Topic 5: Reading Skills – English Form 5 Notes (New Syllabus)

Reading Skills

What is Reading?

Reading is the process of going through written materials in order to understand and obtain information from them. It helps people gain knowledge, ideas, and understanding from books, articles, newspapers, journals, and other written texts.

Reading becomes difficult when a person lacks proper reading skills. Someone may read a text without understanding its message, or may spend too much time reading a short passage because of poor reading techniques.

Types of Reading Skills

There are different types of reading depending on the purpose of the reader and the method used while reading.

Skimming

Skimming is a reading technique used to get the general idea of a text. In this type of reading, the reader focuses on understanding what the text is mainly about without reading every detail.

While skimming, a reader may look at:

• Headings and subheadings
• Introductions and conclusions
• Table of contents
• Key paragraphs
• Bold or highlighted words

People often use skimming when reading newspapers, magazines, journals, essays, or new books to decide whether the material is worth reading in detail.

Skimming is important because:

• It saves time
• Helps readers make quick decisions
• Allows readers to identify important information easily

Scanning

Scanning is a reading method used to search for specific information quickly.

In scanning, the reader already knows what information he or she is looking for. Instead of reading the whole text, the reader searches for keywords, names, dates, figures, or particular details.

Examples of scanning include:

• Looking for a phone number in a directory
• Searching for a specific topic in a textbook
• Checking newspaper headlines for a particular story

Scanning is usually done very quickly because the reader focuses only on relevant information.

Intensive Reading

Intensive reading is the careful and detailed reading of a text in order to understand and remember all the information.

This type of reading is common when studying textbooks, poetry, novels, or academic materials. The reader concentrates fully on every sentence and idea.

Intensive reading helps learners:

• Understand difficult concepts
• Remember important details
• Analyze information deeply

For example, students preparing for examinations often use intensive reading.

Extensive Reading

Extensive reading involves reading a wide variety of materials for knowledge, enjoyment, or exposure to language.

Examples include reading:

• Novels
• Plays
• Short stories
• Poetry
• Magazines

This type of reading helps learners improve vocabulary, language skills, and general knowledge because they are exposed to different writing styles and ideas.

Critical Reading

Critical reading goes beyond understanding the words in a text. It involves analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating what the writer is saying.

A critical reader:

• Reads between the lines
• Connects ideas with personal experiences
• Questions the writer’s opinions
• Distinguishes facts from opinions

Critical reading helps readers develop independent thinking and deeper understanding.

Strategies for Intensive and Critical Reading

To understand texts clearly and deeply, readers should apply the following strategies:

Prepare Yourself Physically

Arrange your books, notebooks, and reading materials properly before starting. A clean and organized environment improves concentration.

Set Reading Objectives

Know what you want to achieve after reading.

Examples:

• Understanding concepts
• Identifying themes
• Answering questions

Identify Main Points

Pay attention to keywords and signal words that show how ideas are organized in the text.

Predict Questions

As you read, ask yourself questions about the content. This helps test your understanding.

Observe Text Structure

Focus on:

• Titles
• Headings
• Subheadings

These help you understand the organization of ideas.

Be Active While Reading

Read phrases and complete ideas instead of individual words. Concentrate on the main ideas for better understanding and memory.

Take Breaks

When tired, take short breaks to refresh your mind.

Make Connections

Relate new information to what you already know. This strengthens understanding and memory.

Talk to the Author

Pretend you are discussing the ideas with the writer. Agree or disagree with points and identify opinions and facts.

Connotative Meaning

Connotative meaning refers to the additional meaning associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition. These meanings are influenced by culture, beliefs, emotions, and personal experiences.

Examples:

• “This man is a lion.”
  Meaning: The man is brave or aggressive.
• “Be a man.”
  Meaning: Be strong or courageous.
• “Third world countries.”
  Meaning: Poor or developing countries.

Connotative meanings may vary from one society or culture to another.

Types of Connotation

Positive Connotation

Creates a good feeling.

Example:

• Brave
• Heroic

Negative Connotation

Creates a bad feeling or negative impression.

Example:

• Lazy
• Coward

Neutral Connotation

Has neither positive nor negative feelings.

Denotative Meaning

Denotative meaning is the direct or dictionary meaning of a word.

Example:

The denotative meaning of “snake” is a legless reptile.

Unlike connotation, denotation does not depend on emotions, beliefs, or culture.

Difference Between Denotation and Connotation

Task

Give both denotative and connotative meanings of the following words and use each in sentences:

• Lion
• Baby
• Dog
• Google
• Books
• Honey
• Heart
• Red
• Tick

Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions

An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meanings of the individual words.

