purpose for reading should influence the way one chooses and approaches a text.

Typically scan the

text for a specific information or a specific word • To skim sampling segments of the text for general
understanding • A combination of strategies to find the location of the information and use basic
reading comprehension skills to obtain a general idea about the text .For example, a student in search
of a specific item of information might skim quickly or, in the case of digital text, perform a keyword
search. A student with a different purpose, such as analyzing the viewpoint in a controversial
documentary, would need to carefully follow the logic of the premise and evaluate the facts used to
support it. Teachers help students realize that one’s purpose can change as one engages with a text,
and that new strategies may flow from a revised purpose. For example, a student who starts out by
skimming a text for a fact may encounter an engrossing argument and decide to slow down, read
more carefully, and then reread. Accomplished teachers help students set purposes for reading and
viewing, leading them to develop and articulate their own purposes and strategies. Ultimately,
students will employ these skills in disciplines other than English language arts. For example, when
solving a mathematical equation, students understand the necessity of going slowly, taking things
apart, and checking understanding. In social studies and science, students learn to pay close
attention to features such as headings and subheadings to identify main ideas and chunks of
information

Purpose of Reading
Some of the reasons why people usually read:

• Pleasure and enjoyment

• Practical application
• To obtain an overview
• To locale-specific information
• To identify the central idea or theme
• To develop a detailed and critical understanding
1. Pleasure and Enjoyment
This is probably the best reason to read anything. You have chosen
the material for the purpose of enjoying yourself. Reading
entertains you, even relaxes you. However, this will rarely be the
purpose behind the reading one needs to do for academic
purposes.
2. Practical Application
Here the purpose is to gain information that you can apply or use in
a practical situation. Books such as laboratory manuals, computer
manuals, instruction booklets, and recipe books are all texts that
you would consult with the purpose of gaining specific information.

3. To Get an Overview
The point here is to get a general feel for the material, to determine
whether it is relevant, useful, up·to-date, and to get a sense of how
the topic is treated by the author. This is likely to be the main
purpose behind your reading when:

See also Barriers to Effective Listening

• You are given an extensive reading list for an assignment.

• You are doing initial library research for an essay, tutorial, research
report or similar assignments.

• You need to decide which texts are most relevant or useful for
your assignment.

4. To Locate Specific Information

Sometimes you know what you are looking for but do not know
exactly where to find it. For example, you might be looking for any
of the following:

• A specific quotation
• Evidence to support a particular argument
• Details about a specific person or event
• A map
 • A diagram
• A statistic or table of statistics

To find this sort of information might mean that you have to consult
several books or sources. In these circumstances, you will be
reading with the aim of zeroing in on the information you are
looking for.

5. To Identify The Central Idea Of the Theme

The purpose here is to extract the essence of what the written
material is trying to convey. For example, you might want to identify
the major finding in an experimental article in a journal, or the core
issue of a discussion paper.

6. To Develop a Detailed and Critical

Understanding
On many occasions, you will need to masterfully the material in a
book, journal article, or manual so that you can evaluate its
arguments, perspective, and/or evidence. This will require you to:

• Read the material thoroughly.

• Make effective and relevant notes.
• Keep an open mind by being aware of your own ideas
and opinions regarding the issues involved.