A Prologomenon to Reading
One of the demands in seminary life is to be able to read the mandatory references, textbooks and folias, which our professors require. Therefore, it is necessary that seminarians must have had developed a good reading level and a habit for such skill. If one need to cope with school work, one must have the willingness to undergo the subtle and complex process involved in reading.
Mills Fintz illustrates the reading process as follows: (1) Word perception, (2) Comprehension, (3) Reaction and (4) Integration. Word perception requires proper eye movement, identification of printed symbols and their intended meaning, reading speed, and decoding skill. Comprehension on the other hand, requires an identification of the main idea, the specific details, sequence and directions to be followed. It also involves the skill of making inferences, sensing relationships, drawing conclusions and recognizing the author’s purpose and feelings. When comprehension is fully recognized, a reaction follows. This step includes the ability to judge the accuracy, quality and worth of what was understood. Once ideas are accepted and become a part of a reader’s total experience, the assimilation or integration process takes place. In this stage, new ideas are integrated and become part of all past related experiences.
Reading is a basic tool for learning in all subject areas. If one think reading is a simple process, he is definitely wrong. If you are able to finish a book and understand its content, you have just undergone a complex process which involves different skills and abilities. Unless one has developed these elementary skills and abilities, academic life will surely be a burden.
- Emil Ascaņo