Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF BOTOLAN

(Formerly Botolan Community College)
Botolan Zambales
E-mail: polytechniccollegeofbotolan@gmail.com
Website: pcbzambales.com
Contact Number 0949-155-3113

College Department Certificate in Professional Education (CPE)

Course Code EDMS 8
Course Title Developmental Reading
Place of Course in the Program Major
Semester and Academic Year First Semester AY 2021-2022

Basic Techniques in Reading Comprehension / December 13-17, 2021@11:59 pm

MODULE 11

A BASIC TECHNIQUES IN READING COMPREHENSION

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Application of the suggested technique in reading comprehension

2. Acquired regard for reading as an art form

INTRODUCTION

At this point, you may be groping for an effective method which can be applied for improved
reading comprehension. Is it enough to simply read and read, especially print materials assigned or
recommended by your teachers? At the same time, is there a technique which can help you acquire the
skill for effective and enlightened reading?

DISCUSSIONS

For a long time, reading specialists grappled with the problem of finding ways in which the mind
can effectively work in perceiving reading symbols. In general, they perceived that the poor reader loafs
along the print material, compared with the excellent reader whose eyes race over the lines gathering
meaningful ideas at each glance on the printed page. In time, experts found out that the reader should
cultivate the habit of reading for ideas, and not read one word at a time thinking of the meaning of
separate words. This was described by experts as "seeing the woods for the trees."

Module 11 – Basic Techniques in Reading Comprehension / December 13-17, 2021@11:59 pm

 Let the eye movements take care of themselves," the experts added to say. What must be done,
they suggested, is the adoption of the habit of picking up one complete thought after another. Let us
therefore illustrate this learning idea from a text borrowed from the book "College thinking" by Dr. Jack
Meiland.

Firstly, this is the instance of a poor reader who takes in meaning word for word- Active/
reading/ not/ only/ produces/ understanding/ but allows/ you/ to/ appreciate/ the text/ as/ al work/ of
art./"

Note: The beginner reader finds this pattern of word-for-word reading comfortable certainly
find this method of reading tiresome and unnecessary.

Let's look at the second instance representing the average reader using the succeeding portion
of the text.

Note: The average and more mature reader has improved his reading habit by picking up longer
thought units in which he gets meaning from the text.

A third instance is the good reader who has taken in larger units at a time, taking in an increased
and longer unit of meaning, From the rest of the text:

“And so you can and should admire/ the composition of a text-the harmony and shapeliness of
the whole/ the way in which the parts fit together, refer to one another, and support each other/ the
avoidance of excess, the balance of elements."/

ACTIVITY
From your comprehension of the above quoted text, answer the following questions:

1. Is reading a passive activity? Explain.

2. What is the difficulty about floating and picking up meaning word-for-word?
3. Think of arts appreciation. How is a painting appreciated? A piece of sculpture? A building? A dance'?
How can we appreciate a book similar to an art form?
4. How would you interpret Francis Bacon's statement: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be
swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is some books are to be read only in parts;
others to be read but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly and with diligence and attention."

Module 11 – Basic Techniques in Reading Comprehension / December 13-17, 2021@11:59 pm