Reading and Writing Skills
READING and IMPORTANCE OF READING
WRITING
R
eading 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.
Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding
symbols in order to construct or derive meaning (reading
comprehension). Reading is a means of language acquisition, of
communication, and of sharing information and ideas. Like all
languages, it is a complex interaction between the text and the
reader which is shaped by the reader’s prior knowledge,
experiences, attitude, and language community which is
culturally and socially situated. The reading process requires
continuous practice, development, and refinement. In addition,
reading requires creativity and critical analysis.
Reading literacy is the ability to use the symbols of a
writing system. It is the ability to interpret what the information
symbols represent, and to be able to re-create those same
symbols so that others can derive the same meaning. Illiteracy is
not having the ability to derive meaning from the symbols used
in a writing system.
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Reading and Writing Skills
1. Expose Yourself to New Things
Through reading, you expose yourself to new things, new
information, new ways to solve a problem, and new ways to
achieve one thing. Who knows – you might find your new
hobbies within it? Exploration begins from reading and
understanding.
2. Self Improvement
Through reading, you begin understand the world more.
Through reading, you begin to have a greater understanding on
a topic that interest you; for example: how to build self
confidence, how to make plan better before taking action, how
to memorize things better and more.
3. Improve Understanding
The more you read, the more you understand one thing: the
A to Z of a thing. Let me give an example here: reading allows
you learn more about crocodiles and their habits. That you need
to be aware of places it usually lurks for, the purpose of staying
away from being harmed or bitten.
4. Preparation to Action
Reading is an essential way which can help you out. In today’s
world, getting reviews and feedback from other people can
make a big impact on your next decision, and the pros and cons
of each choice. Read about how to cook a meal; how to play
chess; which place is nice for the holiday family trip; read the
menu before ordering food, read the manual before using a new
gadget. These all can help you become more prepared before
you really get into it.
 Reading and Writing Skills Reading and Writing Skills

5. Gain Experience from Other People to more and more to things you knew, and things you just learn,
When you are reading, you are actually gaining the knowledge structuring new solutions and answers.
and experience of someone. It can hasten your success towards
a goal, as you don’t need to repeat the same mistake while TECHNIQUES IN SELECTING AND
focusing on the right path in achieving one thing. It’s like a ORGANIZING INFORMATION
mountain of gems for you to discover in books, which contain
people’s successes, failures and advice. BRAINSTORMING
– one of the better and more popular methods of discovering
6. Tools of Communicating
your writing topic. All you need to do is begin at the top of a
Through reading, you build a more solid foundation for sheet paper and list down everything that comes into your mind
communication. It is one of the most important tools we use as fast as you can for a certain amount of time (say, five
every day to connect with each other. Whereas if you don’t minutes, for example). The aim of the brainstoring exercise is
read, you can’t even connect with the world and what people not to produce a logical flow of ideas but to provide yourself
are talking about out there, including understanding what this with as many choices for your topic as possible.
article is all about. Reading connects you with the world.
Example of Brainstorming List:
Southeast Asia Hatred of Science and
7. Connecting Your Brain Superheroes: Iron Man, Math
Captain America, Hulk Jose Rizal dying at Luneta
When reading, you’re in full silence Park
because reading connects directly to Eating halo-halo on April
Morning Basketball is better than
your brain. In silence, you seek for volleyball
White Beaches in Boracay K to 12 Education in
more; in silence, your brain is clear Taylor Swift, Demi Philippine High Schools
and focuses. Thus, you learn and Lovato, Miley Cyrus Defense of the Ancients II
grow, and therefore you feel and see Patintero (DOTA II)
from the point of view of the author about everything in life. The Parable of the Life in Outer Space
Hence you shape a better self. Prodigal Son Grandparents who live in
Buying my first ever Ilocos Norte
cellphone
8. Boost Imagination and Creativity Tikbalang
Fear of cockroaches
Reading exposes you to a world of imagination, showing you
nothing is impossible in this world. By reading, you are
exploring a different angle to see a thing you’ve known, on how
different action leads to different results. Books are beyond After listing all your ideas, browse through them and
imagination. It’s like a huge spider web, where you keep linking pick the one that best appeals to you, or the one you know best.
You will be surprised at how broad your selection of topics can

