Jun
11
Grant Eckert asked:
A child who reads becomes an adult who reads. Most adults who begin reading at an early age continue to learn by reading throughout their lives. Reading is more than a necessary skill - it’s a source for learning, entertainment, enjoyment and comfort. The skill of reading can be one of the most valuable gifts that you give to your - or any - child.
Still, the question remains: How do you get children to read? There are so many distractions in today’s world - television, cartoons, and video games, to name a few - that it may seem impossible to get your children to sit down and read, let alone turn them into reading enthusiasts. As a mother who has raised five avid readers, I can tell you that it’s nowhere near as hard as you might think. Here are ten important tips for getting your children to read - and loving every minute of it.
1. Let them see you read.
I’ll bet you thought that #1 would be “Read to them”, didn’t you? That’s important (and it will get its own tip), but the single most important thing you can do to raise children who love reading is to be a reader. It doesn’t matter if you read magazines, newspapers or books. What is vital is that your children, from an early age, see reading as a valuable and fun thing to do - and the best way to show them that is to read in front of them.
2. Read to your children regularly.
Bedtime stories are an enduring childhood ritual, but don’t stop reading when your kids outgrow being tucked in at night. In our house, we made nightly reading a part of our evening - not at bedtime, but in the living room. Even when they reached their teens, my kids would often wander out into the living room to listen if I was reading to younger brothers and sisters.
3. Talk about what you read.
I am not suggesting that you should give your kids a reading comprehension quiz every time you read a story to them. Instead, get used to talking about the books that you read in casual conversation. Mention how excited you are that your favorite writer has just published a new book. Ask them how they think Ramona (or Harry Potter) would handle a situation. Remind them about scenes in stories that you read to them when you run into similar scenes in real life.
4. As soon as they’re old enough, get them a library card.
Your public library is still the very best source of reading material. Take your kids to the library often. Hang out with them in the kids’ room and let them choose their own books. Get them familiar with the librarian, and let them see other people enjoying books.
5. Make a big deal of their personal writing.
Writing gives kids an appreciation for the written word and deepens their enjoyment of reading. When children and teens start writing their own stories, they stop viewing books as something magical and unusual, out of their reach. If your children write, treat their writing as you would any other book. Buy them a journal. Help them create and bind their own books. Put their books on the bookshelf next to their bought books.
6. Subscribe to children’s magazines.
Books are fun, but magazines offer a different kind of reading and engagement. Too often, even we adults only consider it “reading” if it’s in a book. Magazines are colorful, topical and fun. Many children who consider reading a chore when the reading comes in book form will eagerly snatch their favorite magazine from the post box the moment it arrives and not put it down till they’ve read every last page.
7. Make books and magazines accessible - in every way.
Buy books and magazines for your kids as gifts. Make sure that there are books around the house in places that are easy for them to reach. Make sure, as well, that the books you choose are accessible - written for the right age level, and geared to their interests.
8. Institute family reading time.
When your kids start thinking they’re too old for read-aloud, institute a family reading time. It can be as little as twenty minutes a day, or an hour two or three nights a week. The only rule is that everyone in the family participates - shut off the televisions and computers and everyone reads.
9. Show an interest in what they’re reading.
The single most valuable reward for most kids is attention from their parents - so pay attention when your kids read. Notice it when they read a book that you remember. Ask them what the story is about. Talk to them about the books that they like.
10. Watch movies based on books - and then read the books together.
The other way around may work as well. Television and movies don’t have to be the enemy. When you read Charlotte’s Web, rent the video and watch it together - then talk about how well it captured the book. Or reverse the process - watch Harry Potter, then read the book together and talk about how much more depth there is in the book. Either way, you’re fostering a critical eye and showing your children that behind every movie or television show is a writer and often, a book.
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A child who reads becomes an adult who reads. Most adults who begin reading at an early age continue to learn by reading throughout their lives. Reading is more than a necessary skill - it’s a source for learning, entertainment, enjoyment and comfort. The skill of reading can be one of the most valuable gifts that you give to your - or any - child.
Still, the question remains: How do you get children to read? There are so many distractions in today’s world - television, cartoons, and video games, to name a few - that it may seem impossible to get your children to sit down and read, let alone turn them into reading enthusiasts. As a mother who has raised five avid readers, I can tell you that it’s nowhere near as hard as you might think. Here are ten important tips for getting your children to read - and loving every minute of it.
1. Let them see you read.
I’ll bet you thought that #1 would be “Read to them”, didn’t you? That’s important (and it will get its own tip), but the single most important thing you can do to raise children who love reading is to be a reader. It doesn’t matter if you read magazines, newspapers or books. What is vital is that your children, from an early age, see reading as a valuable and fun thing to do - and the best way to show them that is to read in front of them.
2. Read to your children regularly.
Bedtime stories are an enduring childhood ritual, but don’t stop reading when your kids outgrow being tucked in at night. In our house, we made nightly reading a part of our evening - not at bedtime, but in the living room. Even when they reached their teens, my kids would often wander out into the living room to listen if I was reading to younger brothers and sisters.
3. Talk about what you read.
I am not suggesting that you should give your kids a reading comprehension quiz every time you read a story to them. Instead, get used to talking about the books that you read in casual conversation. Mention how excited you are that your favorite writer has just published a new book. Ask them how they think Ramona (or Harry Potter) would handle a situation. Remind them about scenes in stories that you read to them when you run into similar scenes in real life.
4. As soon as they’re old enough, get them a library card.
Your public library is still the very best source of reading material. Take your kids to the library often. Hang out with them in the kids’ room and let them choose their own books. Get them familiar with the librarian, and let them see other people enjoying books.
5. Make a big deal of their personal writing.
Writing gives kids an appreciation for the written word and deepens their enjoyment of reading. When children and teens start writing their own stories, they stop viewing books as something magical and unusual, out of their reach. If your children write, treat their writing as you would any other book. Buy them a journal. Help them create and bind their own books. Put their books on the bookshelf next to their bought books.
6. Subscribe to children’s magazines.
Books are fun, but magazines offer a different kind of reading and engagement. Too often, even we adults only consider it “reading” if it’s in a book. Magazines are colorful, topical and fun. Many children who consider reading a chore when the reading comes in book form will eagerly snatch their favorite magazine from the post box the moment it arrives and not put it down till they’ve read every last page.
7. Make books and magazines accessible - in every way.
Buy books and magazines for your kids as gifts. Make sure that there are books around the house in places that are easy for them to reach. Make sure, as well, that the books you choose are accessible - written for the right age level, and geared to their interests.
8. Institute family reading time.
When your kids start thinking they’re too old for read-aloud, institute a family reading time. It can be as little as twenty minutes a day, or an hour two or three nights a week. The only rule is that everyone in the family participates - shut off the televisions and computers and everyone reads.
9. Show an interest in what they’re reading.
The single most valuable reward for most kids is attention from their parents - so pay attention when your kids read. Notice it when they read a book that you remember. Ask them what the story is about. Talk to them about the books that they like.
