Learning Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
Describe the reading techniques
involved in fast reading;
Describe the reading techniques
involved in slow reading; and
Apply the reading techniques discussed
into your own reading.
Purpose of Reading
To get an overview
 To locate specific information
 Practical application
 To develop detailed and analytical
understanding
 Pleasure reading/Free-range reading

1. Fast reading
Fast reading is for the following purposes:
 Gain an overview or background
information of a topic;
 Locate specific information;
 Identify if the material is relevant to your
needs; and
 Know what the content is all about.
a) Scanning
Done when you want to locate specific
information quickly and efficiently
 Quick absorption of the content
 Read no more than necessary

Example:
Looking up a number in a telephone directory
How to Scan?
Look at the table of contents (TOC)
2. Read the chapter headings and
subheadings
3. Go to the relevant sections of the book
and read the first paragraph or the
section headings
4. Search the index for keywords
5. Look out for hints ie. Words in bold,
italics, underlined, subheadings.
1.
b) Skimming
Done when you need to cover a large
amount of material in a short time and
not looking for anything in particular
 Get good general impression of what the
material is all about

How to Skim?
1.
2.
3.
Read the headings in bold typeface
Search through the text very quickly –
read the first and last paragraphs; note
keywords
Move your eyes in zig-zag manner – left
to right, then down
2. Slow reading
Slow reading allows you to:
 Analyse and understand;
 Evaluate and be critical;
 Remember the information you read;
and
 Follow instructions.
Two approaches:
Analytical Approach
 Used when you need to understand
terminology, follow instructions or
remember what you have read.
Critical Approach
 Used when you need to evaluate the
material you are reading.
SQ3R
An active and systematic approach to
reading academic material
 S = Survey
 Q = Question
 R = Read
 R = Recite
 R = Review

S = survey
Surveying the material to get the best
overview of the information content.
 Scan and skim through the material.

Q = question
Ask appropriate questions to provide
focus in reading.
 Read section by section and ask
questions.

R = read
Question yourself while reading and try
to answer.
 Read slowly for difficult passages.
 Read rapidly by focusing on keywords.
 Stop and look closer at parts which are
not clear.

R = recite
Recite for comprehension – ask
questions, take notes, highlights,
rewrite.
 Organise information in your mind after
each reading by doing mental maps.
 Check your recall against the book –
speak, listen.

R = review
Review your notes
 Understand the material you have read.

Summary of Your Reading
When reading, gather these information to get an
overview of the content of the reading material:
 Date
 Title of Book
 Essay or article
 Author
 Publishing details
 Subject
 Main point(s)
 Comments
 Important information
 Related works
Table of Contents

Table of Contents provide:
 A general idea of the module’s content.
 Able to see the module’s structure & specific
topics

This module comprises 10 topics that
provide you with specific information
The Course Guide
Provides an overview of the course.
 Consists of:

 Introduction
 Course Audience
 Study Schedule
 Course Objectives
 Course Synopsis
 Prior Knowledge
Getting Acquainted with the
Course Content
Read the content itself.
 Notice the different icons and what they
represent.

Learning Skills: Reading for Information by Open University Malaysia is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNoncommercial 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://oer.oum.edu.my.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.oum.edu.my.