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 Reading and Writing Skills Reading and Writing Skills

be, about how much you actually already knew. You can also try column, 'L', is for what the students learned about the topic
to connect your ideas, and see what meaning you can create. from the reading.
3. VENN DIAGRAM is a tool that shows all possible logical
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER relations between a finite
collection of sets. From
A graphic organizer is a visual display that demonstrates the classroom to the
relationships between facts, concepts or ideas. A graphic boardroom, a venn
organizer guides the learner’s thinking as they fill in and build diagram graphic organizer
upon a visual map or diagram. They are also informally used as is something that can be
a term to describe all visual learning strategies such as concept regarded as being a useful
mapping, webbing, mind mapping, and more. tool.
TYPES OF GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS
1. With STORYBOARD templates, you get a visual organizer 4. MIND MAP is a versatile tool which is widely used by
which helps students students for note taking,
work together on brainstorming, studying,
writing to understand memorizing, planning and
and remember the story structuring information.
better. It’s great for The truth is that, mind
discussing story maps help clarify students'
structures and exploring ideas in pretty much
the varied ways in anything.
which the author works
with time. 5. PERSUASION MAP is quite an effective tool which
assists students map out their arguments for a persuasive
2. KWL CHART (‘Know-Wonder-Learn’) – is divided into debate or essay.
three columns. The first column, 'K', is to note down the
points for what the students already know about a topic
before reading. The next column, 'W', is for students to list
what they want to learn
about the topic before
reading. The last

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 Reading and Writing Skills Reading and Writing Skills

brainstorming session. It immediately sorts ideas into useful

categories.

6. In CLUSTER/ WORD WEB TOPIC OUTLINE

CHART, the students are
expected to write the topic in
discussion in the centre circle Topic outline arranges your ideas hierarchically
and the details in the smaller (showing which are main and which are sub-points), in the
surrounding circles. sequence you want, and shows what you will talk about. As the
name implies, it identifies all the little mini-topics that your
paper will comprise, and shows how they relate.

7. ISP Chart (Information- Sources-Page) This chart would I. Family Problems

come in handy for students who are trying to compile the
list of references for any project or thesis they are working A. Custodial: Non-custodial Conflicts
on.
B. Extended Family
C. Adolescent's Age
II. Economic Problems
A. Child Support
B. Women's Job Training
C. Lower Standard of Living
D. Possible Relocation
8. The FISHBONE DIAGRAM identifies many possible
causes for an effect or 1. Poorer Neighborhood
problem. It can be 2. New School
used to structure a
III. Peer Problems
A. Loss of Friends

B. Relationships with Dates

 Reading and Writing Skills Reading and Writing Skills

SENTENCE OUTLINE

A sentence outline does all of this, plus it shows exactly

what you will say about each mini-topic. Each sentence, instead
of simply identifying a mini-topic, is like a mini-thesis
statement about that mini-topic. It expresses the specific and
complete idea that that section of the paper will cover as part of
proving the overall thesis.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON ADOLESCENTS

I. When family conflicts arise as a result of divorce, adolescents suffer.

A. During the first year, these young people may be depressed due to
conflicts between the custodial and non-custodial parents.
B. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are often restricted by visitation
provisions.
C. Almost without exception, adolescents find divorce very painful,
but they react in differing degrees depending on their age.
II. Some of the most negative effects on adolescents may be associated
with economic problems.
A. The family will most probably experience a lower standard of
living due to the cost of maintaining two households.
B. Some female custodial parents have poor job skills and must train
before entering the job market.
C. The lower standard of living may result in misunderstanding and
conflicts within the family.
D. The decreased standard of living, particularly for an untrained
female custodial parent, often causes relocation.
1. The family may have to move to a poorer neighborhood in
order to cut costs.
2. As a result, the adolescent may have to attend a different
school.
III. Adolescents from divorced families often experience peer problems.
A. Due to relocation and prejudice, adolescents may
lose friends.
B. The lack of a solid relationship with both
parents affects an adolescent's attitude toward the
opposite sex.