Reading Skills: Importance, Purpose, Techniques and SQ3R - BCPS- 2.2.

 

Reading Skills: Importance, Purpose, and Powerful Techniques

Reading is not just about moving your eyes across a page. If that were the case, everyone skimming WhatsApp forwards would be a scholar. Real reading is about understanding, connecting, and thinking. That’s where reading skills come in.

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld7MQgQFwjA

Importance and Purpose of Reading Skills

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, interpret, and make sense of written text. It’s not optional—it’s foundational.

Strong reading skills are essential because they:

• Support academic success across all subjects

• Enable lifelong learning beyond classrooms and exams

• Help readers understand different kinds of texts such as:

  • Textbooks

  • Research papers

  • News articles

  • Literary works

Good comprehension doesn’t stop at understanding words. It sharpens:

• Critical thinking

• Effective communication

• Engagement with complex ideas

In short: read well, think well, communicate well. Simple math.

Techniques of Reading: Skimming and Scanning

Different reading goals need different strategies. You don’t read a novel the same way you read an exam question paper (unless you enjoy chaos).

Skimming

Skimming means reading quickly to get a general idea of the text—without diving into details.

Before reading in depth, skim to understand:

• Who the text is written for
  (general public, professionals, students, laypersons)

• What type of text it is
  (article, report, formal letter, advertisement, etc.)

• The author’s purpose
  (to inform, describe, explain, instruct, or persuade)

• The overall content and direction of the text

Skimming saves time and gives your brain a roadmap. Never start reading blind—your brain hates surprises.

Scanning

Scanning is used when you are searching for specific information.

You scan when you:

• Look for a word meaning in a dictionary

• Search for a telephone number

• Find a date, name, or keyword in a text

Unlike skimming, scanning is focused and selective. You ignore everything else and zoom in like a laser.

Poor Reading Recognition: Why Comprehension Fails

Poor comprehension doesn’t happen without reasons. Common causes include:

• Difficulty understanding individual words

• Trouble grasping sentence meanings

• Inability to connect ideas between sentences

• Problems integrating information into a complete idea

• Lack of interest or concentration

• Limited vocabulary

• Mental or situational factors such as stress or fatigue

Bottom line: if the mind is distracted or the vocabulary is weak, comprehension suffers—no matter how long you stare at the page.

The SQ3R Technique: Importance and Application

SQ3R is a scientific and systematic reading strategy that helps readers understand, remember, and review texts effectively.

SQ3R stands for:
Survey – Question – Read – Recite/Recall – Review

This technique helps readers understand the structure and organization of a text and gives clear direction on how to proceed.

1. Survey

Before attacking the text, get an overview—just like understanding a problem before solving it.

Survey by:

• Reading the title, subtitles, headings, and subheadings

• Skimming chapter summaries

• Observing illustrations and captions

• Noting highlighted or bolded words

• Reading the introduction and conclusion

Surveying prepares your brain for what’s coming. Think of it as a movie trailer for the chapter.

2. Question

Asking questions improves focus and clarity.

For example, when checking a passport, we naturally ask:

• Is my name correct?

• What is the expiry date?

• When should I apply for renewal?

Similarly, while reading, questions help:

• Clarify information

• Check accuracy

• Improve engagement

Good readers are curious readers.

3. Read

Now comes focused reading.

While reading:

• Concentrate on main ideas and supporting details

• Adjust reading speed:

  • Slow down for complex or dense texts

  • Speed up for simple or familiar content

• Make notes where necessary

Reading without thinking is just eye exercise—don’t waste your time.

4. Recite / Recall

After reading, stop and recall the main points.

At this stage:

• Remember key ideas and details

• Recite them in your own words

• Say them aloud or write them down

This step strengthens memory and understanding. If you can explain it, you’ve learned it.

5. Review

Finally, test yourself.

• Cover the text and check what you remember

• Verify accuracy by revisiting the text

• Reread difficult sections if needed

• Discuss key points with friends

Reviewing turns short-term memory into long-term learning.

Strong reading skills don’t come from reading more, but from reading smart. Techniques like skimming, scanning, and SQ3R transform reading from a passive activity into an active, powerful learning tool.

Fill in the Blanks (Reading Skills)

1. Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, interpret, and make sense of _________ text.

2. Skimming helps a reader get a _________ idea of the text without focusing on details.

3. Scanning is used when a reader is searching for _________ information such as dates, names, or keywords.

4. Poor reading comprehension may occur due to limited vocabulary and lack of _________.

5. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, _________, and Review.