If You'd Like
To Know Why Reading Matters
by Barbara Freedman-De Vito
Here Are Some of the Reasons Why Reading Is
So Important for Children
Why Do We Tell Children to Read? We're always telling
children that books and reading are good for them,
but have we ever really thought about why that's
true ? Exactly what do older children get out of
reading novels ? What do younger kids get from reading
children's stories and being read to ? Does reading
matter?
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SPEED READING TIPS
Skimming - Will It Improve Your Reading
Speed?
by Melvin Ng
A cornerstone of the ability to speed read is the ability
to skim. However, many argue that skimming is in fact
cheating - i.e. you're not really reading at all! The
following is a brief outline argument in favor of why
skimming will improve your reading speed (and ability).
Basically, skimming is the most rudimentary form of reading.
The object of skim reading is not to necessarily comprehend
all that is being read, but rather to familiarize yourself,
as quickly as possible, with the text being read. In this
regard, skimming materials, by reading the index, subject
headings and sub-headings, allows you to prepare yourself
so that when the time comes, you can race ahead and speed
read at pace - as you are already familiar with the text.
Consequently, your overall reading speed will be vastly
improved.
In addition, skimming allows your subconscious the chance
to absorb the main ideas of a text. These are later cemented
by your speed reading of the contents. The combination
of these two methods allows you greater comprehension
of what you are reading.
Conversely, if you are reading from cold, there is more
chance you'll miss certain points or issues. If you want,
think of it as if you are watching a movie for the second
time: don't you always see parts of the movie the second
time that you didn't see the first, which makes the second
viewing all the more relaxing and pleasurable?
How to Skim Read
Having ascertained that skimming will increase our reading
speed, we now need to know how to skim read. Whilst there
are many different methods adopted to skim reading, the
following are the essential elements:
* read the index of a text - note that it is essential
that you do this so that you get the general ideal of
what the text is about;
* read the introduction paragraph of the text;
* read each heading in the text;
* read each suading in the text;
* read the first paragraph under each heading and su
eading of the text;
* (if you have time) read the first and last line of the
first and last paragraph of each page;
* (if you have time) read the first and last line of each
independent paragraph;
* read the last paragraph of the text - again, this is
very important as it is usually in this section that you'll
find all of the main concepts of the text being summarized
and concluded.
Moreover, when skimming, try using your peripheral eye
vision to identify the main idea of the text, the main
dates in the text (especially if the text relates to historical
issues), and any illustrations/diagrams/graphs.
Finally, when you are skimming, start at the beginning
and read straight through to the end. Do not go back over
what you have already read before you have completed the
whole text as this will defeat the purpose of your skim
reading: in any event, you are going to speed read the
text once more after you have completed your skim read!
Remember, skim reading is not intended to replace any
reading of the material. Its intention is to familiarize
yourself with the text so that you can be fully prepared
to review it once again at a later time.
In the event that you find yourself with insufficient
time to both speed read and skim read a text, you should
not confine your reading to a mere skim read as you may
find that you miss out on vital pieces of data. Besides
this, enjoy your skim reading in the comfort of knowing
it will enable you to increase your overall reading speed!
About the Author
Melvin Ng teaches speed reading through his 16-Minute
Speed Reading Audio Program. This breakthrough technique
Guarantees to Double your reading speed in just 16 minutes!
http://www.bestspeedreadingcourse.com |
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