material in the margins. This is also a very good way to mark
material that needs to be studied for exams.

2. Contextualizing.

When you contextualize a text, you place it within its original historical or cultural context.
As a reader you should try to identify this context and consider how this context differs from
your own. In order to do this, you need to consider the following:
a. Language or ideas that appear foreign or out of date.
b. Your knowledge of the time and place in which the work was written.
c. The effect these differences have on your understanding and judgment of the reading.

3. Reflecting on challenges to your beliefs and values.

Sometimes our beliefs about an issue are difficult to express because they are so ingrained. In
order to discover these beliefs it is important to explore how a text challenges you. Does it
make you feel disturbed, threatened, ashamed, or inspired? Many of you may have a strong
reaction to some of the essays you read. This reaction is a good example of an occasion
when this type of reading strategy can be used. In order to do this, you might try the
following:
a. Identify the points in the text where you feel your beliefs are being challenged.
b. Choose one or two of the most troubling challenges and analyse your feelings about them.

4. Paraphrasing.

When you paraphrase a text, you put it into your own words. This can be helpful in
understanding a difficult or ambiguous passage. It is also one of the three ways to incorporate
other people’s ideas into your own. The other two are quoting directly and summarizing. Unlike
a summary, a paraphrase contains all of the original information. The purpose of a paraphrase

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is to simplify without changing any information. You are not changing what is said, but how it
is said.

5. Outlining.

This can be used as a preliminary to summarizing. Outlining allows you to identify the basic
structure of a text and the main ideas of the text. In an outline you are listing the main ideas
and supporting evidence of a text. It is especially important to be able to distinguish between
the two. Use your own words when outlining a text.

6. Summarizing.

Summarizing creates a new text by synthesizing the material of the original. After outlining
the text, the information is put together again in your own words. Summarization fosters
understanding of the text, as you need to be able to recreate the meaning of the text in your
own words.

7. Exploring the figurative language.

Similes, metaphors and symbols are all examples of figurative language. This type of
language helps writers illustrate their points and get the type of reaction they want from the
reader.
a. A metaphor indirectly identifies two different things with each other. For example, the
ribbon of road winded endlessly before us.
b. A simile makes a more direct comparison through the use of connecting words such as
like, as, or appears. The cloud was like a cotton ball.
c. A symbol makes a comparison by making one thing stand for another. For example, when
a writer refers to the crown to symbolize monarchy.

8. Looking for patterns of opposition.

A writer may anticipate opposition to his or her views by responding to them in some way. A
writer may also have conflicting views about the issues that are presented in the text. When
considering oppositions, you might think of opposites like, yes, no; black, white; etc. Writers
will often present an argument by favouring one side of opposing terms. To look for patterns
of opposition you might do the following:
a. Make two columns on a piece of paper and in the left-hand column list words and phrases
that seem to indicate opposition. In the right-hand column write down the opposite to that
phrase.

For instance, if you wrote down pleasant dreams in the left-hand column from Franklins
essay, you would write down nightmares in the right.
b. Make a note next to each pair which one the author prefers.
c. Conclude about what the writer wants you to believe based on these preferred oppositions.

9. Evaluating the logic of an argument.

The two parts of an argument are claim and support. The claim is what the writer wants the
reader to accept. That is, the claim is the idea, opinion, or point of view of the writer. The
support is the reasons and evidence that becomes the basis for that claim. Arguments must
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pass the ABC test. That is the argument must be,
a. Appropriate
b. Believable
c. Consistent
To test an argument for appropriateness you need to analyse it according to logical fallacies,
for instance false analogy, non sequitur, post hoc ergo propter hoc.

To test for believability, you will apply other fallacies that relate to reasoning, such as
begging the question, generalizations and failing to accept the burden of proof. In testing for
consistency you are checking to make sure there are no contradictory statements.

10. Recognizing emotional manipulation.

Writers are guilty of improper emotional manipulation when they use false or exaggerated
appeals. When a writer acts as an alarmist, uses emotionally loaded words, like racist, or tries
to vilify the opposition, you, as reader, should be suspicious. Some of the following are
fallacies of emotional appeal.
a. Loaded or slanted language: language meant to get a specific reaction from the reader.
b. Bandwagon effect: everyone else thinks this is true and so should you.
c. False flattery: praising the reader to get them to accept the writers view.
d. Veiled threat: alarming or frightening readers into believing author.

11. Judging the writers credibility.

There are three ways that writers establish their credibility.

a. By showing their knowledge of subject (using facts and statistics)
b. By building common ground with readers (base reasoning on shared beliefs)
c. By responding fairly to objections and opposing arguments (does the writer respond to
objections or ignore them and assume everyone agrees with him or her)

12. Analysing the writing in other disciplines.

Other disciplines have traditional ways of writing about their subjects. As a critical reader,
you need to be aware of these differences.
a. What is the subject?
b. What kinds of statements tend to be made about subjects in this field?
c. What key concepts does the reader need to be familiar with?
d. What evidence is valued in this field?
e. How are statistics presented?
f. How is field research presented?
g. How much description and narration is normally used? How much interpretation and
evaluation?
h. How are quotations cited?
i. How are other scholars cited?
j. How is the author identified in the writing?
k. Where was it originally published?
l. Which genres are most commonly used in a particular field?

