Introduction | Test Yourself | Why Read More Effectively? | Every Word? |
Pacing Yourself | Reading for a Purpose | Getting an Overview |
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Every Word?

This exercise may help convince you that you don't have to read every word of a text to gain an understanding of it. Try and get the main ideas from the following paragraph where over half of the original words have been omitted.

Reading __ not __ passive __ __ __ __ reading critically. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. __ you have __ different point __ view? __ __ supporting material adequate? Don't accept ___ just because __ __ written down. __ __ possible to improve __ speed __ efficiency __ reading, by learning __ __ __ practising __ __ __ skimming __ scanning. __ reading __ __ __ efficient if __ look closer __ __ __ __ __ __ material before delving into __. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ relevant to __ needs, be critical reader. __ __ __ argue with __ writer __ __ disagree with __ __ __ view. Take notes. Make __ reading __ active __, __ __ stimulates __ mind __ __ __ makes __ think about your ideas.

You may want to test your understanding of the above passage by answering the following:

1. Reading should be a passive activity.
2. Practising the skills of skimming and scanning helps improve reading speed.
3. Critical reading involves questioning the writer's point of view.
4. Critical reading helps you think about your own ideas.

Introduction | Test Yourself | Why Read More Effectively? | Every Word? |
Pacing Yourself | Reading for a Purpose | Getting an Overview |
Reading and Studying | Links | Credits & Evaluation