10. Watch movies based on books - and then read the books together.
The other way around may work as well. Television and movies don’t have to be the enemy. When you read Charlotte’s Web, rent the video and watch it together - then talk about how well it captured the book. Or reverse the process - watch Harry Potter, then read the book together and talk about how much more depth there is in the book. Either way, you’re fostering a critical eye and showing your children that behind every movie or television show is a writer and often, a book.
Caffeinated Content - Members-Only Content for WordPress
Jun
11
Francis Hesse asked:
One of the most important questions regarding reading whether it is books, or newspapers that one wishes to read in as short a time as possible is how to speed read and at the same time also absorb the required information as well.
Thus, to understand how to speed read one needs to determine beforehand what the items of information is one seeking and then tailoring the reading according to the level of information required.
Getting A Rough Idea
In case you are just looking to get a rough idea about a piece of text it is only necessary that you browse through the contents as quickly as possible and then get the required details and in this simple manner get your answer to how to speed read.
However, at other times you may needs to understand the whole concept in as short a period of time as possible and for this you will require understanding different techniques that will help answer your question as to how to speed read.
Some possible solutions to the question of how to speed read include lowering the fixing time as well as reducing the hop-back time and even increasing a block of text in a word count.
The first solution to the question as to how to speed read requires reading a block of text in its entirety and within a certain time and in this way, one effectively gathers the required information in the shortest possible time.
Another answer to the question of how to speed read is increasing the word count because this will greatly simplify learning how to speed read and in fact, this easy to follow method requires only that you keep the content of the text that you are going to read a little farther away from your eyes and so be able to read more words at one glance and in less time as well.
It is also possible to understand how to speed read by reducing hop-back time and in fact, all that it requires is for you to avoid having to read a previous part of the text by opting to use a pencil or even an indicator or just your finger and running any of them directly below the text that you are reading.
By doing this, your eyes will begin to trail the indicator that you are using and thus enables smoother reading and consequently fewer hop-backs.
For some people, reading means a lot of tedium, and it is then up to them to learn to speed read and thus be able to read as many as ten to twelve words per second rather than just four or five words that is achieved when reading at standard speed.
For people that are intellectually oriented or even for students, learning how to speed read can make a significant difference to their learning abilities and thus it is recommended that they follow the simple tips mentioned above.
Website content
One of the most important questions regarding reading whether it is books, or newspapers that one wishes to read in as short a time as possible is how to speed read and at the same time also absorb the required information as well.
Thus, to understand how to speed read one needs to determine beforehand what the items of information is one seeking and then tailoring the reading according to the level of information required.
Getting A Rough Idea
In case you are just looking to get a rough idea about a piece of text it is only necessary that you browse through the contents as quickly as possible and then get the required details and in this simple manner get your answer to how to speed read.
However, at other times you may needs to understand the whole concept in as short a period of time as possible and for this you will require understanding different techniques that will help answer your question as to how to speed read.
Some possible solutions to the question of how to speed read include lowering the fixing time as well as reducing the hop-back time and even increasing a block of text in a word count.
The first solution to the question as to how to speed read requires reading a block of text in its entirety and within a certain time and in this way, one effectively gathers the required information in the shortest possible time.
Another answer to the question of how to speed read is increasing the word count because this will greatly simplify learning how to speed read and in fact, this easy to follow method requires only that you keep the content of the text that you are going to read a little farther away from your eyes and so be able to read more words at one glance and in less time as well.
It is also possible to understand how to speed read by reducing hop-back time and in fact, all that it requires is for you to avoid having to read a previous part of the text by opting to use a pencil or even an indicator or just your finger and running any of them directly below the text that you are reading.
By doing this, your eyes will begin to trail the indicator that you are using and thus enables smoother reading and consequently fewer hop-backs.
For some people, reading means a lot of tedium, and it is then up to them to learn to speed read and thus be able to read as many as ten to twelve words per second rather than just four or five words that is achieved when reading at standard speed.
For people that are intellectually oriented or even for students, learning how to speed read can make a significant difference to their learning abilities and thus it is recommended that they follow the simple tips mentioned above.
Website content
May
27
Teach Your Child To Read
Filed Under Good read | Leave a Comment
Iri McPhee asked:
Start Young and Stay with it. At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.
Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a part of a child’s life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to walk and talk.
Even after children lean to read by themselves, it’s still important for you to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level, but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers’ understanding and motivate them to
improve their skills.
Advertise the joy of reading!
Our goal is to motivate children to want to read so they will practice reading independently and, thus, become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food chains do for hamburgers… ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems to children. We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious
leisure moments.
With your help, your children can begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.
REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE VERY YOUNG
Between the ages of 4 and 7, many children begin to recognize words on a page. In our society this may begin with recognition of a logo for a fast food chain or the brand name of a favorite cereal. But, before long, that special moment when a child holds a book and starts to decode the mystery of written words is likely to occur.
You can help remove part of the mystery without worrying about a lot of theory. Just read the stories and poems and let them work their wonders. There is no better way to prepare your child for that moment when reading starts to “click,” even if it’s years down the road. It will help, however, if we open our eyes to some things adult readers tend to take for granted. It’s easier to be patient when we remember how much children do not know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so well we forget sometimes we ever learned them.
* There’s a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud.
* Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read.
* Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as you read.
* Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space.
* Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and one for small letters.
Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of hieroglyphic symbols. That’s how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build confidence.
Home is where the heart is:
It’s no secret that activities at home are an important
supplement to the classroom, but there’s more to it than that. There are things that parents can give children at home that the classrooms cannot give.
Children who are read to grow to love books. Over the years, these children will have good memories to treasure. They remember stories that made them laugh and stories that made them cry. They remember sharing these times with someone they love, and they anticipate with joy the time when they will be able to read for
themselves.
By reading aloud together, by being examples, and by doing other activities, parents are in a unique position to help children enjoy reading and see the value of it.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
It is important to keep fun in your parent-child reading and to let joy set the tone and pace. Here is a story to keep in mind. Shamu is a performing whale, to the delight of many. However, she sometimes gets distracted and refuses to do her tricks. When that happens, her trainers stand around in dripping wetsuits and wait for her stubbornness to pass. They know that when a 5,000- pound whale decides she doesn’t want to flip her tail on cue, there is very little anyone can do about it.
But whales like to play, and sooner or later Shamu returns to the game of performing for her audience. Shamu’s trainers know this so they’re always patient, they’re always confident, and they always make performing fun. While helping your child become a reader is certainly different from training a whale, the same qualities of patience, confidence, and playfulness in your approach will get results. If, from time to time, your child gets distracted and loses interest, take a break. Children love to learn. Give them a little breathing room, and their interest will always be renewed.
It’s part of life:
Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don’t be discouraged if you skip a day or don’t always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can. If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with each child, especially if they’re more than 2 years apart. However, it’s also fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time.
Most children enjoy listening to many types of stories. When stories are complex, children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these “old friends” and may even help in the reading. Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile!
Caffeinated Content
Start Young and Stay with it. At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.
Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a part of a child’s life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to walk and talk.
Even after children lean to read by themselves, it’s still important for you to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level, but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers’ understanding and motivate them to
improve their skills.
Advertise the joy of reading!
Our goal is to motivate children to want to read so they will practice reading independently and, thus, become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food chains do for hamburgers… ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems to children. We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious
leisure moments.
