Reading

The main types of reading are:

(1) the quick-reference type to obtain specific information, to answer questions and to follow directions;

(2) the study type (including analytical, critical reading) to master ideas or principles and to organise, interpret, and evaluate facts; and

(3) the aesthetic type (including leisure-time, recreational reading) to derive immediate enjoyment and appreciation.

This chapter offers suggestions for improvement in these types of reading:

PREPARATION FOR READING

The efficient reader has formed the habit of making systematic preparations for reading. He considers alternative, decides what to read and for what purpose, and constructs a plan to which he adheres. Systematic plaing and a firm schedule are necessary. If you decide to read only portions of a book, make sure to select all the important parts and any other helpful to clear understanding, and remember that most books must be read thoroughtly, not as scattered "bits and patches". Frequently, the meaning of one passage will be colored by ideas set forth in preceding passages.

Before starting to read, ask yourself these preliminary questions: Is the material worth much time, or should you merely overview or skim through it? What questions do you expect the book to answer? What did the author have in mind, and for whom did he write the material? Should you read it immediately or later? What assumptions or preconceptions have you formed about the subject matter? Read a few paragraphs aloud to ascertain the author's approach and style. Anticipate difficulties you may encounter in read his discussion. If you decide to study the material in detail, set aside enough time for this purpose and discipline yourself to avoid distractions.

Time Allotment. Inefficient readers tend either (1) to read a single topic for many hours without respite, resulting in boredom and uncritical interpretation, or (2) to hurry through the material with poor comprehension .
Avoid both extremes. If you concentrate on the material over a long period but feel that you are not making satisfactory progress, change to some other type of subject or activity for awhile, and then go back to it for a second attempt. Even then, however, do not mistake partial for thorough mastery; do not assume that you have learned a subject in depth because you have read and reread a book quickly from begining to end. Check, recheck, and react to the author's central themes and ideas. Divide reading material into logical sections and review each section critically as often as necessary before going on to the next.