TECHNIQUES IN

READING
1. SKIMMING – A STRATEGY USED TO GET ONLY THE MAIN IDEAS
OF A WRITTEN TEXT IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT THE MATERIAL IS
ALL ABOUT.

1.1 Previewing – involves giving the material a general look in order to know
what the material contains
1.2 Overviewing – taking a look at the title, chapter, or heading.
1.3 Surveying – giving the text a rundown from first section to the last
section
2. SCANNING – USED TO SEARCH ONLY
FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION NEEDED
3. COMPREHENSIVE – A TECHNIQUE THAT
REQUIRES PROCESSING OF THE TEXT FOR FULL
UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATERIAL.
4. CRITICAL – A TECHNIQUE WHICH INVOLVES AN
ANALYSIS OF THE CLAIMS PRESENTED IN THE TEXT
USING CONTEXTUAL CLUES
CONTEXT CLUES – ARE THE WORDS, PHRASES AND
SENTENCES THAT WOULD HELP YOU TO DECIPHER THE
MEANING OF DIFFICULT WORDS IN THE SELECTION.
USE OF SYNONYMS AS CONTEXT
CLUES
Synonyms appear in a sentence in the following ways:
A. by Dashes (She finds solace – comfort – in the countryside.
B. by commas to separate the appositive ( The advocates, supporters, of anti-mining
formed a rally outside the building.)
C. by Parentheses (The local residents are among the hordes (a large group of people)
who lined up to take their chance in their contest.
D. by Reinstatement or Expression of the word in a more familiar term (The smiles of
these little children are guileless. They show innocence and no deception.)
 USE OF ANTONYMS AS CONTEXT CLUES

Antonyms are recognized in a sentence through any word which presents opposite
meanings like but, although, despite, instead, in contrast, unlike, however, even though, on
the contrary, conversely, etc.
 EXAMPLES:

1. His siblings are generous and giving but she is so stingy.

a. Generous is the opposite of stingy.
b. Stingy, then, means unwillingness to share to others.

2. As an optimist, Lara looks for a brighter future. However, there are

times due to problems she cannot help but to become a pessimist.
a. Optimist is the antonym of pessimist. Pessimist means a person who expects the
worse in everything.
USE OF EXAMPLES AS CONTEXT CLUES

Examples are list of illustrations which make the unfamiliar word clearer.
 EXAMPLES

1. Lyn is on diet. However, she still ate a portion of everything served like a small piece of meat,
a small piece of bread, and a small piece of cake.
- Portion – anything of small serving

2. Nutritious food, such as fruits and vegetables, help our bodies grow.
- Nutritious – any food that makes us healthy
USE OF COMPARISON AS CONTEXT CLUES

Comparison involves identifying the similarities of two or more things, places or events. It is
indicated by words such as:
Like the same as
Similar to both
As (good) as alike
Similarly also
Likewise so is
Too as well
EXAMPLE:

1. Manuel is determined to prove his innocence. His mother is resolute as well.

- Resolute means determined.
COMPREHENSIVE READING

- Is simply the understanding of what you read. Comprehension is determined by

answering questions about the selection read. Furthermore, it includes predicting,
summarizing, and critical thinking.
INFERRING THE MAIN IDEA

• Inferring – a comprehensive skill which involves the use of information presented in the
text and connecting it to your own knowledge. The interconnection of the author’s text
and your schema would enable you to make inferences or guesses about the text.
LEVELS OF COMPREHENSION

1. Literal comprehension – involves understanding of the message directly stated in the text.

2. Inferential comprehension – means that you as a reader is able to make inferences, draw
conclusions and predict outcomes from information implicitly stated in the text.

3. Applied comprehension – is how you are able to use your own experiences and prior
knowledge into the written text in making an evaluation.
ACTIVITY. S – SYNONYMS E - EXAMPLES
A – ANTONYMS C – COMPARISON

1. Some city dwellers are affluent while some live in poverty.

2. People with phobias, such as fear of heights, fear of water, are difficult to cure.
3. Famous conquistadors include Cortes, who conquered Aztec Mexico and Pizzaro,
who conquered Inca Peru.
4. The book of logic contained many conundrums – mind-exercising puzzles.
5. Fluoroscopy (examination with a fluoroscope)n has become a common practice.
6. A sleuth, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes.
7. When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it goes darker, they
dilate.
8. Jack was filled with shame of her low grades similarly Toni feels mortification because he failed
the test.
9. Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon and trout live in the coldest parts of the ocean.
10. Tony loves the ending of the story it is similar to the feelings of Oliver when he read the
denouement of The Little Prince.