With your help, your children can begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.
REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE VERY YOUNG
Between the ages of 4 and 7, many children begin to recognize words on a page. In our society this may begin with recognition of a logo for a fast food chain or the brand name of a favorite cereal. But, before long, that special moment when a child holds a book and starts to decode the mystery of written words is likely to occur.
You can help remove part of the mystery without worrying about a lot of theory. Just read the stories and poems and let them work their wonders. There is no better way to prepare your child for that moment when reading starts to “click,” even if it’s years down the road. It will help, however, if we open our eyes to some things adult readers tend to take for granted. It’s easier to be patient when we remember how much children do not know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so well we forget sometimes we ever learned them.
* There’s a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud.
* Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read.
* Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as you read.
* Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space.
* Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and one for small letters.
Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of hieroglyphic symbols. That’s how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build confidence.
Home is where the heart is:
It’s no secret that activities at home are an important
supplement to the classroom, but there’s more to it than that. There are things that parents can give children at home that the classrooms cannot give.
Children who are read to grow to love books. Over the years, these children will have good memories to treasure. They remember stories that made them laugh and stories that made them cry. They remember sharing these times with someone they love, and they anticipate with joy the time when they will be able to read for
themselves.
By reading aloud together, by being examples, and by doing other activities, parents are in a unique position to help children enjoy reading and see the value of it.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
It is important to keep fun in your parent-child reading and to let joy set the tone and pace. Here is a story to keep in mind. Shamu is a performing whale, to the delight of many. However, she sometimes gets distracted and refuses to do her tricks. When that happens, her trainers stand around in dripping wetsuits and wait for her stubbornness to pass. They know that when a 5,000- pound whale decides she doesn’t want to flip her tail on cue, there is very little anyone can do about it.
But whales like to play, and sooner or later Shamu returns to the game of performing for her audience. Shamu’s trainers know this so they’re always patient, they’re always confident, and they always make performing fun. While helping your child become a reader is certainly different from training a whale, the same qualities of patience, confidence, and playfulness in your approach will get results. If, from time to time, your child gets distracted and loses interest, take a break. Children love to learn. Give them a little breathing room, and their interest will always be renewed.
It’s part of life:
Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don’t be discouraged if you skip a day or don’t always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can. If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with each child, especially if they’re more than 2 years apart. However, it’s also fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time.
Most children enjoy listening to many types of stories. When stories are complex, children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these “old friends” and may even help in the reading. Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile!
Caffeinated Content
May
10
Developing a Superior Speed Reading Eye
Filed Under Good read | Leave a Comment
Francis Hesse asked:
In this present-day era in which information is available in great quantity and at a very rapid rate (thanks to the Internet), there is also a burning need to be able to take in information in the shortest possible time. There is as a result a great demand for people who have a superior trained speed reading eye as this is a quality that helps in increasing productivity and so, is highly valued.
If you are on the lookout for some means to develop the speed at which you read, there are a number of solutions that can help to train you in developing a better speed reading eye. There are in fact, numerous choices when it concerns diversity of speed reading courses as well as software that will help you read faster, and so it becomes essential that you choose one that will work to develop your proficiency in the most effective manner.
Retention and comprehension are essential.
When you develop a proficient speed reading eye you will then be able to use your newly acquired skills in many diverse ways and thus enjoy a more fruitful life. According to experts, there are just a small number of techniques that need to be learned to develop a good and sharp speed reading eye which will help you to enjoy the benefits of rapid reading and also comprehending and retaining the material that you have read.
Improving your reading speed will be of little use to you if you fail to absorb what it is you are reading.Learning to read at breakneck speeds without comprehension is not very useful, you must be able to understand what you have read and retain the information as well.
Also, one can always train to have a razor-sharp speed reading eye if one simply practices regularly as this is perhaps the most important facet to gaining the necessary speed at reading. In fact, though you can also practice by using your hand, or use cards to improve your speed reading eye, there is nothing quite as effective as constant practice in developing the art of speed reading.
It also pays to get some speed reading techniques because present day technology is so advanced that you can make dramatic improvements in speed reading by making this technology work for you. By improving your speed reading eye, you will be able to read faster as well as read better and by constantly practicing to even achieve your ultimate goal which should be to read at about hundred words per minute.
Caffeinated Content
In this present-day era in which information is available in great quantity and at a very rapid rate (thanks to the Internet), there is also a burning need to be able to take in information in the shortest possible time. There is as a result a great demand for people who have a superior trained speed reading eye as this is a quality that helps in increasing productivity and so, is highly valued.
If you are on the lookout for some means to develop the speed at which you read, there are a number of solutions that can help to train you in developing a better speed reading eye. There are in fact, numerous choices when it concerns diversity of speed reading courses as well as software that will help you read faster, and so it becomes essential that you choose one that will work to develop your proficiency in the most effective manner.
Retention and comprehension are essential.
When you develop a proficient speed reading eye you will then be able to use your newly acquired skills in many diverse ways and thus enjoy a more fruitful life. According to experts, there are just a small number of techniques that need to be learned to develop a good and sharp speed reading eye which will help you to enjoy the benefits of rapid reading and also comprehending and retaining the material that you have read.
Improving your reading speed will be of little use to you if you fail to absorb what it is you are reading.Learning to read at breakneck speeds without comprehension is not very useful, you must be able to understand what you have read and retain the information as well.
Also, one can always train to have a razor-sharp speed reading eye if one simply practices regularly as this is perhaps the most important facet to gaining the necessary speed at reading. In fact, though you can also practice by using your hand, or use cards to improve your speed reading eye, there is nothing quite as effective as constant practice in developing the art of speed reading.
It also pays to get some speed reading techniques because present day technology is so advanced that you can make dramatic improvements in speed reading by making this technology work for you. By improving your speed reading eye, you will be able to read faster as well as read better and by constantly practicing to even achieve your ultimate goal which should be to read at about hundred words per minute.
Caffeinated Content
May
5
Dr. Robert C. Worstell, Phd asked:
First, what is a book review and why do people want them?
You have just read a book and are offering your opinion. Essentially, you are providing a mini-version of the book so someone else can decide for themselves if it’s worth their money and time.
A book review is a description, analysis, and evaluation of a book. It talks about the quality, meaning, and significance of a book. It isn’t just a short, 6 paragraph retelling. It’s not a book report or a summary.
It’s your reaction to the strengths and weaknesses of the material. It’s how you felt about the book’s purpose, content, and authority.
There is no right or wrong way to write a book review. Book reviews are personal and reflect your opinion. There is no minimum or maximal length. If you’re writing one for an Amazon, you will need to be concise and to the point - but if you are writing for a magazine, you could run 1500 words or more.
One way to write it is to state what the author has tried to do, compare (in your opinion) how that author succeeded, and back it up with evidence.
Here’s some guidelines:
1. Write an opening statement giving essential information about the book: title, author, first copyright date, type of book, general subject matter, special features (maps, color plates, etc.), price and ISBN. (In online reviews, this can be skipped, since it is part of the blurb for the book and that data is just a few paragraphs above.)
