What On Earth Is Intensive Reading?

 

Hello fellas, welcome back to my blog. I'm Azra Salimah Yapono 

In today's blog, I'm going to bring you guys along with me on our journey to discover 

"what is intensive reading?"

Well, intensive reading roots from the word "Intensive" which we know as an intense-hard-chronic. when we gather the word intensive and reading, it means an intense process when we read something, which could be varied, ranging from articles, quotes, journals, or books.

In this 'intensive reading' process, the quantity would not be that important, but how many aspects you can grasp from the reading materials. This is different from 'extensive reading' in that quantity is an important aspect.

Intensive reading will require you to put full attention and focus on the reading materials. You need to interpret on your own what the reading is actually about.

The question that likely would appear when you read the reading intensively are;

"What is the main topic of this article"

"What is actually going on in this scene"

"What the author wants me to interpret this dialogue", etc.

With this intensive reading, you will likely have many questions about the reading, and it will also shape your critical thinking.

There are numerous advantages that you can get with this intense reading stage, you will probably enhance your vocabulary will benefit you during the exam, speaking-writing sections in IELTS/TOEFL, or just know the meaning of what people are actually trying to say, in short-connected with others.

When you read something, the way you are able to interpret some written text is important, you need to engage with the text. In this part, punctuation is even important, you can easily predict the tone of what the author is saying. 

Then, how can we read intensively?

Firstly, you need to take some notes. After you read a paragraph or a chapter, write it down everything that appears in your mind. Your opinion about the paragraph, the main idea, what you actually get from that reading, the subjects, new vocabulary, etc. Or maybe some questions that you are still confused about what is actually about.

Next, break down everything that you obtain from the reading. Brainstorm the idea that you've grasped from the reading, you can find the connection with others, and also gather your thoughts in sequential order.

Last but not least is to apply what you've learned from the reading. 

Okay, I'll bring some examples of the importance of intensive reading here, check it out;

See the difference? Yap, that's why the punctuation part of intensive reading is essential. From the first panel, we indicate that the children perhaps ask the chef why he loves baking, then the chef says that 'I just love to bake, children!' it makes sense right? He emphasizes the children because the children ask him directly. Move to the next panel, the same situation as the first, however now the chef says it without any comma, which is 'I just love to bake children!', scary right? It means he is a psychopath that loves to bake children. So, when we read something or write something make sure to always use proper punctuation so that people wouldn't misunderstand what the reading is about, and always grasp the read before you interpret it on your own.

Here is another example:

Funny right? What she is talking about with the cats and dogs, do they understand what she says? Is it possible for the girl to say that to cats and dogs? Well, apparently, there is an idiom "It's raining cats and dogs" which means it's heavily raining right now. So it's not literally showing the cats and the dogs about the rain, but indicates that it is raining heavily.

Seems easy right? If you have not used to reading heavy books, then try the light ones. Such as magazines. Take some notes then brainstorm, what you get, think critically about the idea of that magazine, find some new vocabulary, and apply it to your life. After you are already used to intensive reading, see how you could easily read other books and articles surrounding you, and your critical thinking also would shape easily.

Thank you!

Azra Salimah Yapono

Reference: 

https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/what-is-intensive-reading/#:~:text=What%20Is%20Intensive%20Reading%3F,or%2010%20articles%20a%20day.&text=You'll%20be%20able%20to,comprehension%2C%20vocabulary%20and%20language%20skills.

https://www.lucalampariello.com/intensive-vs-extensive-reading/

https://novcon.co.za/2017/02/18/the-importance-of-punctuation/

http://www.theenglishstudent.com/blog/archives/11-2013