Thursday, September 20, 2007

Why do we read?

What is reading?

Reading involves an interaction between a specific type of text or written material and a reader who has a purpose for reading that is related to the type of text and the context of the reading situation.

The three purposes for reading are:

Reading for literary purpose
Reading to gain information
Reading to perform a task

Reading for literary purpose:

Reading for literary experience involves reading literary text to explore the human condition, to relate narrative events with personal experience, and to consider the interplay in the selection among emotions, events, and possibilities.

Reading to gain information:

Reading to gain information involves reading informative passages in order to obtain some general or specific information. This often requires a more practical approach to reading that requires the use of certain reading/thinking strategies different from those used for other purposes. In addition, reading to gain information often involves reading and interpreting aids such as charts, graphs, maps, and tables that provide data.

Reading to perform a task:

Reading to perform a task involves reading various types of materials for the purpose of applying the information or directions in completing a specific task. The reader’s purpose for gaining meaning extends beyond understanding the text to include the accomplishment of a certain activity.