2. State the author’s purpose in writing the book. You can often get this from their preface or first chapter. Where they don’t come out and say so, you can ask yourself these questions:
a. Why did the author write on this subject rather than on some other subject?
b. From what point of view is the work written?
c. Was the author trying to give information, to explain something technical, to convince the reader of something?
d. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it?
e. Who is the intended audience?
f. What is the author’s style? Did it suit your own tastes?
g. Scan the Table of Contents to see how it’s organized sensibly.
g. How did the book affect you? Did you change any ideas you held because of it? How does it fit in with what you think or your own personal world view? Did it bring up old memories of yours?
h. Did the book achieve what it set out to do?
i. Would you recommend this book to others? How come?
3. Sum up the book in an elevator pitch - if you had to recommend this book to someone during an elevator ride, in the time between floors.
4. Explain how the author got his point across. What descriptions did they use? How did they tell the story - and did they keep you interested? Did their arguments make sense? Did they leave anything out or leave you unconvinced at the end?
5. Check into the author (this is fairly easy on the Internet) and see if what you find - reputation, qualifications, influences, biographical, etc. - establishes them as an authority. Do you see any relation between the author’s philosophy, life experience and book you’re reviewing?
6. If relevant, make note of the book’s format - layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there maps, illustrations? Do they help your understanding?
7. Check the back matter. How’s the index? Are the footnotes accurate and useful? What does the bibliography look like - long, short, haphazard? Make notes of what you find.
8. Summarize (briefly), analyze, and comment on the book’s content and its summary. List the main topics, and briefly summarize the author’s ideas about these topics, main points, and conclusions. Use specific references and quotations to support your statements. Once you have a good grip on that book, the conclusion will some simply.
Caffeinated Content
First, what is a book review and why do people want them?
You have just read a book and are offering your opinion. Essentially, you are providing a mini-version of the book so someone else can decide for themselves if it’s worth their money and time.
A book review is a description, analysis, and evaluation of a book. It talks about the quality, meaning, and significance of a book. It isn’t just a short, 6 paragraph retelling. It’s not a book report or a summary.
It’s your reaction to the strengths and weaknesses of the material. It’s how you felt about the book’s purpose, content, and authority.
There is no right or wrong way to write a book review. Book reviews are personal and reflect your opinion. There is no minimum or maximal length. If you’re writing one for an Amazon, you will need to be concise and to the point - but if you are writing for a magazine, you could run 1500 words or more.
One way to write it is to state what the author has tried to do, compare (in your opinion) how that author succeeded, and back it up with evidence.
Here’s some guidelines:
1. Write an opening statement giving essential information about the book: title, author, first copyright date, type of book, general subject matter, special features (maps, color plates, etc.), price and ISBN. (In online reviews, this can be skipped, since it is part of the blurb for the book and that data is just a few paragraphs above.)
2. State the author’s purpose in writing the book. You can often get this from their preface or first chapter. Where they don’t come out and say so, you can ask yourself these questions:
a. Why did the author write on this subject rather than on some other subject?
b. From what point of view is the work written?
c. Was the author trying to give information, to explain something technical, to convince the reader of something?
d. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it?
e. Who is the intended audience?
f. What is the author’s style? Did it suit your own tastes?
g. Scan the Table of Contents to see how it’s organized sensibly.
g. How did the book affect you? Did you change any ideas you held because of it? How does it fit in with what you think or your own personal world view? Did it bring up old memories of yours?
h. Did the book achieve what it set out to do?
i. Would you recommend this book to others? How come?
3. Sum up the book in an elevator pitch - if you had to recommend this book to someone during an elevator ride, in the time between floors.
4. Explain how the author got his point across. What descriptions did they use? How did they tell the story - and did they keep you interested? Did their arguments make sense? Did they leave anything out or leave you unconvinced at the end?
5. Check into the author (this is fairly easy on the Internet) and see if what you find - reputation, qualifications, influences, biographical, etc. - establishes them as an authority. Do you see any relation between the author’s philosophy, life experience and book you’re reviewing?
6. If relevant, make note of the book’s format - layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there maps, illustrations? Do they help your understanding?
7. Check the back matter. How’s the index? Are the footnotes accurate and useful? What does the bibliography look like - long, short, haphazard? Make notes of what you find.
8. Summarize (briefly), analyze, and comment on the book’s content and its summary. List the main topics, and briefly summarize the author’s ideas about these topics, main points, and conclusions. Use specific references and quotations to support your statements. Once you have a good grip on that book, the conclusion will some simply.
Caffeinated Content
Apr
9
6 Speed Reading Myths Debunked
Filed Under Good read | Leave a Comment
Ed Caldwel asked:
Speed Reading Myths Debunked
There is so much misinformation about speed reading that as a user for over 30 years, and as an instructor of tens of thousands of learners from all walks of life and all levels of education, I feel compelled to debunk some of the most prevalent and popular myths. However, before we begin, it is essential to define what is reading.
Reading Defined
Although definitions may vary somewhat, reading can be defined as the act of interpreting visual symbols and deriving meaning from those symbols (letters, words, etc.). If you accept this definition, then it follows that reading is a cognitive thinking skill. Therefore, one can read, as fast as one can think (or interpret) the visual symbols.
So when someone wants to learn to “speed read,” there is a two-fold problem. One is seeing the symbols more quickly (that’s the easy part), and secondly is getting the mind to respond more quickly. Said simply, there are 2 components to speed reading – developing the mechanical skills of getting the eyes to move more efficiently, and learning to push the mind to think and respond more quickly (comprehension).
Myth # 1 – “It doesn’t really work.”
This is both true and false. One of my biggest challenges with learners is the notion that if they enroll in a program, then magic will happen. Because of the nature of learning a new system of skills and habits is difficult, the learner must immerse themselves completely in the experience and let go of preconceived notions of what they believe about themselves as learners and loosen their attachment to the “see-say-hear-understand” habit they grew up with. What I tell learners is, “it doesn’t work, you work it.” In other words, Dynamic Speed Reading is a system, a methodology to be applied to the act of reading, but the reader has to bring themselves and their mind to the process. One technique outside of the process will not work for all reading situations.
Myth #2 – “Speed Reading Is Merely About Moving Your Eyes Fast”
False. Although historically this is true, and most programs today focus almost exclusively on the speed of eye movements, this statement contradicts the definition of reading as stated earlier. In fact, this is the primary cause of cynicism and skepticism towards the concept of speed reading. It is not reading if you merely move your eyes and see all the print. Learning the mechanics without learning the comprehension process is only part of the solution. If someone is serious about wanting to develop their efficient reading skills, a strong emphasis on how to build comprehension is critical for success. I do not recommend software programs, or any other type of mechanical devices because of this. By definition, you can only read as fast as you can think or respond to the symbols on the page. Comprehension, or the cognitive skills, must be developed as well.
Myth # 3 – “When Speed Reading You Lose Comprehension”
Again, false. Although the answer to this is included in myth 2, this needs additional explanation. As I explain this, keep in mind the premise that you are not reading if you are not comprehending. Comprehension means understanding. This myth has developed not only because most programs focus on merely speed, but also because of the nature of the adult learner trying to change a lifetime of habits around.
