Strategies to Improve Reading Ability in Students

This report discusses strategies to improve reading ability in students, including anticipating content, reading for gist and details, signposting, skimming, scanning, and note-taking. It also provides suggestions for improving the quality of students' assignments, such as having a positive attitude, using clear signposting language, critical thinking, correct grammar and spell check, using sufficient sources, time management, and correct referencing. Recommendations are given to develop reading and writing skills for future success.

Strategies that student can use
to improve their reading ability

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................2
1. Strategies that help in enhancing reading ability in students...................................................2
2. Suggestions that will help in improving the quality in students assignment...........................3
Recommendations........................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
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INTRODUCTION
Excellent writing begins with good reading. Everytime when an individual read, he/she is
exposed to someone else’s opinion or idea which their way of writing their knowledge,
understanding, vocabulary, use of language and so forth. Reading good content regularly helps in
developing understanding of different topics, evaluating and reflecting written text. The more
effectively one read the more easier it is as it will take less time and person can enjoy the
experience may. Efficient reading is required not only in school and colleges but in entire career
related fields. This report addresses the how students can improve their reading ability and
recommendations that can help student in improving their quality of assignments.
MAIN BODY
1. Strategies that help in enhancing reading ability in students
Discussed below are few strategies which can be used by the students for improving their
reading ability with the help of intensive reading:
Anticipating Content – Anticipating or predicting the content means that student should
familiarise with the text. It can be helpful if the student predict the topic with the help of pictures
and heading it forms a clue in the mind of student that it can be related to that topic. It can be
anticipated by asking question by ourselves such as what this image or picture depicts, what can
be understood from headings and subheadings, what topic can be the article about and any idea
about this article (Djudin, 2017).
Reading for gist – This is similar to skimming; it means to know the core idea behind the content
in the shortest span possible. When the reader takes a quick look at a written content to found its
genre and main idea, he/she is reading for gist.
Reading for details – This means intensive reading, this skill should be used by reader to
understand every part of content. This may be helpful when need analyse and bring out a detailed
answer for the question. By using this skill student can gain greater understanding and detailed
knowledge of the topic.
Signposting – It basically means to use phrases and words which guide the reader through
content of passage (Griffiths and et.al, 2016). Generally, there are two main type of signposting
one is major signpost (introduction, conclusion and main argument) and another is linking words
and small sentences (connecting words guides through argument by connecting ideas).
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Preparing the environment – Reading plays a crucial role in not just student’s education but also
in their social and emotional development. By creating a proper environment in class, home or
whether it be in library where there is effective and discipline environment which makes the
individual focused in reading. Creating such environment is essential step as it helps in
enhancing the literacy skills and to foster pleasure in reading.
Skimming – Skimming refers to reading the content or text quickly, in order to understand or get
main idea or the overall idea (Köksal and Ulum, 2019). Skimming is the gist of the content or
passage. The best example of this that whenever student or anyone go to bookstore in order to
buy the book the first step of selecting a book is to look at the cover page and review the
comments at back cover to get a idea of its content.
Scanning - It involves searching for various things in the content such as symbols, long words
and numbers. This technique will be really helpful in exams while attempting the passages with
the help of long words student can resonate words in the question to the paragraph easily and
then try to figure out answer. This strategy also helps in saving the time in time bound exam by
spotting (Alvarado and Buele, 2019).
Note taking – This is one of the most essential strategies which use helps in understanding the
concept of content with maximum clarity. While writing notes, the individual read and take notes
in his own words, and is enforced to think about the thoughts that are presented in the content or
passage and explaining the meaning coherently. This process of taking notes helps individual in
to retain, evaluate and ultimately learn whatever one has understood.
All these strategies and skills should be implemented by the student to improve their reading
skills. As these are the minor value points if considered while reading can give deeper
understanding of the concepts and will be easy to memorize and build the skill of reading
effectively which will provide benefit whole life and save time.
2. Suggestions that will help in improving the quality in students assignment
The following are the few recommendations which should be followed by student in order to
enhance the quality in their assignments and writings:
Having a positive attitude – It is very essential to have positive attitude towards work or
assignment. As having positive mindset will help student to be more committed, optimistic and
