Reading is the very complex psycho-linguistic process by which we extract information from standardized symbols that have had meanings assigned to them. Reading, like walking, can be mastered after a long process of growing and learning has taken place. Reading, however, is a much more complex activity than walking and requires both a much higher level of cognitive development and a host of specific skills. For most human beings, the beginning of this process occurs at around age six and continues throughout adulthood.
Much of the acquisition of knowledge at the college level is from printed material, which can take the form of text books and handouts or interactive electronic media including computers and programs and the Internet. The skills required for reading at the college level include a greater sophistication and ability to:
Understand and develop vocabulary.
Extract the main idea or thesis and major supporting details of written information.
Summarize and recognize rhetorical modes.
Develop and enhance reading rates for different purposes.
Distinguish facts from opinions.
Draw appropriate inferences.
Accurately ascertain the author's purpose and tone.
Recognize fallacies and overgeneralizations in argument and persuasion.
The level of reading skills required for success in college depends on a variety of factors. Some of these factors include the type of courses, the amount of required reading, and the academic rigor of the program of study.
College of the Siskiyous' Reading Courses and the Reading Lab are designed to develop and enhance the reading skills of all students. Perhaps, the greater benefit is that the reading skills acquired will continue to serve students well in their career, lifelong learning, and everyday life.
For more detailed information about the Reading Courses and Services offered at the College of the Siskiyous, visit the following links:
Read 10 Read 10 Online Reading Lab
