Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the reading techniques involved in fast reading; 2. Describe the reading techniques involved in slow reading; and 3. Apply the reading techniques discussed into your own reading.

Purpose of Reading  To get an overview  To locate specific information  Practical application  To develop detailed and analytical understanding  Reading for pleasure/Free-range reading

1. Fast reading Fast reading is for the following purposes:  Gain an overview or background information of a topic;  Locate specific information;  Identify if the material is relevant to your needs; and  Know what the content is all about.

a) Scanning  Done when you want to locate specific information quickly and efficiently  Quick absorption of the content  Read no more than necessary Example: Looking up a number in a telephone directory

How to Scan? 1. Look at the table of contents (TOC) 2. Read the chapter headings and subheadings 3. Go to the relevant sections of the book and read the first paragraph or the section headings 4. Search the index for keywords 5. Look out for hints ie. Words in bold, italics, underlined, subheadings.

b) Skimming  Done when you need to cover a large amount of material in a short time and not looking for anything in particular  Get good general impression of what the material is all about

How to Skim? 1. Read the headings in bold typeface 2. Search through the text very quickly – read the first and last paragraphs; note keywords 3. Move your eyes in zig-zag manner – left to right, then down

2. Slow reading Slow reading allows you to:  Analyse and understand;  Evaluate and be critical;  Remember the information you read; and  Follow instructions.

Two approaches: Analytical Approach  Used when you need to understand terminology, follow instructions or remember what you have read. Critical Approach  Used when you need to evaluate the material you are reading.

SQ3R  An active and systematic approach to reading academic material  S = Survey  Q = Question  R = Read  R = Recite  R = Review

S = survey  Surveying the material to get the best overview of the information content.  Scan and skim through the material.

Q = question  Ask appropriate questions to provide focus in reading.  Read section by section and ask questions.

R = read  Question yourself while reading and try to answer.  Read slowly for difficult passages.  Read rapidly by focusing on keywords.  Stop and look closer at parts which are not clear.

R = recite  Recite for comprehension – ask questions, take notes, highlights, rewrite.  Organise information in your mind after each reading by doing mental maps.  Check your recall against the book – speak, listen.

R = review  Review your notes  Understand the material you have read.

Summary of Your Reading When reading, gather these information to get an overview of the content of the reading material:  Date  Title of Book  Essay or article  Author  Publishing details  Subject  Main point(s)  Comments  Important information  Related works

Table of Contents  Table of Contents provide: A general idea of the module’s content. Able to see the module’s structure & specific topics  This module comprises 10 topics that provide you with specific information

The Course Guide  Provides an overview of the course.  Consists of: Introduction Course Audience Study Schedule Course Objectives Course Synopsis Prior Knowledge

Getting Acquainted with the Course Content  Read the content itself.  Notice the different icons and what they represent.

Learning Skills: Reading for Information by Open University Malaysia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License.Open University MalaysiaCreative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License Based on a work at Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at