© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Chapter 1:Developing Your Efficiency and

Flexibility

Efficient and Flexible Reading, 7/e

Kathleen T. McWhorter

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

In this chapter you will learn:

1. To analyze your reading efficiency and flexibility.

2. To assess your learning style.3. To understand factors that affect rate

and comprehension.4. The basic principles that govern

efficiency and flexibility.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Questionnaires in Chapter 1

• Take the Efficiency Questionnaire to help you assess whether you are an efficient reader.

• Take the Learning Style Questionnaire to determine your best learning strategies.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

Auditory:

• Discuss/study with friends.

• Talk aloud when studying.

• Tape record self-testing questions and answers.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Visual:

• Draw diagrams, charts,

and/or tables.

• Try to visualize events.

• Use films and videos when available.

• Use CD-ROM’s or software when available.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

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Applied:

• Think of practical situations to which learning applies.

• Associate ideas with their application.

• Use case studies, examples, and applications to cue your learning.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Conceptual:

• Organize materials that lack order.

• Use outlining.

• Focus on organizational patterns.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Spatial:

• Use mapping.

• Use outlining.

• Draw diagrams.

• Make charts and sketches.

• Use visualization.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Verbal:• Translate diagrams and drawings into

language.• Record steps, processes, and procedures in

words.• Write summaries.• Write your interpretation next to

textbook drawings, maps, and graphics.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Social:

• Form study groups.

• Find a study partner.

• Interact with the instructor.

• Work with a tutor.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Independent:

• Use computer assisted instruction when available.

• Purchase review workbooks or study guides when available.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Creative:• Ask and answer questions.

• Record your own ideas in the margins of textbooks.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Pragmatic:

• Study in an organized environment.

• Write lists of steps, procedures, and processes.

• Paraphrase difficult materials.

Learning Styles and Reading/Learning Strategies

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Developing a Learning Action Plan

1. Circle the five areas where you received higher scores.

2. Read through the suggestions that apply to you.

3. Place a check mark in front of the suggestions that will work for you.

4. Write them down.5. Try them out!

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Preread and Consider:• The format• Graphic and visual material• Typographical aids• Language features• Subject matter• Length• Organization

Assessing the Difficulty of a Given Piece of Writing

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Consider:• Type of Material

• Purpose in Reading

• Desired Level of Comprehension

• Approximate Range of Reading Rate

Developing Reading Flexibility: Defining Your Purpose

See Table 1.2 in your text.

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Consider:• Your Background Knowledge

• Your Physical and Mental State

• Your Interest Level

• Your Reading Skills

Developing Reading Flexibility: Assessing Your Skills and Abilities

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

• Clearly define your purpose for reading the material.

• Analyze what, if anything, you will be required to do after you have read the material.

• Evaluate the relative difficulty of the material.

Developing Reading Flexibility: Varying Your Rate and Comprehension

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

• You do not always have to read everything.• Not everything on a page is of equal

importance.• Shortcuts can save valuable time and make

reading or studying easier.• You can increase your reading rate without

losing comprehension.• Not everything that appears in print is true.

Principles of Efficiency and Flexibility

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

• After you have chosen a passage in a book or article, count the total number of words in any three lines.

• Count the number of lines in the article or book.

• As you read, time yourself.

• Divide the total reading time into the total number of words.

Evaluating Your Rate and Flexibility

See example in textbook.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

1. What is meant by reading efficiency and reading flexibility?

2. What is learning style?3. What are the features of a piece of writing that

can affect its level of reading difficulty?4. What characteristics can affect reading rate?5. Why should you vary your reading rate and

level of comprehension?6. What are the five major principles behind the

techniques presented in this book?

Check ListSUMMARY QUESTIONS

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

When you read do you:1. Question the author’s motive?2. Think about what the author means

as well as what he or she says?3. Ask Why? How?4. Pay attention to the author’s choice of words

and their impact on you?5. Evaluate the evidence or reasons that support

an idea?

Check ListCritical Reading Tip #1: Developing Critical-Thinking Skills

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