4. Technical Reading

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A strategy you can use to obtain a great amount of information in a short time from textbooks,
professional journals, and other technical materials.
In using technical reading, you ask yourself the questions the author is trying to ask, and then
read to answer them.
Technical Text Examples:
Cookbooks, correspondence, emails, and user manuals are all examples of technical texts.
Technical texts also include the product descriptions, web content, and reviews which are
essential to e-commerce and the online presence of many businesses.
Examples of Technical Literature • published scientific studies, case studies, and white papers
• technical reports, reviews, presentations, and engineering briefs • datasheets, blueprints, code
descriptions, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and work statements • end-user documentation: user
manuals, handbooks, procedures, assembly guides, technical books, and code manuals •
technical marketing content: product descriptions and specifications, press releases, catalogues,
proposals and pitches, brochures.
Professional Technical Reading skills
• Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse
formats and media.
• Evaluate the question or problem, hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in
a science, engineering, or technical text; corroborate or
challenge conclusions with other information
• Compare and contrast the information gained from investigations, engineering
design processes, simulations, video, research, or multimedia sources with that
gained from reading a text on the same topic.
• Cite specific evidence from the text to support analysis of sc ience, engineering,
and other technical texts.
• Identify the main ideas or conclusions of a technical text; summarize complex
concepts, requirements, processes, or information.
• Follow a multistep procedure when carrying out scientific investigations or
engineering design processes, taking measurements, or performing technical
tasks; analyse the results based on explanations in the text.
• Analyse the structure and organization of a technical text, including how the
major sections contribute to the whole and an understanding of the topic.
• Analyse diagrams, data, visuals, sketches, CAD drawings, and graphics in
conjunction with text.
• Determine the meaning of key terms, symbols, and other discipline-specific
words/phrases.
• Analyse the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure
or process, or discussing an investigation in a technical text.

Benefits of technical reading

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Reading technical books can help to improve an individual's knowledge and skills in a
particular area of expertise. This can lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness in the
workplace. When reading scientific and technical texts, the reader gains knowledge from
challenging texts that often use complex diagrams and data to communicate information and
illustrate concepts.
Benefits:

1. Improved knowledge and skills: Reading technical books can help to

improve an individual's knowledge and skills in a particular area of
expertise. This can lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness in the
workplace.
2. Career advancement: By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and
developments in their field, employees can position themselves for career
advancement.
3. Increased productivity: By improving their knowledge and skills,
employees may be able to work more efficiently, which can increase
productivity.
4. Improved problem-solving: Reading technical books can expose individuals
to new ideas and approaches, which can help to improve their problem-
solving abilities.
Drawbacks:

1. Time-consuming: Reading technical books can be time-consuming, which

may take away from other important work-related tasks.
2. Distraction: Reading technical books at work can be a distraction, which
can negatively impact an individual's focus and productivity.
3. Not always applicable: The information in a technical book may not always
be applicable to the individual's specific job or workplace.
4. Cost: Technical books can be expensive, and the cost of purchasing them
may not be covered by the employer.
5. Limited interaction: Reading technical books at work can be a solitary
activity, which may lack the interaction and feedback that is often needed to
fully understand and apply the material.

Steps for reading a technical paper:

1. Quickly scan the paper or article for headings or headlines.
2. Use the headings to help you create a mind map.
3. Skim the paper and highlight the key sentence or idea in each paragraph.
4. Add the key ideas to the mind map.
5. Read the article and add any items that stand out that have not been noted.
6. Review your mind map.
7. Underline and define any unknown terms.
8. . Summarize your understanding in writing or verbally.

Strategies for Reading Technical Text

• Define technical text and identify various technical documents.

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 • Outline the uses for informational and analytical reports.
• Recognize a unilateral contract.
• Explain the implications of the Uniform Commercial Code
• Analyse textual and non-textual scientific presentations.
• Complete practice problems with charts and graphs of scientific data

5. Literary Reading

Literary reading refers to the act of engaging with and interpreting literary texts, such as novels,
poems, plays, and short stories. It involves a deep analysis and understanding of the various
elements present in the text, including themes, characters, plot, setting, and language. Literary
reading is not just about reading for pleasure; it is a process that requires critical thinking and
interpretation.

It is when readers engage with a literary text to become involved in events, settings, actions,
consequences, characters, atmosphere, feelings, and ideas, and to enjoy language itself.

