Definition of Reading
Many
experts define reading with different meaning. According to Urquant in Grabe
(2009: 14), “reading is the process of receiving and interpreting information
encoded in language from medium of print”.
Spears
(2006: 2), “the reading process begins with decoding words that is, deciphering
the letters that make up individual words. But reading is more than merely
processing letters and sounds.
Hittleman
in Dallman (1972: 22) point out that reading is a verbal process interrelated
with thinking and with all other communication abilities such as listening,
speaking and writing. Specifically, reading is the process of reconstructing
from the printed patterns on the page of the ideas and information intended by
the author.
Dechant
(1982: 5) considers that “reading always involves an interaction between the
writer and reader”. It is the culminating act of the communication process,
initiated by the thoughts of the writer and expressed thoughts of the writer
and expressed through the symbol on the page.
Goodman in
Dechant, (1982: 11) notes that reading is a selective process, involving
partial use of available minimal language cues (graphic, semantic, and
syntactic).
Purposes of Reading
In
accordance to Mahmoud (1992: 103-104), there are least five main purposes for
comprehensive reading. All these purposes require necessary skills in order to
be accomplished efficiently. These purposes include:
a.
Reading for Specific
Information
Reading for specific information is a common form of reading used
to discover specific or limited information. Reading for this purpose involves
looking for specific information and finding it quickly. Looking up a word in
the dictionary or a number in the telephone book is the example of reading for
specific information.
b.
Reading for
Application
Reading for application is used to accomplish a special task. This
type of reading may consist of reading a cake recipe or following instruction
to make or fix something.
c.
Reading for Pleasure
and Entertainment
Individuals read for many pleasurable reasons. This includes
reading popular magazines, newspaper, novels, and other similar material. It is
a slower form of reading, which allows the reader to envision the scenery and
contemplate the background and characters with enjoyment and appreciation. This
form of reading calls for total involvement of the reader.
d.
Reading for Ideas
This type of reading requires paying special attention to main
ideas, concepts and the nature of the presented information. The reader skims
through major topics, headings, illustrations, and conclusions in order to
obtain a general idea of the content. Reading for idea I enhanced though
familiarity with the overall field of study, related topics, facts, and
discussions.
e.
Reading for
Understanding
Reading for understanding requires comprehension of the
relationship between the information introduced and overall knowledge of the
subject. It requires understanding the relationship of topics to sentences,
paragraphs and the main ideas.
Different with Mahmoud, Hall (1983: 163-166) gives many purposes
of reading. The purposes are listed below:
a.
Reading for
Information
The materials of reading for information like newspapers are
designed to be read quickly in order to find facts. Most newspaper sentences
are no more than fifteen words; paragraphs, no longer than three sentences. The
text appears in narrow columns so the reader's eye can quickly move down the
page. Typically, readers do not read every word, but skim the page for key
facts.
b.
Reading for main
points in general
The main points could include information like why the text was
written, what the purpose of the writer was, how the text is organized and what
the main arguments are. For example: reading for an exam
c.
Reading for selected
main points
Reading for selected main points looks for information about a
specific area or answers to certain questions. For example: reading for a
thesis.
d.
Critical / evaluative
reading (intensive)
Read a text with a critical or evaluative attitude, is compare the
writer's views with your own or some other writers' views. Making a difference
between facts and opinions of the writer is also important. For example:
reading for a thesis or an exam.
In accordance to Risdianto (2012: 94-95), there are many purposes
of reading, they are:
a. For pleasure or for personal reasons to find general
information such as what a book is mostly about.
b. To find a specific topic in a book or article.
c. To learn subject matter that is required for a class.
Once student have mastered the basic decoding skills, they will
begin to read for a variety of purposes. If they are reading a book or article
for fun or if they simply want to know about a particular subject such as
frogs, they may want to read fast. It isn‟t necessary for them to read every word or even know the meaning
of every word in the text. They will probably get the sense of the unknown word
from the context.
a.
Skimming for General Information
Students who want to find general information about a subject such
as “Frogs” will want to skim through a book or several books to determine how
the books are organized and what they cover. When they skim, they run or flip
through the pages of the book or article quickly to find out whether it might
cover the information they need.
b. Scanning for Specific Information
When a student wants to know how tadpole becomes frogs, he will
need to a book or article about amphibians to find out whether the material
covers tadpole. When he scans, he will look the title, the table of contents,
the headings, and the index to find out if the material gives information about
it.
c. Reading to Learn
Another purpose for reading calls for reading carefully and
slowly. When a student studies for a test, he will want to skim the book or
chapter first to see what it covers. Then he will read the headings and the
subheadings to discover how the book is organized. He should try to make
connection between the material and what he already knows.
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