INTENSIVE & EXTENSIVE

READING

Content: Extensive Vs Intensive Reading

Comparison Chart

Definition

Key Differences

Conclusion
Intensive Reading:
It is close and careful reading of a text, which is one often a
fairly short one. It aims at accuracy of comprehension. It
requires reader’s great attention. It takes time, effort and
accuracy of details. It is useful in learning a foreign language
where comprehension of each and every word is essential. Definition
Example:
Some possible examples of intensive reading material
are reports, contracts, news articles, blog posts and short
pieces of text such as short stories.
Extensive Reading:
Extensive reading is done for enjoyment. In this type of
reading the reader reads for long period of time. It is done
outside the classroom. It is related with fluency and done
silently and rapidly. It is meant for information or simply for
pleasure. It cannot be used for language learning but it is
used for novel reading.
Definition
Example:
Possible examples of extensive reading material
are magazines, graded readers, novels and, yes, even comic
books. For example, when we read our favourite story book
or novel, we enjoy it and want to read it for longer period of
time.
 BASIS
FOR COMPARIS EXTENSIVE READING INTENSIVE READING
ON
Meaning Extensive reading is an approach Intensive Reading is a reading
to language learning in which method wherein learners are
long text and a large amount supposed to read the short
of material are read by the text carefully and deeply so as to
students for gain maximum understanding.
general understanding.
Nature Supplementary Comprehensive

Purpose For acquiring information or for For understanding the literal

pleasure. meaning of the text.
Covers Reading of novels, magazines, Reading of textbooks.
newspaper.
Material Reading material is selected by Reading material is decided and
Selection the individual himself. recommended by the teachers.

Reading of a number of books on Reading of a book again and

Involves
a similar concept or subject. again to extract its literal
meaning.
Comparison Chart
Use of dictionary No Yes

Helpful in Developing reading fluency Developing reading skills,

vocabulary and grammatical
knowledge.
 Key Differences Between Extensive and
Intensive Reading
Intensive Reading
I. Intensive reading is concerned with
classroom learning, wherein the student
is compelled to read some text as many
times as required to deeply understand
the topic.
II. The primary focus of intensive reading is II.
to understand the literal meaning of the
text being read.
III. Intensive reading is all about textbook
reading.
Extensive Reading
I. In extensive reading the reader reads
multiple books, newspaper, magazines
etc. to get a general understanding of
the topic of their interest.
Extensive reading is reading for fun,
entertainment and pleasure, as well as
to gain a basic understanding of
something.
III. Extensive reading involves a reading of
novels, journals, Newpaper and
Magazines.