When engaging in literary reading, readers often delve into the layers of meaning within a text.
They explore the author's intentions, examine the social and historical context in which the
work was written, and analyze the techniques used to convey ideas and emotions. Through this
process, readers gain insights into human experiences, develop empathy for different
perspectives, and expand their understanding of the world.

One of the primary goals of literary reading is to appreciate and evaluate the aesthetic qualities
of a text. This includes examining the use of language, imagery, symbolism, and other literary
devices employed by the author. By paying attention to these elements, readers can uncover
deeper meanings and appreciate the artistry involved in crafting a literary work.

Furthermore, literary reading allows readers to explore complex themes and ideas that are often
presented through narratives. It provides an opportunity to reflect on universal human
experiences such as love, loss, identity, power dynamics, social issues, and philosophical
questions. Through literature, readers can engage with these themes in a safe space where they
can contemplate different perspectives and challenge their own beliefs.

In addition to personal enrichment and intellectual growth, literary reading also offers
numerous cognitive benefits. Research has shown that engaging with literature can enhance
critical thinking skills, improve vocabulary and language proficiency, foster creativity and
imagination, and promote empathy and emotional intelligence. It can also provide an escape
from everyday life by transporting readers to different worlds and allowing them to experience
diverse cultures and time periods.

Moreover, literary reading can be a social activity that fosters connections between individuals.
Book clubs, literature circles, or classroom discussions provide platforms for readers to share
their interpretations, engage in dialogue, and learn from one another's perspectives. These
interactions can deepen the understanding of a text and create a sense of community among
readers.

It is important to note that literary reading is not limited to printed books. With the advent of
digital technology, readers now have access to a wide range of literary texts in various formats,
including e-books, audiobooks, and online platforms. This accessibility has expanded the reach

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of literature and made it more inclusive and diverse.

In conclusion, literary reading is a multifaceted activity that involves the analysis,

interpretation, and appreciation of literary texts. It allows readers to explore complex themes,
gain insights into human experiences, and develop critical thinking skills. Literary reading
offers personal enrichment, cognitive benefits, and opportunities for social interaction. It is a
valuable endeavour that promotes empathy, creativity, and a deeper understanding of ourselves
and the world around us.

Benefits of Literary Reading

• Great literature exercises the imagination.

• Reading literature transports us out of our current context and into other ages and
places.
• Develops language and analytical thinking.
• Enables us to see the world through the eyes of others.
• Great works of literature have played a fundamental role in shaping society.
• Fosters contemplation and reflection and improves our facility with language and
vocabulary.
• Finally, reading literature helps us to know ourselves.

Literary Reading Strategies

Effective literary reading strategies are essential for unlocking the meaning and significance
of literary texts. These strategies help readers to engage with the text, interpret its themes and
motifs, and appreciate its literary devices. Here are some of the most effective literary reading
strategies:

1. Close Reading: Close reading is a methodical and analytical approach to reading that
involves a careful examination of the text's language, structure, and meaning. This strategy
involves slowing down and paying close attention to the words, phrases, and sentences in the
text, as well as the way they are arranged. By doing so, readers can uncover subtle nuances
and layers of meaning that might otherwise go unnoticed.

2. Contextualization: Contextualizing the text involves understanding the historical, cultural,

and social context in which the text was written. This strategy helps readers to appreciate the
text's relevance to the contemporary world and to identify the author's intentions and biases.
By placing the text within its broader context, readers can gain a deeper understanding of its
meaning and significance.

3. Intertextuality: Intertextuality is the practice of reading one text in relation to other texts.
This strategy helps readers to identify connections between different texts and to appreciate
the ways in which they reflect and challenge each other's themes and ideas. By reading texts
in relation to each other, readers can gain a richer understanding of their meaning and
significance.

In addition to these strategies, there are several other effective literary reading strategies that
readers can use to enhance their understanding and appreciation of literary texts. These
include:

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4. Making Connections: Making connections involves identifying the ways in which the text
is connected to the reader's own experiences and to the broader world. This strategy helps
readers to engage with the text on a personal level and to see its relevance to their own lives.

5. Visualizing: Visualizing involves using mental images to understand the text. This strategy
helps readers to create a visual representation of the text's themes, characters, and events, and
to see how they are interconnected. By visualizing the text, readers can gain a deeper
understanding of its meaning and significance.

6. Making Inferences: Making inferences involves drawing conclusions about the text based
on the information that is provided. This strategy helps readers to go beyond the literal
meaning of the text and to identify the author's implied meaning and intentions. By making
inferences, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the text's themes and significance.

In conclusion, effective literary reading strategies are essential for unlocking the meaning and
significance of literary texts. By using a combination of close reading, contextualization,
intertextuality, making connections, visualizing, and making inferences, readers can gain a
deeper understanding of the text's themes, characters, and events, and appreciate its literary
devices and techniques.

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