Introduction

Reading is a crucial skill for mastering English proficiency. Effective reading strategies help improve comprehension, speed, and retention. This lesson focuses on four essential reading strategies: scanning, skimming, inferencing, and predicting.

1. Scanning

Definition: Scanning is a reading technique used to find specific information quickly without reading every word. It involves moving your eyes rapidly down the page to locate keywords or phrases.

When to Use:

• Looking up a word in a dictionary
• Finding a specific date or number in a text
• Searching for a particular section in a document

How to Practice:

1. Identify Keywords: Before scanning, determine the specific information you need.
2. Move Your Eyes Quickly: Sweep your eyes across the text in a zigzag or vertical pattern.
3. Use Visual Cues: Look for headings, bold or italicized words, and bullet points.

Example Exercise: Find the phone number for customer support in a product manual.

2. Skimming

Definition: Skimming is a technique for getting the gist or main idea of a text without reading it in detail. It involves reading quickly to understand the overall message.

When to Use:

• Reviewing a book before a test
• Getting the main points of an article
• Browsing through a magazine

How to Practice:

1. Read the Title and Subtitles: These give you an idea of the topic.
2. Focus on the First and Last Sentences: These often summarize the paragraphs.
3. Look for Keywords and Phrases: These help identify important points.

Example Exercise: Skim an article to find out the main argument and key supporting points.

3. Inferencing

Definition: Inferencing involves using context clues and prior knowledge to understand meanings that are not explicitly stated in the text. It requires reading between the lines.

When to Use:

• Understanding implied meanings
• Reading literature or complex texts
• Answering comprehension questions

How to Practice:

1. Use Context Clues: Pay attention to the words around the unfamiliar word or phrase.
2. Relate to Prior Knowledge: Think about what you already know about the topic.
3. Ask Questions: Consider who, what, where, when, why, and how to understand the underlying meaning.

Example Exercise: Read a paragraph and infer the emotions of the characters or the author’s attitude.

4. Predicting

Definition: Predicting involves anticipating what will happen next in a text based on clues provided in the material and your own experience.

When to Use:

• Engaging with a story or novel
• Making sense of a complex argument
• Preparing for what comes next in a lecture or presentation

How to Practice:

1. Look for Clues: Pay attention to headings, subheadings, pictures, and graphs.
2. Use Prior Knowledge: Think about similar texts you have read.
3. Make Logical Guesses: Based on the information provided, predict the next part of the text.

Example Exercise: After reading the first chapter of a novel, predict what will happen next in the story.

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