TYPES OF READING TECHNIQUES

1.) Skimming (gist reading) – going through text to grasp the main idea

Ex: reading magazine, newspapers, or searching for a name in a telephone directory

2.) Scanning – quick scuttling through sentences to locate a specific piece of information

3.) Intensive Reading – attention to detail that aims at the accuracy of comprehension; readers’ must
understand every word

4.) Extensive Reading – emphasis on fluency; reading for pleasure

READING COMPREHENSION

Reading comprehension is the ability to read the text, process it and understand its meaning. It
relies on two interconnected abilities: word reading and language comprehension.
 PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

1.) Organization – arrangement of text that refers to the structural framework for writing; logical
progression and completeness of ideas

Techniques to achieve organization:

 Text structure – framework of a text’s beginning, middle, and end.

 Signal words
 Physical format

2.) Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence – sentences are arranged logically; understandable

Cohesion – connectedness of ideas at sentence level
Uses Signal Devices

A. Transitions – words that smoothly connect one idea from the other

 Time - first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after, simultaneously, finally,
next, in the meantime, later, eventually, then, meanwhile, now, subsequent
“When did it happen?”
 Sequence – moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, also, finally, last, another, first, second,
third, besides, additionally
“In what order?”
 Space – above, next to, below, behind, beside
“Where is it?”
 Illustration – for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case, to illustrate
“Like what?”
 Comparison – similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in comparison, too
“It is similar to…”
 Contrast - but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand, although, on the
contrary, otherwise, conversely
“It is different…”
 Cause and Effect - because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since
“It is because of…”
 Conclusion - thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short
“So in summary…”
B. Synonyms – words similar in meaning to avoid tedious repetitions

C. Pronouns – words that connect readers to the original word they replace

3. Language use – refers to the appropriateness of word usage

Business/Technical jargons of specific disciplines like scientific terms and special

expression
Academic/Standard widely accepted words
Personal/Informal slang, local expressions, text messaging
Six Characteristics of Effective Language

SHOULD BE NOT
Concrete and specific Vague and abstract
- particular
Concrete Verbose
- minimal, effective
Familiar Obscure
- easily recognizable
Precise Ambiguous
- closest to meaning
Constructive Defensive
- expresses a potentially negative in a
positive way
Appropriately formal