Reading Comprehension Skills
Introduction
Communication encompasses four core skills, represented by LSRW:
Listening (Receptive)
Speaking (Productive)
Reading (Receptive)
Writing (Productive)
Receptive skills, like listening and reading, enable us to gather information, while productive
skills, like speaking and writing, allow us to express our thoughts. Reading, in particular, is a
major source of information, helping us learn language, understand instructions, gain knowledge,
and even find entertainment.
Four Styles of Reading
1. Skimming
Purpose: Skimming is a technique for gaining a general overview of a text, focusing on
identifying the main ideas without paying attention to details. This is helpful when you
need to understand the basic structure, theme, or argument of the text quickly.
How to Skim:
o Identify Keywords: Focus on keywords that highlight the text’s main topics or
subjects.
o Read Headings and Subheadings: These provide clues about the content and
flow.
o Look for Topic Sentences: The first and last sentences of paragraphs often
contain the main ideas.
o Quickly Scan for Important Information: Skimming over non-essential parts
like examples or detailed descriptions helps maintain speed.
When to Use Skimming:
o When previewing material to decide if it’s worth a deeper read.
o During research to quickly understand if a source is relevant.
o For a quick review before exams or presentations.
2. Scanning
Purpose: Scanning is used to locate specific information within a text without reading
the entire document. Unlike skimming, which is general, scanning is highly targeted and
used when looking for facts or answers to specific questions.
How to Scan:
o Identify Keywords or Questions: Define what you’re looking for—names,
dates, figures, or any specific detail.
o Move Eyes Quickly Across the Page: Scan down the page until you locate your
keyword or phrase.
o Focus on Numbers, Bold, or Italicized Text: Visual markers often point to
important information.
o Pause Only When You Spot Relevant Information: Quickly read and take note
of pertinent data, then resume scanning.
When to Use Scanning:
o When answering questions based on a text (like in exams).
o Looking for data in a report, such as a product’s technical specifications or user
manual.
o Searching a document for a name, term, or reference.
3. Churning
Purpose: Churning is about interpreting and making sense of the information through
analysis and inference. It involves breaking down information, connecting ideas, and
reading “between the lines” to understand deeper meanings.
How to Churn:
o Interpretation: First, summarize the main points to grasp the essential
information. Organize the details based on keywords to get a structured
understanding.
o Inference: Go beyond the stated information to draw conclusions or make
connections based on context, background knowledge, and logic.
o Use Context to Understand Nuances: For example, understand why the author
chose certain words or emphasized particular ideas. Look for underlying
messages or emotions.
Techniques for Churning:
o Contextual Analysis: Identify meanings of complex words or phrases based on
surrounding words.
o Identify Tone and Bias: Recognize if the author is attempting to persuade,
inform, or entertain.
o Look for Patterns: Repeated ideas or keywords may highlight important themes.
When to Use Churning:
o When analyzing literature, articles, or any writing that requires comprehension
beyond face value.
o In academic work or discussions, to understand and critique concepts deeply.
o For extracting meanings, motivations, or implications in historical or narrative
texts.
Techniques for Effective Churning
1. Understanding Word Meaning
o Polysemy: Recognizing words with multiple meanings depending on context.
o Example: “Appreciate” can mean to praise or to increase in value.
2. Using Context Clues
o Unknown words often have contextual clues to help deduce meaning.
o Example: Understanding “procrastination” by context, knowing it relates to
delaying decisions.
3. Root Words
o Familiar roots can provide hints to word meanings (e.g., “hyper” for excess, “-
less” for lack).
4. Reading in Sense Groups
o For dense or complex sentences, reading by sense groups (logical clusters) can
improve comprehension.
5. Building Background Knowledge
o Familiarity with a topic can facilitate faster understanding, especially for technical
or specialized content.
6. Discourse Markers
o Markers like “however,” “therefore,” and “on the other hand” indicate the
direction or purpose of sentences, such as examples, conclusions, or contrasting
opinions.
4. Assimilating
Purpose: Assimilating is a comprehensive reading style used to fully integrate the text’s
knowledge. It involves creating a mental framework, connecting ideas, and internalizing
concepts. The aim is to reach a level where you understand and remember the
information for long-term use.
How to Assimilate:
o Create a Mental Map: Imagine a visual summary or outline of the text’s main
ideas and details. This mental map helps reinforce connections between concepts.
o Personalize the Information: Relate what you read to personal experiences,
other readings, or topics you know. This helps solidify the knowledge.
o Engage with Supplementary Materials: Look up visuals, videos, or other texts
to deepen understanding and create multi-dimensional insights.
o Discuss and Reflect: Share insights with others, discuss interpretations, and
reflect on different perspectives to deepen comprehension.
Steps for Assimilating:
o Review and Summarize: After reading, try summarizing the material in your
own words.
o Connect Information to Broader Knowledge: Link what you read to wider
themes or topics, which makes recall easier.
o Engage in Related Activities: Watching related documentaries or engaging in
discussions can help reinforce and personalize what you've learned.
When to Use Assimilating:
o For studying and retaining complex topics or subjects long-term.
o When deeply engaging with a topic for personal or professional growth.
o When preparing for discussions, presentations, or exams where deep
understanding is necessary.