Examples:

Idioms make language more expressive and interesting.

Argumentative Text

An argumentative text is a type of writing that aims to convince readers to accept a particular opinion or point of view.

Arguments are based on:

• Premises (evidence or reasons)
• Conclusion (final point drawn from the evidence)

A valid argument is one where the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

Example of a Deductive Argument

1. If it rains, they will not come.
2. It is raining.
3. Therefore, they will not come.

Assertion and Inference

Assertion

A statement strongly believed to be true.

Inference

A conclusion reached through reasoning and evidence.

Identifying the Main Conclusion

The conclusion is usually found at the end of an argumentative essay and summarizes the writer’s main idea.

Common conclusion phrases include:

• In conclusion
• To sum up
• Therefore
• In summary
• Generally

Researching a Topic for Presentation

Students often need to research topics before presentations or assignments.

Library Catalogues

A catalogue helps readers locate books and materials in a library.

Types of catalogues include:

• Author catalogue
• Title catalogue
• Subject catalogue

Library Classification Systems

Library of Congress Classification System (LCCS)

Uses letters of the alphabet to classify books.

Examples:

• A – General works
• B – Philosophy and psychology

Dewey Decimal Classification System (DDCS)

Uses numbers to classify books.

Examples:

• 000–099 → General works
• 200–299 → Religion
• 300–399 → Social sciences

Steps in Researching a Topic

Identify the Topic

Choose a topic that is clear and manageable.

Examples:

• Too broad: Education in Tanzania
• Too narrow: Grade One education only
• Suitable: Poor performance in Form Four examinations

Develop Research Questions

Create questions to guide your research.

Example:

Topic: African Union (AU)

Questions:

• When was it formed?
• Why was it formed?
• What are its objectives?

Collect Information

Gather information from:

• Books
• Journals
• Newspapers
• Internet sources
• Interviews

Organize Information

Arrange ideas logically before writing.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the main idea or argument of a paper.

It:

• Guides the reader
• Shows the direction of the paper
• Answers the main research question

Example:

“The African Union was formed to promote unity and solve challenges facing African countries.”

Citation of Resources

When writing academic work, it is important to acknowledge information sources to avoid plagiarism.

Citation shows where information was obtained.

APA Style of Citation

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. It provides rules for citing sources.

There are two main types of citation:

1. In-text citation
2. Reference list

In-Text Citation

This appears within the essay or report.

One Author

Example:

According to Nkwera (2005), literature reflects society.

Two Authors

Example:

Nkwera and Iyan (2010) argue that art reflects real life.

Three to Five Authors

Example:

Ngowi et al. (2009) explain language as a communication system.

Writing Quotations

Short Quotations

Less than 40 words and enclosed in quotation marks.

Example:

Chomsky (2008) states, “Anybody can learn language regardless of age” (p.14).

Long Quotations

More than 40 words and written as a separate indented paragraph.

Reference List

A reference list appears at the end of an academic work and includes all sources used.

References are arranged alphabetically.

How to Write a Book Reference

Format

Author’s surname, initials. (Year). Title of book. Place: Publisher.

Example

Achebe, C. (1961). Things Fall Apart. Lagos: Oxford University Press.

Reference for Two Authors

Example

Nyangwine, N. & Kadeghe, M. (2010). Advanced Level English Language. Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota.

Reference for Edited Books

Example

Mosha, N., Rajabu, R. & Hoza, T. (Eds). (2012). Social Political Approach. Dar es Salaam: Good Books Publishers.

Newspaper Reference

Format

Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Name of newspaper, page number.

Example

Mtani, W. (2013, January 27). Sports and Tanzania. Daily News, p.14.

Internet Sources

Format

Author. (Year, Month). Title. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

Example

Rodrigoz, V. (2012, May). All 33 Chile miners freed in flawless rescue. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://www.example.com

Importance of Citation

Citation helps to:

• Avoid plagiarism
• Give credit to original authors
• Improve academic honesty
• Help readers locate sources
• Strengthen research credibility

Revision Questions

1. Write references for ten different sources using APA style.
2. Mention five advantages of citation.
3. Explain five disadvantages of failing to cite sources.
4. Differentiate skimming from scanning.
5. Differentiate intensive reading from extensive reading.
6. Explain the difference between denotation and connotation with examples.
7. Write an introduction and thesis statement on a topic of your choice.
8. Explain what an argumentative text is.
9. Why are catalogues important in a library?
10. Explain techniques that make skimming successful.