Critical Reading - Topic One PDF

Lecture One: Importance of reading as a skill Types of Reading Types of Readers/ Roles of readers Types of Texts The development of reading skills plays a big role in learning English. The understanding of the main content of what is read, the extraction of the n...

Lecture One: Importance of reading as a skill Types of Reading Types of Readers/ Roles of readers Types of Texts The development of reading skills plays a big role in learning English. The understanding of the main content of what is read, the extraction of the necessary information from the text and a complete understanding of what has been read are of great importance in the learning process. Mastering all types of reading, helps you expand your vocabulary, learn grammatical constructions better and practice your spelling with the help of visual memorization. It is also a basic requirement for acquiring the more advanced skill of reading critically. Reading modes There are different reading modes and each of them has its own peculiarities. Those are scanning, skimming eyes, extensive reading and intensive reading. Also, reading modes are classified by the degree of involvement — active and passive. Scanning This reading mode is aimed only at finding the necessary information in the text. It does not mean a complete immersion in the text and a deep comprehension of the facts, analysis of grammatical constructions. Often in this mode, the text is viewed for the presence of unfamiliar words, so that after their translation it will be more easy to read the text fully. This type of reading is also called «diagonal reading». Skimming This reading mode is used to get to know and understand if this information is useful to you (you are viewing a book in a store or a magazine on the shelf before buying it). In this case, the text is also viewed quickly, but not as carefully as in the previous case. The goal is not to search for specific facts, but to evaluate the text for complexity, interest and a general storyline. Extensive reading The purpose of this type of reading is to get acquainted with new information. In this mode, people read art or scientific literature, without being distracted by new, unfamiliar words, if their meaning can be approximately understood from the context. This type of reading implies the mastering of the general image and the receipt of new, unfamiliar information. It will be necessary to form and express your opinion about what you read or answer the questions. Intensive reading Typically, this type of reading is used in the study of English in order to intensively parse the proposed short, teaching text. With this type of reading, grammatical constructions, unfamiliar words and phrases are intensively examined. 1 Why should you give time to each of the reading modes mentioned above? Because each of them provides different involvement in the text, different ways of perception and different time you spend thinking about what you have read. However, they all contribute to the improved understanding of written speech. https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d4cfc415e8ddfa8aJmltdHM9MTY2MTk4MzIyNyZpZ3VpZD04YTc2NjhlZ i02NzVlLTRlOWYtYmM5Yi01OWM0YTc1ODQxNDEmaW5zaWQ9NTQ0MQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=5269ae26 -2978-11ed-a32e- 77c29f6e3b09&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly90di1lbmdsaXNoLmNsdWIvYXJ0aWNsZXMtZW4vZWR1Y2F0aW9uLWVu LTIvd2hhdC1hcmUtdGhlLXR5cGVzLW9mLXJlYWRpbmctaW4tZW5nbGlzaC0yLyM6fjp0ZXh0PVRoZXJlJTIwYX JlJTIwZGlmZmVyZW50JTIwcmVhZGluZyUyMG1vZGVzJTIwYW5kJTIwZWFjaCUyMG9mLGF0JTIwZmluZGluZy UyMHRoZSUyMG5lY2Vzc2FyeSUyMGluZm9ybWF0aW9uJTIwaW4lMjB0aGUlMjB0ZXh0Lg&ntb=1 What is your reading style? And What type of reader are you? Despite the stereotype of the typical bookworm, no two readers are exactly alike. Some like to stick with what they know, while others love to dabble in new genres, or take on multiple books at once. Determining someone’s reading style might be as simple as asking what they’re currently reading (but it’s still best not to jump to conclusions!) Below are 15 of the most common types of readers. You surely know at least a few of these, and might identify with several yourself. 1.The Serial Binge-Reader These readers are like the binge-watchers of Netflix: Once they catch the feels for a group of characters or a particular writer’s style, they can’t stop and won’t stop until they’re all caught up with the series. And pity the poor soul who has to keep this reader company while they anxiously await the next release! 2.The Highbrow Reader Don’t even think about gifting this reader a paperback romance from the supermarket. They take pride in their knowledge of the classics, or whatever book former presidents or influential scholars are currently raving about in their annual reading lists. They don’t want to be bothered with mass-market fiction or whatever the rest of us are reading on the beach, so unless you’re also a bit of a literary snob, you may not find much to discuss as far as your reading list is concerned. 2 3.The Player There’s plenty of love in this reader to go around (just don’t tell the others). The Player doesn’t like choosing favorites, but thanks to their multi-tasking abilities, they don’t have to. They can start the morning with an inspirational self-help book and doze off in the evening with a bookmark in the latest romantic bestseller. Not everyone can manage this kind of juggling, but The Player makes it look easy. 4.The Fickle Reader The Fickle Reader might have a little bit of everything on their reading list, but once they get started, they have trouble seeing the job through. Unlike The Player, who knows how to spread the love around, the Fickle Reader tends to get bored fast—so they move on quickly to whatever catches their eye next. You could build a fort out of all the half-read books they have lying around the house. 