focused towards the given assignment. The dedication can be analysed the teachers through the
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students way of presenting their learning through assignments. Student must think positively
about the results that the assignment can give and attribute to academic success.
Clear Signposting language - Like the road signs shows the way where person has to go on
street, Signposts leads and guides the reader or the student through the content or piece of
writing. It helps the student or reader that what route that the passage will take, constantly
remind the reader about the key points that the writing have and also points out the changes in
the direction (Uhlig and et.al., 2017). In simple words, this signpost give clear understanding of
the writing by following those students can make proper assignments with directions.
Critical Thinking – Critical Thinking is essential because it is related to almost every task,
topics, contents, situations, opportunities and challenges. It refers to reasonable and clear
reflective thinking skill focused on determining what to believe. This helps the students to
expand and engage their think skills while doing assignment or task.
Correct grammar and spell check before submitting – While writing the assignment, students
should constantly check on their assignment whether they are writing the sentences with correct
grammar and right spellings. This little factor shows the way person writes and the quality of his
assignment when the teacher checks the assignments which do not have grammar or spelling
errors, this definitely gives a good impression (Gamberi and Hall, 2019).
Using sufficient sources – Students must use the sufficient no. of sources to complete their
assignments as many sources they will visit will provide more in depth understanding of the
topic. This will also help them in writing the best and appropriate content in the assignment and
also shows teachers that they have done hard work in finding the resources and collecting data
for their assignments.
Time management – The most essential and required skill is the time management following the
time guidelines given with the assignment (Brown-Kramer, 2020). It will helps the student feel
and do task before the deadline and build the skill of time management, as well as increases the
chances of getting good grades by providing the assignment on time.
Correct Referencing – Referencing enables the student to acknowledge the contribution of the
authors, writers and researchers in the task or assignment done by the student. It is a manner to
provide proof to hold the assertions and claims in the students own assignment. By doing the
correct referencing student tell the teacher about the various sources that has been considered
while doing assignment.
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All these are few suggestions that a student should consider while doing an assignment as this
will definitely improve his quality of writing assignment and one more point that student should
follow is to follow the appropriate structure guidelines while doing assignment.
Recommendations
It is the very crucial time in the student’s life when he learns and develops the best reading and
writing skills for his/her upcoming career. It is recommended to every student to improve their
reading skills with the help of following strategies such detailed read, brief reading or gist
reading, scanning and following these strategies in an appropriate environment (Prince, Felder
and Brent, 2020). These skills will help them to become good managers with the appropriate
skill set already acquired and make them differentiated from others. Some other practices and
skills which are taken care of while making assignment will not only provide them good grades
but will develop the systematic writing skills and critical thinking in students.
CONCLUSION
The following report above discuss the ways through which the students can improve his reading
by following various strategies which will give them more clarity of the any concept or any piece
of writing and will also help in evaluating them and gain greater knowledge. The reading and
writing skills stays with the person forever and also evolve them or develop them as a better
person. These skills are a key skill which in future makes the student professional and efficient
person, as having good command on writing and reading skills will provide them think critically,
greater clarity and save time.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Djudin, T., 2017. Using metacognitive strategies to improve reading comprehension and solve a
word problem. Journal of Education, Teaching and Learning. 2(1). pp.124-129.
Griffiths, G.G., and et.al, 2016. Evaluation of use of reading comprehension strategies to
improve reading comprehension of adult college students with acquired brain
injury. Neuropsychological rehabilitation. 26(2). pp.161-190.
Köksal, D. and Ulum, Ö.G., 2019. Classroom Implications of Teaching Strategies to Improve
Reading. The Reading Matrix: An International Online Journal. 19(1).
Alvarado Zambrano, J.E. and Buele Zhapan, G.M., 2019. Using strategies to improve reading
comprehension level (Bachelor's thesis, Universidad de Guayaquil. Facultad de
Filosofía, Letras y Ciencias de la Educación).
Prince, M., Felder, R. and Brent, R., 2020. Active Student Engagement in Online STEM Classes:
Approaches and Recommendations. Advances in Engineering Education, 8.
Uhlig, R., and et.al., 2017. Enhancing Student Collaboration for Improved Learning. Journal of
Modern Education Review (JMER). 7(8).
Gamberi, C. and Hall, K., 2019. Undergraduates can publish too! A case study of a scientific
team writing assignment leading to publication. International Journal of Science
Education. 41(1). pp.48-63.
Brown-Kramer, C.R., 2020. Improving Students’ Study Habits and Course Performance With a
“Learning How to Learn” Assignment. Teaching of Psychology. p.0098628320959926.
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