Sunday, November 13, 2011

READING AND ITS BENEFITS: THE PNG CONTEXT

By Ian D. Hetri

Many of us think of reading as a simple, passive process that involves reading and internalizing what we read. Reading however, is a complex process that requires a great deal of active mental, physical and emotional participation
 
Here’s what some of the experts in the field have to say about reading;
- Roy Harris in Rethinking Writing (2000)
What do we read? The message is not something given in advance--or given at all-- but something created by interaction between writers and readers as participants in a particular communicative situation.

- Frank Smith in Reading Without Nonsense (1997)
Reading is asking questions of printed text. And reading with comprehension becomes a matter of getting your questions answered.

- Kenneth Goodman in Journal of the Reading Specialist (1967)
Reading is a psycholinguistic guessing game. It involves an interaction between thought and language. Efficient reading does not result from precise perception and identification of all elements, but from skill in selecting the fewest, most productive cues necessary to produce guesses which are right the first time. The ability to anticipate that which has not been seen, of course, is vital in reading, just as the ability to anticipate what has not yet been heard is vital in listening.

-James Gee in Social Linguistics and Literacies (1996) Literacy practices are almost always fully integrated with, interwoven into, constituted as part of, the very texture of wider practices that involve talk, interaction, values, and beliefs.

Why should you read?
Different people have different reasons for reading. Can be for pleasure, search for knowledge or other specific reasons. Listed here are few benefits of reading. You can think of your own and extend the list. I have found the following to be common more appropriate with more and common in PNG.
1. Increases your IQ level
Reading, in general, makes you smarter, and it keeps you sharp as you age. No matter what you’re wanting to do or become, you can’t do it without more knowledge. Reading is an excellent way to get where you’re wanting to go.

2. Reading reduces stress
Reading takes your mind away from your stressful days and makes you more relaxed.

3. Greater tranquility
Reading puts your mind at ease and enhances and environment of greater tranquility. It can relieve one from anxiety.

4. Improved analytical thinking
Reading enhances the ability of a person to think analytically. To see logic in situations and act swiftly and precisely to solve problems

5. Increased vocabulary
The more you read; you get exposed to new words and learn how to use them in their proper contexts. All successful writers will tell you that in order to write well, you need to read. Every day. You’ll be surprised at the words you start incorporating into your writing.

6. Improved memory
Reading with purpose improves ones memory and clarity of thinking

7. Improved writing skills
This isn’t much of a stretch, considering that reading improves vocabulary and critical thinking. I feel like a better writer, as I’m constantly surrounding myself with works from people who are better than me. The more you read the better of a writer you’ll become.

8. Helps prioritize goals
Reading shows us things we don’t know about ourselves. By reading, we sort of stay in focused on our priorities goals and strive to achieve them.

That’s all and happy reading!

Ian D Hetri

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