Reading is the actor of capturing information through the interpretation of letters and symbols that make up a text. Being so, we are always reading things, whether voluntarily or not. However, the reading experience is not always the same, since there are several types of reading depending on the technique used or the reader’s level of comprehension, among other factors.
Reading brings us numerous benefits and some of them are unknown to most, but not everything interests us or not all the information we receive can be considered valid. That is why we use different ways of reading.
- Also discover the 5 types of text that exist.
How many types of reading are there?
In general terms, we can distinguish between a visual reading and a tactile reading , which is the one carried out by a blind person to interpret the code that he reviews with his fingers. In the following lines we focus on reading through the eyes, and we can distinguish about eleven types according to different factors.
On the other hand, we must distinguish between the type of reading and the reading strategy, which is a method based on a series of steps. An example of a reading strategy is PhotoReading, invented by Paul R. Scheele . The 11 types of reading
Without further delay, we present the different types or models of reading. It should also be noted that not all are suitable for certain texts or readers.1. Oral
reading Oral reading takes place when the reader expresses what he is reading out loud , usually to convey the message to another person. Mainly, it has a social function, although it is used during learning to read, since the sound helps the message and ideas of the text to be memorized more easily. 2. Silent reading
Contrary to oral reading, silent reading does not involve any type of sound, since the reader interprets the text “inside himself” . It implies a high level of concentration, since otherwise the reader could lose the thread of the reading. We can deduce, therefore, that this is the most common type of reading. 3. Shallow reading
In light reading, the reader performs a kind of rapid scan of the text. In this way he can capture the main ideas , as long as the text is presented in a structured way and some details are highlighted. A reading halfway between the superficial and a deep reading could be the diagonal reading, where key aspects of the text are reviewed. 4. Selective reading
If what we want is to extract certain information from a text, we can do a selective reading. The reader looks for certain key words to identify which is the part that most interests him . Like skimming, it’s done quickly and doesn’t require too much concentration. 5. Comprehensive reading
This is a deeper level of reading, where the reader tries to understand the entire message . It is produced in a more leisurely manner and often requires a context or prior knowledge on the part of the reader. You can also reread some parts that were not clear at first.
A reading can be done in many ways. | Chris Benson. 6. Critical
reading Critical reading refers to the type of reading in which the text is analyzed in an analytical and critical way . The reader can take the text for granted, determine its relevance or contrast the information with other sources. In a way, it can serve to extract arguments contrary to those of the text itself. It requires a slow and deep reading.7. Intrinsic
reading Through intrinsic reading, we expand the information provided by the text with our own words. An example might be a speech in which the speaker adds small excerpts to the prepared piece of writing to amplify the information and capture the audience’s attention. It requires a certain degree of spontaneity. 8. Inferential reading
In some way, inferential reading is related to intrinsic reading. In both cases we expand the ideas written in our own words, but in the case of the inferential we make a series of assumptions based on the text, without assuming that they are true. 8. Recreational reading
When we sit on the sofa with a good book in our hands (regardless of the genre), we are carrying out recreational reading or reading for entertainment. It can be oral, to involve other people, or silent. The ultimate goal is not to understand all the ideas written, but to enjoy the mere fact of reading through the literature or the essay. 9. Phonological
reading Phonological reading does not attach as much importance to the comprehension of the text as a whole as to the phonetics and pronunciation of the words . It is common when we are learning a language, although it is also used to treat dyslexia. 10. Denotative
reading The denotative reading is, basically, thelearning to read . First we separate each of the parts (intro, middle and end) and determine in what order it goes. People who already have minimal reading comprehension perform this process involuntarily. 11. Involuntary reading
Last but not least, we find involuntary reading. It is when we capture a text and even understand it without that being our intention . It occurs when we see an advertising poster on the street or see the license plate of a car. Through involuntary reading we capture an enormous amount of information every day.
- Also discover what journalistic genres are and which ones exist.
Bibliographic references
Castillo A. (2005). Minimal history of the book and reading. Madrid: Seven Seas.
Cavallo, G. and Chartier, R. (1996). History of a theory of reading in the western world. Madrid: Taurus.