5.The Repeat Reader Whatever good intentions you had when you recommended a new book to the Repeat Reader, they most likely smiled politely before picking up their cherished copy of The Sun Also Rises for the 100th time and forgetting your suggestion forever. It’s not that they’re necessarily stuck in a comfort zone, but they do know what they like. They’re basically the polar opposite of the Player: Once they pair up with a book or author, they’re loyal for life. They’ve found their lobster and they see no reason to wander. 6.The eBook Denier Though many of us have come to appreciate the benefits of an eReader, the eBook Denier refuses to conform. They want the feel, the smell, and the comfort of crisp pages, and they get no greater pleasure than seeing their treasured stacks of hardcovers and paperbacks piled up around the house. Technology is a godsend for lots of things, but don’t waste your breath trying to tell the eBook Denier how much easier life is with a Kindle. 7.The Harry Burns In Nora Ephron’s classic When Harry Met Sally, Harry explains that he likes to read the last page of a book first, so in case he dies, he’ll know how it ends. 3 These readers love to do the same; and they’ll keep doing it, whether you think it’s a wise strategy or a crime that should be punishable by death. FYI: If you’re thinking about planning them a surprise party, don’t. 8.The Nonfiction Nerd From self-help, to travel memoirs, to brilliant how-to hacks, the Nonfiction Nerd prefers facts over fiction. They’ll devour numbers, historical accounts, and all kinds of real-life stories. And they’re not wrong—after all, life is full of great stories. You don’t always need made-up ones to be entertained. Plus, if you love picking up little bits of random knowledge, the Nonfiction Nerd should be your go-to pal. 9.The Fiction Lover On the other end of the spectrum sits the Fiction Junkie, who tends to be bored by the plain facts. They’re not interested in reading about the way things are or were; they crave stories from other worlds, other times, and other dimensions. But that doesn’t mean the characters aren’t real to them—just try talking to a Harry Potter superfan for 5 minutes, and you’d think they studied at Hogwarts right next to Ron and Hermione. 10.The Film Buff Some readers like to see film adaptations after they’ve finished the book. Some don’t, claiming the films are never as good as the books. And some prefer yet another route: After falling in love with characters on the big screen, they decide to grab their copy of the book. Is that a bit backwards? Maybe. Have I done it before? Absolutely. So, no judgment here. 11.The Catharsis Seeker Some readers love a good cry. And a good book should give you some feels anyway, whether it makes you laugh, sob, or feel nostalgic. The Catharsis Seeker is here to feel it all. They can even get so emotionally attached that they experience joy when a character falls in love, or pain when one dies. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking about a character as you go about your day, there’s no going back—you’ve become emotionally invested. 4  12.The Book Clubber The Book Clubber makes most of their reading decisions based on what their book club has been assigned at the moment, or the recommendations of whatever celebrity book they’re following. And they wouldn’t be in bad company—prominent figures such as Barack and Michelle Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, and Oprah Winfrey are all known for sharing their recommended reading lists, and their choices are usually on point. If you’re having trouble finding your next page- turner, just ask a Book Clubber what they’re reading! 13.The Note-Taker You may remember that once upon a time, your high school literature teacher made you turn in your copy of Lord of the Flies to check your annotations in the margins. But the Note-Taker doesn’t do this for a grade—they do it out of passion! The margins in some of their old paperbacks could probably tell stories that beat the book itself. Taking notes while you read (be it fiction or nonfiction) can be a great way to process information and reflect on your own thoughts. 14.The Vacation Reader Life’s busy. Sometimes the only chance you get to dive into a good book is on holiday. The Vacation Reader loves to unwind with a page-turner, whether they’re sprawled out on a beach, riding on a train, or sitting in their backyard with a glass of wine. They read for pleasure, so they don’t limit themselves to just one genre or class of book like the Highbrow Reader would. They don’t have much free time, so when they do get to unwind, they choose what makes them happy, whether their ideal beach read is a crime thriller or a steamy romance. 15.The Hopeless Romantic You probably guessed it, but The Hopeless Romantic is a die-hard fan of the romance novel, and they don’t care what the Highbrow Readers or Nonfiction Nerds think. You can probably find every Danielle Steel novel ever written sitting on their shelves, along with a variety of historical romances and Nicholas Sparks staples. And when the actors for the inevitable film adaptation are finally announced, you know they’ll have something to say about it! Which type or types of reader are you? 15 Types of Readers: What's Your Reading Style? - TCK Publishing 5 6