I was noticing today while I was reading aloud that I stumble a lot on the words. I have to go back and reread lines, because I will say words that aten't even there and I will catch myself and correct myself... and like when there is a question mark I might have to go back and read the question again and give it that little questioning voice tilt.. instead of reading it like a declation. When I read silently I read fluently and very quickly on some books, then on other books where the writing is a bit more obscure, it is more difficult to comprehend.
Now mind you, I don't have a problem reading a book that I have already read. I can read that aloud or silently as fast as the wind.. but I am reading the Tim LaHaye Book Armageddon and I am having to go back and read almost every paragraph over for clarity. I like the book, it isn't boring or anything.. but I don't get why I have this difference or orally reading and silently reading so differently. Today I noticed I sounded like a 5th grader trying to read a college book when reading aloud. I don't get it.
My own writing I have no problem with reading silently or aloud, because I am used to my own style. I think part of my problem might be the writing styles of some authors... but maybe also the sentence structure may be a bit awkward sometimes too.
Do you read better silently than aloud? Do you stumble on words and punctuation when reading aloud? Just wondering?
[question posted by OreoCookie3]
responses and comments:
i am not a good outloud reader either. i prefer to read silently becuase i tend to skip words (especially if the author is just describing a room or something) i always stumble when i read out loud, even if it to the kids! [cher913]
I don't skip words, because I want to know what something feels like, looks like, tastes like... I want to know it all... but I am so aggravated that I do stumble when reading aloud. It seems that the act of vocalizing is much harder than just reading with the eyes. I vocalize in my throat sort of... not speaking, but I feel the muscles in my throat tighten when I form words. My lips don't move, but my throat silently vocalizes when I read with my eyes only. But aloud I sound like a kid that can't read! If I have to read something for church or something, I am rehearsed and i read fluently aloud... and if I have read a book before, the second time is so easy even if it has been years. There seems that familiarity with the subject makes it easier to read aloud too. [OreoCookie3]
I usually read silently. It's easier to speed read across boring description when you read silently. But if I am trying to absorb something and I'm not quite getting it, or there are some noisy kids nearby distracting me, then I will take to reading aloud. There have been times where the wording of a sentence has thrown me off and I would read it two or three times and finally have to read it out loud in order to get it. My own writing I always read out loud. If you are a writer it is imperative that you read your work out loud so you can see how it flows. I even read my work out loud before I learned that you are supposed to. That is why we have a writer's group so we can read our work out loud. That way people can catch something you might have missed. But then, when I hear other people reading out loud I phase right out and have to read their copy in order to absorb it. [patgalca]
I have to read mine aloud to edit, because I tend to read too fast and maybe miss something. But I find some books a bit harder to read, like the verbiage doesn't flow so well sometimes. I'm having to reread everything in the book I am reading, but I actually like the book... but it is a little awkward and hard to follow too until I keep reading. [OreoCookie3]
Yes, I read better silently than aloud. I would stumble on words if I read aloud. I think it is more on being concious hearing our own voice, pronouncing the words rpoperly...that makes us stumble when we read aloud. I understand better what I read silently...can't concentrate hearing my voice and hearing noises around me. Even when I was a student I prefer to study quietly in the library for several hours. [toni_nakama]
Hi toni, I think I am stumbling over my voice...not sure.. but my comprehension is down too in some readings and not others... depending on the style of writing I am reading. I used to read quite eloquently aloud, but now I seem to stumble... maybe it is age, or maybe I am slipping a bit... As a kid I used to have problems with comprehension too.. maybe I am in my second childhood..lolz. [OreoCookie3]
Hello Oreo! :) I prefer to read silently most of the time. It's faster and easier to me. But sometimes I will read things aloud just to hear the sound of the words. I like to hear the words. I used to have to read aloud a lot in my former job. In front of a lot of people. At first I was real nervous about it, but I would always just take my time and not get in a hurry and I never had any stumbling over words problems at all. [Transdisc]
