Reading is an eye-opener to know some unidentified facts, to vindicate things or

ideas or to know what are some established or conventional concepts or philosophies.

As a person reads, he is given a chance to meet new friends through the writers of the

text that is he reading, aiding him to be accustomed with others’ cultures, norms,

traditions or even aspirations. Furthermore, reading provides a person an avenue to

explore others’ lives without actually meeting or intermingling with them. A person’s

horizon widens and he is able to obtain others’ cultures, norms, traditions and

aspirations. But it is up to him how he will grip those assimilated cultures, norms,

traditions and aspirations through reading. It is up to him if he will apply those learnings

on his life, or if he will share it with others. Thus, enables him to become evaluative and

critical in analyzing concepts acquired.

Reading also empowers people to extract new innovations in the world since

there are lots of discoveries in the world but not all people are given to chance to

recognize those significant facts discovered through the years by notable and reliable

personalities in the society. It also makes a person well-informed of what’s happening

around him concerning issues in politics, economy, culture, health or the environment.

He becomes conscious and compels to take part in resolving those issues as a member

of the society.

Jessie S. Barrot defines reading as a language skill that can be developed

through constant practice. A person can widen his vocabulary by just reading. Moreover,

his writing and speaking skills also improve as he continues to gain new knowledge. But

it could be more meaningful if it will be viewed as an interactive process between the

writer and the reader. As a reader interacts with the text, he questions, analyze the
assertions, adds his own understanding and relate his experience to the message of the

text to make it more meaningful. The reader must have relationship with the author once

he reads the text.