Typically the adult learner has formed the belief/habit that in order to comprehend well, you need to start at the beginning and read word by word to the end in a linear fashion. This belief/habit was formed as a result of early reading training from school days. However, research has proven that comprehension is a process. In other words, we need to build comprehension like we build our learning of any other skill. A useful analogy would be to take a trip to a new state, province, or country. You would start by looking at a map to get a general sense of direction of where you are to where you want to be. Next, you might look at the major highways that lead you there. Finally, you would focus on the specific streets that would get you to the point of your destination. Reading comprehension experts agree, comprehension must be built. Stated differently, you need to “prepare the mind to read.”
Another part of this myth’s development is due to the fact of the nature of the learning process in developing speed reading skills. As the learner works on breaking the habit of focusing on individual words both visually and cognitively, a dynamic flow of eyes over stimuli (words) needs to be achieved in order to create meaning faster. Here we are talking about the mechanical skills. As the speed reading student first enters this phase of development, comprehension will decrease initially as he/she struggles to learn fluency of the mechanics. This can be compared to first learning to drive a car. Remember? You had to focus on managing all various pedals, buttons, and mirrors while simultaneously navigating this ton of steel down the road safely. If you’ve been driving for years, you might not even be able to remember how clumsy you felt. Another good comparison would be learning how to do a new dance. The learner needs ample time to build fluency.
Myth #4 – “Speed Reading is Merely About Skimming, Scanning, Key-wording”
False. Skimming is sample reading portions of text – a sentence or two here and there, or some other approach. Skimming is a good “pre-reading” technique, but is not “dynamic speed reading” in itself.
Scanning, by definition, is to glance from point to point often hastily, casually, or in search of a particular item. We may scan the telephone book for a particular person’s number, scan the newspaper ads for a job, but we do not scan a new book, report, manual, etc. if we want to master it. Scanning may be used as an after reading technique, but is not speed reading.
Key-wording is an old speed reading technique where the learner was told “don’t focus on the unimportant words,” such as, “a,” “the,” “of.” This cannot be done. Try this yourself: sit opposite someone who is about your height and look at their face. While you do this try to not see their nose. Sight, the mechanical part of reading, is impartial. Or in other words, you cannot not see something within your field of vision. Your mind may not register or respond to something your eyes see, but that is another issue. In fact, that again is the issue of comprehension which we have discussed.
Myth # 5 – “You May Get Some Results At The End Of The Program, But They Don’t Last.”
This is both true and false. Reading is a skill like other skills, when you don’t do it for awhile, you will slow down. If you spent 5-10 years learning to play piano and then hadn’t touched the piano for 10-20 years, you would get rusty. All it takes once you have mastered it is occasional practice. When buying a program, look for long term support and follow-up.
Myth # 6– “If You Look At the Naturally Fast Readers, Only Really Smart People Can Speed Read”
The truth is one of the things that made these folks smart was the fact that they were voracious readers. They loved to read. When you develop more ease with reading, you’ll read more and enjoy it more, and learn more. When you read more, you’ll naturally get smart!
Now that these 6 major falsehoods of speed reading have been explained, what will you commit to do to deal with your information overload? In today’s knowledge economy there is no other option but to learn a new approach in getting through the piles.
Kansieo.com
Speed Reading Myths Debunked
There is so much misinformation about speed reading that as a user for over 30 years, and as an instructor of tens of thousands of learners from all walks of life and all levels of education, I feel compelled to debunk some of the most prevalent and popular myths. However, before we begin, it is essential to define what is reading.
Reading Defined
Although definitions may vary somewhat, reading can be defined as the act of interpreting visual symbols and deriving meaning from those symbols (letters, words, etc.). If you accept this definition, then it follows that reading is a cognitive thinking skill. Therefore, one can read, as fast as one can think (or interpret) the visual symbols.
So when someone wants to learn to “speed read,” there is a two-fold problem. One is seeing the symbols more quickly (that’s the easy part), and secondly is getting the mind to respond more quickly. Said simply, there are 2 components to speed reading – developing the mechanical skills of getting the eyes to move more efficiently, and learning to push the mind to think and respond more quickly (comprehension).
Myth # 1 – “It doesn’t really work.”
This is both true and false. One of my biggest challenges with learners is the notion that if they enroll in a program, then magic will happen. Because of the nature of learning a new system of skills and habits is difficult, the learner must immerse themselves completely in the experience and let go of preconceived notions of what they believe about themselves as learners and loosen their attachment to the “see-say-hear-understand” habit they grew up with. What I tell learners is, “it doesn’t work, you work it.” In other words, Dynamic Speed Reading is a system, a methodology to be applied to the act of reading, but the reader has to bring themselves and their mind to the process. One technique outside of the process will not work for all reading situations.
Myth #2 – “Speed Reading Is Merely About Moving Your Eyes Fast”
False. Although historically this is true, and most programs today focus almost exclusively on the speed of eye movements, this statement contradicts the definition of reading as stated earlier. In fact, this is the primary cause of cynicism and skepticism towards the concept of speed reading. It is not reading if you merely move your eyes and see all the print. Learning the mechanics without learning the comprehension process is only part of the solution. If someone is serious about wanting to develop their efficient reading skills, a strong emphasis on how to build comprehension is critical for success. I do not recommend software programs, or any other type of mechanical devices because of this. By definition, you can only read as fast as you can think or respond to the symbols on the page. Comprehension, or the cognitive skills, must be developed as well.
Myth # 3 – “When Speed Reading You Lose Comprehension”
Again, false. Although the answer to this is included in myth 2, this needs additional explanation. As I explain this, keep in mind the premise that you are not reading if you are not comprehending. Comprehension means understanding. This myth has developed not only because most programs focus on merely speed, but also because of the nature of the adult learner trying to change a lifetime of habits around.
Typically the adult learner has formed the belief/habit that in order to comprehend well, you need to start at the beginning and read word by word to the end in a linear fashion. This belief/habit was formed as a result of early reading training from school days. However, research has proven that comprehension is a process. In other words, we need to build comprehension like we build our learning of any other skill. A useful analogy would be to take a trip to a new state, province, or country. You would start by looking at a map to get a general sense of direction of where you are to where you want to be. Next, you might look at the major highways that lead you there. Finally, you would focus on the specific streets that would get you to the point of your destination. Reading comprehension experts agree, comprehension must be built. Stated differently, you need to “prepare the mind to read.”
Another part of this myth’s development is due to the fact of the nature of the learning process in developing speed reading skills. As the learner works on breaking the habit of focusing on individual words both visually and cognitively, a dynamic flow of eyes over stimuli (words) needs to be achieved in order to create meaning faster. Here we are talking about the mechanical skills. As the speed reading student first enters this phase of development, comprehension will decrease initially as he/she struggles to learn fluency of the mechanics. This can be compared to first learning to drive a car. Remember? You had to focus on managing all various pedals, buttons, and mirrors while simultaneously navigating this ton of steel down the road safely. If you’ve been driving for years, you might not even be able to remember how clumsy you felt. Another good comparison would be learning how to do a new dance. The learner needs ample time to build fluency.