I am so glad to hear you have no problems reading aloud Tranny. I used to be able to read well aloud. I went through a spell a few months ago where I quit reading books at all because I had trouble reading and concentrating. Now I am reading again and I am having some problems again, but I am still reading. It is kind of like when I was a kid, I had problems reading. I write well, and I can study well... but some books I really have problems with. It's like I have a hard time with sentence structure that is long or awkward... like I get lost in all the verbiage. [OreoCookie3]
I definitely notice a difference, and I read much more smoothly when I read silently. I don't know why it is, but for me part of it is being aware that other people can hear me and being insecure about my voice. Not that I think there is anything wrong with my voice, but I am just generally a bit insecure. [Sillychick]
See, that is where we are different. I am a public speaker... have been in college. I spoke about literacy education in my town, at the Rotary club, at the Lions Club, and at city banquets. I had my little 3 by 5 cards to help cue me, but I spoke from the heart. I won my school and district, but lost in the state championship of the EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian for Literacy Education). I am very comfortable with public speaking. I also had an adult sunday School where I had to speak to a crowd. I spoke at 2 GED graduations ( I was in the paper as the keynote speaker).. so no problem with that. I was told I should make a career out of speaking... I never did, but now I am writing instead, which is sort of the same thing. [OreoCookie3]
Reading aloud is HARD! I can do it when it's something like poetry, but prose I stumble over pretty bad. I have an easier time making up stories off the top of my head to tell my son than reading to him, but I make sure to read to him too since it's good for him. Some of the books that we read more often I think I say from memory while turning the pages... ;P [lecanis]
Hi Lecan, yes it is good for your child to hear you read. I don't have a problem with my writing, nor with poetry.. but certain types of literature that is complicated is really hard for me to follow. I will have to go over it over and over before I actually understand. But sometimes I read for the first time and I don't even recall what I read. [OreoCookie3]
absolutely I can read silently better than aloud and faster at that too. I have to say right now that our brains are wired that even if there is a typo, that if the first and last letters are correct that we can still make the word out and not see the typo there. This has been proven time and time again. And I definitely read easier if someone is not reading over my shoulder and I have to wait for them to catch up to me because THEY DO read aloud. mooch [oneandonemakesix]
I hear ya Mooch! And the typos, I don't always see them, so I always use spell and grammar check when I write professionally. [OreoCookie3]
This is going to sound real weird, If I am on my own I can't read aloud, the words don't sink in, and after a page I will think to myself what happened! I can only read to myself silently, however when I have an audience, for example when I used to read to children, I know the books were for children but the story was sinking in and I understood and appreciate it more when I read it out aloud. Maybe it's a child's book, but when I was reading Lord of The Rings at school I could competently read it out in the class, must be old age creeping up on me! The wolf is going grey it seems! [wolfie34]
That is so neat that you love to read to children. I used to read to my daughter and I made up voices for every character. She loved it. She always wanted me to read that way when she was little. [OreoCookie3]
hmmmmmmmmm no, I don't usually stumble at all when reading orally , I read maybe 6 times as fast silently though and it does depend on what I'm reading a good poem should always be savoured I think [kurtbiewald]
Yes, I read much faster silently too, but some stuff I still have comprehension issues. I love poetry too... especially my own...hehe. [OreoCookie3]
It is easier for me to read silently to myself also then out loud. I am not sure why but I also like to speed read at times and it is hard to do this when you read aloud! [kimlot]
I took speed reading in college, and it did help me with comprehension when I read for enjoyment and not speed reading... but in speed reading I never seemed to remember anything... but it must have helped my casual reading... But this particular book I am reading keeps me reading like a 5th grader... lolz. [OreoCookie3]
