It is important to use two different reading strategies to understand longer texts in English: Close Reading and Extensive Reading. Both reading methods are necessary to improve effective reading skills, but each has different goals and approaches.
1. Close Reading
Close reading is a reading method that involves a thorough understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and structure while analyzing a text in detail. This is especially necessary when reading difficult texts or academic content.
“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has raised concerns about its potential impact on employment, ethics, and human decision-making. While AI can enhance efficiency, critics argue that it might replace human workers and lead to unforeseen consequences.”
Reading:
- Vocabulary Check
- Check important words such as “advancement,” “concerns,” “potential impact,” “efficiency,” and “unforeseen consequences.
- Grammar / Structure Analysis
- The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence” ➡ Subject
- “has raised concerns about…” ➡ Verb + object
- While AI can enhance efficiency, critics argue that…” ➡ Comprehend the relationship between adverbial clauses and main clauses
- Comprehension of content:
- The article states that advances in AI may have an impact on employment and ethics.
Advantages of close reading:
- Enhanced grammar and vocabulary
- Accurate comprehension
- Improved reading comprehension of difficult texts
2. Extensive Reading
Extensive reading is a reading method in which a large amount of text is read without using a dictionary as much as possible to get a general understanding of the overall meaning of the text. The goal is to read quickly while grasping the flow and theme of the story.
“John loved traveling. Ever since he was a child, he had dreamed of exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. As soon as he graduated from college, he packed his bags and set off on a journey around the world.”
How to read:
- Get the whole story:
- We learn that John has dreamed of traveling since he was a child and started traveling the world after graduating from college.
- Don’t worry about the small words:
- Even if you don’t understand the meaning of “exploring” or “set off,” it is OK as long as you understand that “John started traveling” from the context. Do not skip over words at random.
- No dictionary: Read the text as you guess the meaning of the whole sentence.
- Read while guessing the meaning of the entire sentence.
Supplement: Predicting the content of sentences
Keeping abreast of the latest themes in English literature and having knowledge in a variety of fields makes it easier to predict the content of a text.
Advantages of Extensive Reading:
- Improved reading speed
- Natural increase in vocabulary
- Familiarization with English texts
How to distinguish between Close Reading and Extensive Reading
- Close reading: to understand accurately and learn grammar and vocabulary (when reading difficult texts)
- Extensive Reading: Grasp the overall meaning and improve your speed-reading ability (when enjoying stories and news articles)
Summary:
Developing a solid foundation through close reading and improving reading speed through extensive reading are the keys to improving comprehension of long English texts.