Myth #4 – “Speed Reading is Merely About Skimming, Scanning, Key-wording”
False. Skimming is sample reading portions of text – a sentence or two here and there, or some other approach. Skimming is a good “pre-reading” technique, but is not “dynamic speed reading” in itself.
Scanning, by definition, is to glance from point to point often hastily, casually, or in search of a particular item. We may scan the telephone book for a particular person’s number, scan the newspaper ads for a job, but we do not scan a new book, report, manual, etc. if we want to master it. Scanning may be used as an after reading technique, but is not speed reading.
Key-wording is an old speed reading technique where the learner was told “don’t focus on the unimportant words,” such as, “a,” “the,” “of.” This cannot be done. Try this yourself: sit opposite someone who is about your height and look at their face. While you do this try to not see their nose. Sight, the mechanical part of reading, is impartial. Or in other words, you cannot not see something within your field of vision. Your mind may not register or respond to something your eyes see, but that is another issue. In fact, that again is the issue of comprehension which we have discussed.
Myth # 5 – “You May Get Some Results At The End Of The Program, But They Don’t Last.”
This is both true and false. Reading is a skill like other skills, when you don’t do it for awhile, you will slow down. If you spent 5-10 years learning to play piano and then hadn’t touched the piano for 10-20 years, you would get rusty. All it takes once you have mastered it is occasional practice. When buying a program, look for long term support and follow-up.
Myth # 6– “If You Look At the Naturally Fast Readers, Only Really Smart People Can Speed Read”
The truth is one of the things that made these folks smart was the fact that they were voracious readers. They loved to read. When you develop more ease with reading, you’ll read more and enjoy it more, and learn more. When you read more, you’ll naturally get smart!
Now that these 6 major falsehoods of speed reading have been explained, what will you commit to do to deal with your information overload? In today’s knowledge economy there is no other option but to learn a new approach in getting through the piles.
Kansieo.com
Mar
4
Francis Hesse asked:
Remember the Saturday morning cartoon with Wily Coyote and the Roadrunner?
“Fast” brings back the figure of the Roadrunner zooming past the obstacles and traps laid out by Wily Coyote.
Speed may allow you to arrive at your intended destination; However, along the way, were you able to take note of the things that you may have missed while speeding along the fast lane? As in driving, flying down the road does not give you enough opportunity to see and enjoy the view. The same can be said about learning to speed read.
Much of what you learn can be acquired through reading. The simple activity of getting in a comfortable chair, sit back and start reading a favorite book opens a new world for you. Reading enables one to tap into all the great minds of past and present.
The more you read, the more knowledge you acquire. In the hopes of reading more, some attempt to learn how to read fast. It is believed that the faster you read, the more you cover.
Speed reading involves using specific techniques and concepts compared with the word-for-word method that we were taught in school. Improving reading speed enables you to cover more pages with the same rate as conventional reading. However, it is important to remember when learning how to speed read, or searching for speed reading instructions, is that you also learn comprehension and retention. Without comprehension and or retention, there is danger that you might miss the important details in the book.
There is a solution for this. Few people are aware of this seldom-talked about technique in speed reading. This is based on the principle that the mind thinks in pictures.
Learning is accelerated when you “see” the whole idea of the write-up or book. Seeing “live pictures” of ideas and thoughts of the writer makes reading experiential and unforgettable. When you see nothing while reading, you learn nothing. Speed reading becomes useless.
This technique is called visualization. Visualization is vital to quick learning. Visualization in reading is like constructing a jigsaw puzzle where pieces are put together to form the whole picture. The whole thing not only “appears,” but actually “comes alive” before you. All of this happen in the realm of the mind.
Just going through the motions of speed reading can give you an obscure picture of the subject matter. However, like a haze, this picture often quickly evaporates into thin air. Speed reading without visual pictures often informs but very seldom impresses.
Impressions last while information changes with time. Past information is easily forgotten in favor of new ones. Impressions change you, and these are stored permanently in the mind.
For learning to become effective, it requires brief pauses to be able to visualize and reflect. Effective learning is not about how fast you can finish reading a book. It is more on how you effectively comprehend the ideas brought forth by the writer.
Visual pictures provide lasting impressions. Go after ideas and how it will enrich people’s existence. Go for lasting impressions and insights that will mold you into better individuals.
Create a video blog
Remember the Saturday morning cartoon with Wily Coyote and the Roadrunner?
“Fast” brings back the figure of the Roadrunner zooming past the obstacles and traps laid out by Wily Coyote.
Speed may allow you to arrive at your intended destination; However, along the way, were you able to take note of the things that you may have missed while speeding along the fast lane? As in driving, flying down the road does not give you enough opportunity to see and enjoy the view. The same can be said about learning to speed read.
Much of what you learn can be acquired through reading. The simple activity of getting in a comfortable chair, sit back and start reading a favorite book opens a new world for you. Reading enables one to tap into all the great minds of past and present.
The more you read, the more knowledge you acquire. In the hopes of reading more, some attempt to learn how to read fast. It is believed that the faster you read, the more you cover.
Speed reading involves using specific techniques and concepts compared with the word-for-word method that we were taught in school. Improving reading speed enables you to cover more pages with the same rate as conventional reading. However, it is important to remember when learning how to speed read, or searching for speed reading instructions, is that you also learn comprehension and retention. Without comprehension and or retention, there is danger that you might miss the important details in the book.
There is a solution for this. Few people are aware of this seldom-talked about technique in speed reading. This is based on the principle that the mind thinks in pictures.
Learning is accelerated when you “see” the whole idea of the write-up or book. Seeing “live pictures” of ideas and thoughts of the writer makes reading experiential and unforgettable. When you see nothing while reading, you learn nothing. Speed reading becomes useless.
This technique is called visualization. Visualization is vital to quick learning. Visualization in reading is like constructing a jigsaw puzzle where pieces are put together to form the whole picture. The whole thing not only “appears,” but actually “comes alive” before you. All of this happen in the realm of the mind.
Just going through the motions of speed reading can give you an obscure picture of the subject matter. However, like a haze, this picture often quickly evaporates into thin air. Speed reading without visual pictures often informs but very seldom impresses.
Impressions last while information changes with time. Past information is easily forgotten in favor of new ones. Impressions change you, and these are stored permanently in the mind.
For learning to become effective, it requires brief pauses to be able to visualize and reflect. Effective learning is not about how fast you can finish reading a book. It is more on how you effectively comprehend the ideas brought forth by the writer.
Visual pictures provide lasting impressions. Go after ideas and how it will enrich people’s existence. Go for lasting impressions and insights that will mold you into better individuals.
Create a video blog
Feb
20
Rin Otori asked:
I’m sure everybody would like to know how to start speed reading. Who doesn’t want to be able to scan through a whole book in ten or twenty minutes? You probably recognize the potential of speed reading, and are choosing to learn it so you can be more efficient in absorbing larger amounts of information in a much shorter period of time.
In this article, I am going to share with you a couple tips that helped me learn to start speed reading. So without further delay lets get started!
The first most important thing is to stop reading to yourself. This could be slowing your reading speed down tremendously. Many people when they read, tend to sub vocalize and pronounce the words to themselves. Most people either say the words under their breath or say each word in their heads. If you do this, this is a habit that you will need to work on breaking.
