Reading Skills

What are reading skills?

Reading skills refer to the ability to understand written text, enabling readers to think critically and deeply comprehend the message.

What are the three main reading-comprehension skills?

1. Literal comprehension (identifying simple facts in the text) 2. Evaluative comprehension (making judgments about the content) 3. Inferential comprehension (connecting the text to other passages and situations).

What types of texts might students be expected to read at university?

Lecture slides, books, journal articles, internet articles, newspapers, research reports, literature reviews, case studies, and strategic plans.

What are some main sources of information for university students?

Library, internet (Google Scholar, e-journals), lectures, recommended texts, experts (e.g. TV, radio), fellow students (seminars, discussions), and self-innovation.

What is the role of the library in academic reading?

A library provides access to physical and digital publications, often with retrieval systems (catalogues, databases) to locate resources by author, title, or subject.

What caution should be taken when using internet sources?

Not all internet sources are produced by experts; always assess the authority and credibility of the author or source.

What are examples of other sources of information besides the library and internet?

Lectures, tutorials, handouts, recommended and prescribed texts, media (radio, TV, movies), seminars, discussions, and personal innovation.

What are some ways to locate information in written work besides reading cover to cover?

Using illustrations, table of contents, preface, appendix, glossary, and index.

What is an illustration in a book?

A visual representation (picture or diagram) used to clarify information or make subjects easier to understand.

What is a table of contents?

A list of the parts of a book or document, organized in order with chapters and subtopics, including page numbers.

What is a preface?

A section at the beginning of a book with explanatory remarks about the content, purpose, and intended audience.

What is an appendix?

Supplementary material attached at the back of a book, related to but not included in the main text.

What is a glossary?

A list of specialized terms with definitions, usually found at the back of a book to help readers understand unfamiliar terms.

What is an index?

An alphabetical listing of names, words, and topics with page numbers indicating where they are discussed in the text.

Why do students read at university?

To prepare for lectures and tutorials, review information, conduct research for assignments, and revise for exams.

What higher-level reading abilities do university students need?

Critiquing and evaluating texts, comparing and contrasting them, and applying useful information.

What is scanning as a reading strategy?

A technique for seeking out specific facts or keywords quickly, useful for locating new concepts or terminology and assessing a text’s relevance.

What is skimming as a reading strategy?

A method for quickly getting the gist of a text by reading only some sentences (such as topic or concluding sentences) to decide what to read carefully and where to begin.

How does skimming benefit academic reading?

It helps identify whether to continue reading, what to read in detail, and maximizes interest and understanding before careful reading.