Reading is an activity that consists of interpreting and deciphering, through sight, the phonic value of a series of written signs, either mentally (in silence) or aloud (oral). This activity is characterized by the translation of symbols or letters into meaningful words and phrases, once the symbol is deciphered, it is reproduced. It is to make possible the interpretation and understanding of written materials, evaluate them and use them for our needs.
What is reading
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It is the understanding of the content of a text or other means in which it is necessary to decode the information, either through conventional language, graphic signs or some non-linguistic symbology. In this process, it is the brain that is responsible for interpreting and deciphering these codes. The etymology of the word comes from the Latin reading, which means "act of reading or choosing. "
This is a fundamental part of learning, since it is mandatory for the efficient development of knowledge. Learning to read well is essential, as it allows you to develop good habits accompanied by concentration and attention. It can be done with texts of a public nature such as newspapers, books and magazines for reflection or information reading, or of a private nature such as reading letters or personal newspapers and blogs.
Images are included in many materials to supplement the textual information; very popular resources in children's readings. Images provide information and help to better understand texts.
Reading history
The writing that was converted into sounds dates from approximately 3,500 years ago. But it was not until the second and fourth centuries when the arrival of the parchment offered the possibility of making great writings that could be saved and read fluently (being the equivalent of the book of our days, with the difference that this format allows to make jumps). In the 5th century this practice was performed silently although it was not very common.
In the 15th century during the Middle Ages, people did not have the freedom to read what interested them or what they wanted, as Pope Alexander VI (1431-1503) disapproved of a large number of writings to the ecclesiastical sees of various districts and later to the whole church in general by his successor, Pope Leo X (1475-1521).
Despite this, there were authorizations for its free exercise that, in principle, were authorized by some bishops, since later the State assumed this work. Then in 1559, the Holy Inquisition of the Catholic Church created the Forbidden Books Index, a list of texts that prevented people from reading forbidden works. Although there is currently freedom to read, some books are released with versions more suitable for all audiences, in a way that they can even be at the height of reading for children and they enjoy them.
For our times, the habit of reading has become the key tool for information, as well as entertainment. In Europe, its practice aloud, as well as psalmody (reading of Psalms emitting songs) and singing were popularized for decades, being preserved for religious activities. Although previously there was a high percentage of illiteracy, it decreased over the years when reading the Bible was considered a right, so that many nations made the group literate.
Nowadays, ecological awareness, the arrival of electronic devices and the Internet, have displaced physical supports for reading, such as newspapers and study materials, since computers (from the desktop to the smart mobile phone) have allowed The cost for this habit will decrease, in addition to being practical and the possibility of sharing the material over long distances with ease. The phenomenon of globalization has allowed many texts in other languages to be available to us, so readings in English or other languages of our interest can be carried out.
Short readings cannot always be done; Reading large texts from a screen can mean impaired eyesight and mental fatigue, for which there are formats such as electronic books adapted in such a way that they resemble physical books. Another advantage offered by the digital medium is the ability to connect one information with another through hyperlinks, in which the reader has the possibility of expanding their knowledge about a topic contained in what they are reading without the need for the original text. explain it in more detail.
Other electronic literary resources for today's readings are blogs, online magazines, communities, and virtual libraries, which provide information tailored to the need of the hungry user for quality texts, regardless of their purpose.
Types of reading
Mechanical reading
It is the one that is done automatically without the need to understand the text, carried out in a conscious way and in which all the codes are broken down and deciphered in it, taking the letters and signs (both spelling and punctuation) to phonemes (words pronounced from a correct way).
This is what a person learns when he begins to read at school, joining vowels with consonants forming the first words he learns, even if he is not aware of what exactly he is reading. This happens in the same way in an adult when reading texts in a language other than their own, because, even if they pronounce it correctly, they may not know its meaning.
In this type, there are three important factors that will make a person a good reader: their correct pronunciation at a normal rhythm, their fluency and the intonation with which they express themselves, respecting the rhythms and punctuations.
Comprehensive reading
It is carried out accompanied by a correct interpretation. This is aimed at the interpretation and critical understanding of the text, since the reader is not a passive entity, but active in that process, that is, he decodes the message, interrogates it, analyzes it, criticizes it.
It is important to emphasize that reading in the cognitive process of each human being is fundamental; thanks to this we can integrate new information into the mental structure.
In this way, it brings us closer to culture, being a fundamental contribution to the intellectual development of the reader.
On the other hand, learning occurs when the reader understands what is read, even when it is recreational in nature and there is no intention to learn.
Critical reading
It is the one that is done analytically: in addition to understanding what is said in a specific text, an attempt will be made to analyze what has been expressed to verify its successes, its errors and the ways in which the information is presented. This type requires corresponding learning and is worth mastering; Thanks to this, texts can be summarized, guides created and decision making improved by having solid arguments.
For this type, it is necessary to understand the text as best as possible by synthesizing its content, separating the ideas, the facts from the author's views on the subject; and read other sources applying the criteria mentioned, so that a more general and complete perspective can be obtained. Thanks to this process, it is that a quality review can be obtained.
Teaching reading
Literacy
It is the ability to read and write. However, within the educational context it is considered a learning process, to which teachers will place greater emphasis during the initial stage of education (4 to 6 years), assigning children various tasks that involve reading and writing activities.
This also implies the union of two processes that are totally connected: reading and writing. Reading and writing are two activities that (for those who do not master them) can be a bit difficult but they are fundamental, and on which the fact that the person continues to learn for the rest of his life will depend.
The direct benefits of literacy are improving spelling, improving concentration, stimulating imagination, enhancing learning and thinking, and enhancing the reader's ability to express themselves.
Reading strategies
To make this process more effective, there are some strategies to apply, among which the following can be highlighted:
- Review, so ideas can be reaffirmed or make sure no details are missed.
- Apply the knowledge you already have for greater critical thinking and connect it with the new information that is presented to us.
- Project the voice of what is being read, so that, not only when viewing it but also listening to it, the information can arrive more effectively.
- Making a synthesis of what was read also represents a useful strategy to gauge how well it was understood and take into account keywords in its content; that is to say, make a reading report.
- Creating images of what is read, as well as trying to anticipate what is likely to come next, will help the reader connect.
- Tools such as mind and concept maps can help to synthesize extensive information.
- Evaluating and asking questions about the text will help determine the degree of reading comprehension, as well as taking breaks to rest and moderate the pace.
- Take notes for quick reviews.
- Categorize and prioritize the topic that interests us the most and once understood, move on to complementary ideas about it.
- Begin to make short readings, and then move on to longer texts applying the previous strategies.
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension constitutes the process by which a reader manifests his previous knowledge, as well as new meanings when interacting with the text. It is the basis to understand the interaction of the reader with the text, this process develops differently in each reader, each individual develops different patterns and uses different skills when facing a text.
This process is carried out by confronting the knowledge that he already has, plus those that he obtains in the text, with which he builds a new knowledge. Reading comprehension will be different according to each person, since they will develop and apply different skills and abilities when reading a text, and to the extent that the reader has knowledge before carrying out this task, the greater will be their performance in deducing and structuring models. of meaning.
Importance of reading
Its importance lies in the fact that it is the main source of personal enrichment, as it allows us to acquire useful knowledge, improve our communication skills, develop our analytical skills, help us to think clearly or solve problems, also to recreate ourselves, among others.
Before reading, it is convenient to know what its purpose is, that is, why we are interested in reading. When we know what we are looking for in it, we are better prepared to find the materials that can satisfy our interests.