The real core of speed reading also lies in your ability to read larger blocks of words at a time. We all started to learn how to read word-by-word but once you know the language this is no longer an efficient form of reading. You probably don’t read each word one by one anymore, but the average reader only reads about 3 or 4 words at a time. If you want to become a speed reader, the key is to learn how to increase this to being able to read whole sentences or even paragraphs at a time.
There you have it, two essential techniques that are required for learning how to master speed reading.
Whether your hitting the textbooks trying to cram for an exam in history class, trying to read through long boring e-mails from co workers, or maybe just reading through the newspaper, at one time or another we all often wish we could read faster. The good news is we all can! How would you like to be able to read eight,nine, or even ten times faster than you already do? It’s not that hard, and if you have at least ten minutes a day you can start speed reading in no time at all. I did it, and before I found this website I wasn’t exactly the most gifted reader. But in only nine days, I was able to start going through pages from books in literally seconds. Find out how I did it, at UltimateBrainPower.Net
Create a video blog…instantly.
I’m sure everybody would like to know how to start speed reading. Who doesn’t want to be able to scan through a whole book in ten or twenty minutes? You probably recognize the potential of speed reading, and are choosing to learn it so you can be more efficient in absorbing larger amounts of information in a much shorter period of time.
In this article, I am going to share with you a couple tips that helped me learn to start speed reading. So without further delay lets get started!
The first most important thing is to stop reading to yourself. This could be slowing your reading speed down tremendously. Many people when they read, tend to sub vocalize and pronounce the words to themselves. Most people either say the words under their breath or say each word in their heads. If you do this, this is a habit that you will need to work on breaking.
The real core of speed reading also lies in your ability to read larger blocks of words at a time. We all started to learn how to read word-by-word but once you know the language this is no longer an efficient form of reading. You probably don’t read each word one by one anymore, but the average reader only reads about 3 or 4 words at a time. If you want to become a speed reader, the key is to learn how to increase this to being able to read whole sentences or even paragraphs at a time.
There you have it, two essential techniques that are required for learning how to master speed reading.
Whether your hitting the textbooks trying to cram for an exam in history class, trying to read through long boring e-mails from co workers, or maybe just reading through the newspaper, at one time or another we all often wish we could read faster. The good news is we all can! How would you like to be able to read eight,nine, or even ten times faster than you already do? It’s not that hard, and if you have at least ten minutes a day you can start speed reading in no time at all. I did it, and before I found this website I wasn’t exactly the most gifted reader. But in only nine days, I was able to start going through pages from books in literally seconds. Find out how I did it, at UltimateBrainPower.Net
Create a video blog…instantly.
Feb
11
Is Speed Reading For Everyone?
Filed Under Good read | Leave a Comment
Melvin Ng asked:
Below we set out some of the circumstances under which it may be beneficial to be able to speed read and other circumstances where it may not be so beneficial to be able to speed read:
When it is beneficial to speed read
Essentially, the great joy of being able to speed read is the ability to take in large volumes of data over as short a period as possible. Consequently, those of us who find ourselves in circumstances where we need to read excessive amount of information in a short period of time; and, importantly, to comprehend that material at the same time, will benefit from this skill. Such persons include:
School students:
School students are ideal candidates for speed reading skills because they are at an age where they can still absorb new concepts and ideas, whilst also having the need to have advanced reading skills in order to be able to read lots of school texts;
College students:
As with school students, college students need to be able to read lots of textbook material in a short space of time. Therefore, the ability to be able to speed read is an important and useful skill.
Work employees:
Those of us who are working “white-collar” clerical jobs certainly need to have the ability to speed read as this will cut-down on an otherwise very long day. With almost all of the world’s reading material being generated in offices, as faxes, memos, letters, reports, etc. being able to speed read becomes more important as time progresses, not less!
English language students:
As speed reading skills enable you to comprehend what you are reading better, English language students are an often quoted group of people who benefit from the ability to be able to speed read.
Pleasure:
With the amount of advertising in modern magazines, the ability to speed read is vital if you want to read this month’s magazine before next month’s issue! And, that’s nothing compared to Sunday’s edition of the newspaper. Can you image trying to read Sunday’s paper without speed reading skills? – Well, it simply cannot be done these days!
In short, it doesn’t really matter what stage of your life you are at, the ability to be able to speed read is an essential one.
Occasions when speed reading may not be beneficial
Having said that speed reading is an essential element no matter what stage you are at in your life, there are a number of circumstances under which it may not be overly beneficial to be able to speed read. These include:
If you have a reading problem:
Speed reading techniques use cluster methods. This is to say, the reader needs to group whole paragraphs together and skim read them. However, if a person has a reading disability that doesn’t allow them to be able to process the clustering of paragraphs easily, then this may result in a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or even slowness. In such circumstances, it is far better for the confidence of the reader if they resort to traditional methods of reading each word on the page word-by-word.
Age:
Care needs to be taken at what age a student starts to learn to speed read as certain clinical studies have shown that students who try to learn to speed read too early can be left with counterproductive problems – such as dyslexia. As such, it is not recommended that children below 10 learn to speed read.
Comprehension:
In certain circumstances some readers who speed read are left with a loss of comprehension of the reading material, rather than more. If this is the case, then invoking speed reading skill may be counterproductive.
To sum it up, like most things in life, the ability to speed read is something most of us should try to conquer, which is not to say that it is necessarily beneficial to all of us, nor that we should invoke it at all times.
Learn it and use it to your advantage, as and when is needed.
Kansieo.com
Below we set out some of the circumstances under which it may be beneficial to be able to speed read and other circumstances where it may not be so beneficial to be able to speed read:
When it is beneficial to speed read
Essentially, the great joy of being able to speed read is the ability to take in large volumes of data over as short a period as possible. Consequently, those of us who find ourselves in circumstances where we need to read excessive amount of information in a short period of time; and, importantly, to comprehend that material at the same time, will benefit from this skill. Such persons include:
School students:
School students are ideal candidates for speed reading skills because they are at an age where they can still absorb new concepts and ideas, whilst also having the need to have advanced reading skills in order to be able to read lots of school texts;
College students:
As with school students, college students need to be able to read lots of textbook material in a short space of time. Therefore, the ability to be able to speed read is an important and useful skill.
Work employees:
Those of us who are working “white-collar” clerical jobs certainly need to have the ability to speed read as this will cut-down on an otherwise very long day. With almost all of the world’s reading material being generated in offices, as faxes, memos, letters, reports, etc. being able to speed read becomes more important as time progresses, not less!
English language students:
As speed reading skills enable you to comprehend what you are reading better, English language students are an often quoted group of people who benefit from the ability to be able to speed read.
Pleasure:
With the amount of advertising in modern magazines, the ability to speed read is vital if you want to read this month’s magazine before next month’s issue! And, that’s nothing compared to Sunday’s edition of the newspaper. Can you image trying to read Sunday’s paper without speed reading skills? – Well, it simply cannot be done these days!
In short, it doesn’t really matter what stage of your life you are at, the ability to be able to speed read is an essential one.
