1. The Office
Procedures and Technology
Chapter 7 (a)
Communication, reading and
writing at work (Part 1)
Copyright© 2007 Thomson/South-Western

2. Objectives
1. Why do we need to read?
2. How do we improve our reading skill?
a. Comprehension
b. Vocabulary
c. Speed
Slide 2

3. Slide 3
Purposes for Reading at Work
 Learning about the company
 Following instructions on forms
 Using references/databases
 Responding to inquiries
 Other job duties
Lecture 13-14 Reading and Writing at Work

4. Slide 4
Purposes for Reading at Work
 Understanding instructions for equipment
or software
(e.g. Blackboard)

5. How do you improve reading skill
 Critical reading skills require three areas:
1. Comprehension
2. Vocabulary
3. Speed
Slide 5

6. Slide 6
1.Comprehension
 Understanding what you have read
 Practice techniques can improve skill
 Focus  Sequence
 Identify purpose  Draw a mental picture
 Scan  Checkup
 Summarize  Reread

7. Improve reading comprehension
 Focus
Put aside anything else on your mind when
you begin to read.
 Identify purpose
 Before you begin, ask “what do I want to know
when I have completed this reading?”
 Scan
 Get an overview of the page, the chapter, article,
or book before you read carefully.
Slide 7

8. Improving reading comprehension
 Summarize
 Mentally summarize as you move from one
paragraph to another, particularly if you are
reading to gain information for handing a task.
 Sequence
 After reading several paragraphs, try to think of
the ideas in an appropriate order.
 Draw a mental picture
 Attempt to imagine what it is that is being
discussed.
Slide 8

9. Improving reading comprehension
 Checkup
 Determine, through a fast review of key points,
whether you have learned what you expected to
learn.
 Reread
 Begin a new to read what you have just read if
you are not satisfied with you checkup process.
Slide 9

10. Slide 10
2.Vocabulary
 Words you know and understand
 Determine meaning from context or by
considering word parts
 Check the meaning in a dictionary or other
reference

11. Slide 11
3.Speed
 Rate at which you read
 Improve reading rate with practice
 Focus on an entire paragraph
 Time your reading and set goals
 Force yourself ahead as you read