Occasions when speed reading may not be beneficial
Having said that speed reading is an essential element no matter what stage you are at in your life, there are a number of circumstances under which it may not be overly beneficial to be able to speed read. These include:
If you have a reading problem:
Speed reading techniques use cluster methods. This is to say, the reader needs to group whole paragraphs together and skim read them. However, if a person has a reading disability that doesn’t allow them to be able to process the clustering of paragraphs easily, then this may result in a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or even slowness. In such circumstances, it is far better for the confidence of the reader if they resort to traditional methods of reading each word on the page word-by-word.
Age:
Care needs to be taken at what age a student starts to learn to speed read as certain clinical studies have shown that students who try to learn to speed read too early can be left with counterproductive problems – such as dyslexia. As such, it is not recommended that children below 10 learn to speed read.
Comprehension:
In certain circumstances some readers who speed read are left with a loss of comprehension of the reading material, rather than more. If this is the case, then invoking speed reading skill may be counterproductive.
To sum it up, like most things in life, the ability to speed read is something most of us should try to conquer, which is not to say that it is necessarily beneficial to all of us, nor that we should invoke it at all times.
Learn it and use it to your advantage, as and when is needed.
Kansieo.com
Feb
9
Ten Tips for Reading With Kids
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Emma Walton Hamilton asked:
Education and parenting experts agree that reading to and with young children helps them better understand their world and develop important language and learning skills. Most importantly, when parents and children read together, children develop a love of reading that can last a lifetime.
But how can busy parents and caregivers maximize the value of reading time with their children, and make the experience more fun, productive and rewarding for themselves as well as for their children?
1. Start reading together as early as possible. Even tiny babies love to hear the rhythms and intonations of a loved one’s voice (poetry and rhyming text is great!) and to look at colorful, eye-catching artwork. Get kids used to the idea of looking at and listening to books as early as possible.
2. Cuddle while reading together. This is a powerful kinesthetic way to help children subconsciously associate reading with warmth, joy and love, and helps seed the ground for passionate readers later in life. Plus, it makes for great parent/child bonding time.
3. Trace the lines with a finger while reading aloud. With young children who are just learning to read, this helps them to follow along and associate the letters and words with the sounds they are hearing and images they are seeing, encouraging them to learn to read themselves.
4. Use character voices or accents. Children love to hear the voices of individual characters come to life, and this can really help activate the story and characters for them and engage their imaginations.
5. Read with vocal “color.” This is probably the most important tip of all. Keeping the voice alive and interesting can make all the difference in terms of a child’s ability to listen and follow a story. Use emphasis here, enthusiasm there, tenderness another place. Find the cadences and rhythms of the author’s language, and try to convey the mood or the characters’ intentions. There’s no need to be a ham, or yuck it up so much that the listener pays more attention to the vocal acrobatics than the story itself, but it’s important to avoid monotonous reading. Keep it fresh!
6. Stop from time to time to ask questions. Check in with young listeners about their thoughts and reactions to the story or pictures - “Why do you think he or she did that?” “What would you do in that situation?” “What do you think is going to happen?” “Do you see what I see?”
7. Personalize the story. Look for ways to insert the child’s name into the text, especially if it’s a book that speaks directly to a child and only uses pronouns, or to substitute the name of a character or place with a familiar one. Draw parallels between the events and characters in the story and those of your child’s life.
8. Role-play with dialogue. If a child is old enough to read, divide the character roles and alternate reading the dialogue together. This is a great way to draw a child into the story, and to help them learn to read aloud with animation.
9. Fuel a child’s individual passions and interests - Does he or she love animals? Sports? Cooking? Dressing up? Find books that speak to their unique interests, and be willing to read the same books a hundred times in a row. In this way we can affirm for our children the value of having one’s own passions and perspective.
10. It doesn’t have to be books! If there’s nothing else at hand, a magazine can make for fun reading as well. See what child-friendly “stories” can be found inside or even made up from the pictures. The important thing is to spend time sitting with kids, turning pages and exploring and discovering together.
BONUS TIP:
Create home-made “AudioBooks.” Read and record a favorite stories on tape or CD that a child can play back and follow along with in the book. These can be wonderful gifts - and can be especially helpful as a transition to sleep, or when a loved one has to be away for any period of time.
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Education and parenting experts agree that reading to and with young children helps them better understand their world and develop important language and learning skills. Most importantly, when parents and children read together, children develop a love of reading that can last a lifetime.
But how can busy parents and caregivers maximize the value of reading time with their children, and make the experience more fun, productive and rewarding for themselves as well as for their children?
1. Start reading together as early as possible. Even tiny babies love to hear the rhythms and intonations of a loved one’s voice (poetry and rhyming text is great!) and to look at colorful, eye-catching artwork. Get kids used to the idea of looking at and listening to books as early as possible.
2. Cuddle while reading together. This is a powerful kinesthetic way to help children subconsciously associate reading with warmth, joy and love, and helps seed the ground for passionate readers later in life. Plus, it makes for great parent/child bonding time.
3. Trace the lines with a finger while reading aloud. With young children who are just learning to read, this helps them to follow along and associate the letters and words with the sounds they are hearing and images they are seeing, encouraging them to learn to read themselves.
4. Use character voices or accents. Children love to hear the voices of individual characters come to life, and this can really help activate the story and characters for them and engage their imaginations.
5. Read with vocal “color.” This is probably the most important tip of all. Keeping the voice alive and interesting can make all the difference in terms of a child’s ability to listen and follow a story. Use emphasis here, enthusiasm there, tenderness another place. Find the cadences and rhythms of the author’s language, and try to convey the mood or the characters’ intentions. There’s no need to be a ham, or yuck it up so much that the listener pays more attention to the vocal acrobatics than the story itself, but it’s important to avoid monotonous reading. Keep it fresh!
6. Stop from time to time to ask questions. Check in with young listeners about their thoughts and reactions to the story or pictures - “Why do you think he or she did that?” “What would you do in that situation?” “What do you think is going to happen?” “Do you see what I see?”
7. Personalize the story. Look for ways to insert the child’s name into the text, especially if it’s a book that speaks directly to a child and only uses pronouns, or to substitute the name of a character or place with a familiar one. Draw parallels between the events and characters in the story and those of your child’s life.
8. Role-play with dialogue. If a child is old enough to read, divide the character roles and alternate reading the dialogue together. This is a great way to draw a child into the story, and to help them learn to read aloud with animation.
9. Fuel a child’s individual passions and interests - Does he or she love animals? Sports? Cooking? Dressing up? Find books that speak to their unique interests, and be willing to read the same books a hundred times in a row. In this way we can affirm for our children the value of having one’s own passions and perspective.
10. It doesn’t have to be books! If there’s nothing else at hand, a magazine can make for fun reading as well. See what child-friendly “stories” can be found inside or even made up from the pictures. The important thing is to spend time sitting with kids, turning pages and exploring and discovering together.
BONUS TIP:
Create home-made “AudioBooks.” Read and record a favorite stories on tape or CD that a child can play back and follow along with in the book. These can be wonderful gifts - and can be especially helpful as a transition to sleep, or when a loved one has to be away for any period of time.
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