Yeah, I find I do that sometimes. If it is something I know nothing about or if it was rather complicated and I just needed to read it again to let it all sink in. But I find I read better and faster silient than aloud. I will read to my GD's and leave out words or put in extras or make it sound more funny or some how like that change or add. WOuldn't say it is a problem, just a "to each is own" kind of thing. Then theres the times that I skim as I am really not interested or just to wordy or something. Guss Im taking out all the fun in reading!!! [coffeebreak]
Yeah coffeebreak.. I know.. and the first read for me is no memory at all... then go back and read it again... and say Whaaattt! then the 3rd time I am beginning to get it... but this is with complicated sentence structure and a lot of scene changes. It's like it is hard to keep up with each scene and I get confused. It flips from set to set and back again. I am fixing to go on and start reading some more. I am taking a couple of hours each night to read. I want to finish that book... then I will read the last one of the series... The Glorious Appearing. I think that is the last one anyway. [OreoCookie3]
I'm a silent reader. I understand what I read better when I read silently rather than reading out loud. [foxygirle]
I normally do read silently, but sometimes I read to the dog when he is in bed with me.. he seems to like hearing my voice. When he is riding with us, and maybe I am waiting on my daughter to do some banking or something... I will get out the book and read to him. He gets anxious when she gets out of his sight, and reading to him calms his anxiety. He quiets right down. That is mostly why I read aloud is to calm the pooch. When I am editing my writing for publishing I always read it aloud too to find errors. [OreoCookie3]
for me i can understand better when am reading silently that's why i can't study when the environment is noisy.... [scoles]
I do also read more fluently when I read silently, but sometimes I still don't comprehend and have to go back. I just totally forget what I read. [OreoCookie3]
Hi oreocookie:) I read better in my head than outloud.My boyfriend reads out loud and it drives me bonkers,haha!I just cannot read out loud and never could,even in school,oh well. Peanutjar:) [peanutjar]
Haaa! I read to my daughter's pooch. When he gets in bed with me, he starts whining when I am reading. He shoves me with his little paw and looks at me expectantly. He lies down and settles in when I read aloud to him. Is he spoiled or what? [OreoCookie3]
I think that I am able to absorb the information from what I am reading better if I read it silently. When I read out louds I tend to know remember what I read. However if I am checking for punchation or grammer in my own writings it helps to read it outloud to see my mistakes. [missybal]
Exactly! I edit by reading aloud. I too enjoy reading silently better... but still sometimes have comprehension problems... not always. Last night I had no problem.. but sometimes I do. Maybe it is distraction? [OreoCookie3]
I think reading is there in my blood. i xan read anything, anywhere in any situation. But i prefer to read silently. in my childhood my mom used to make me read loudly as she thought reading loudly will help me to memorize things more. But she found out I am a genius at reading.LOL. Actually I could memorize my elder brother's lessons just by hearing him reading . He was in 7 standards upper tahn me! But i always prefer to read silently. [subha12]
OhhhhhWeee! I wish I had your ability to remember like that. I do have to work at comprehension sometimes. I prefer to read silently too. [OreoCookie3]
I read better silently especially fiction. When I read aloud, I focus more on my voice and how I pronounce a word...in the process I miss the point or fail to understand. But there are times when I am studying and I do not understand a few lines, I read aloud and try to envisage. But that takes a lot of concentration on my part. [SViswan]
I understand completely. Thanks for stopping bye Sviswan. I do the same thing. [OreoCookie3]
The only time I used to read aloud was in my "acting" days and I was memorizing scripts since I had to "get" the tone or voice of my character I was playing. When I read in general I always read silently. But here's a twist from you. When I write, whether articles, letters, or my fiction work, I talk it out aloud. Seems I write better when I say the words out loud that I'm thinking about. Weird no? [pyewacket]
Now Sassy was different; she would sit on my book too and demand attention... but Ivan will lie right down and listen to the drone of my voice. He goes to sleep. Yep, that little tyke has a soul the size of TEXAS! He still misses Sassy too...He goes to my door and whines sitting there as if to ask... where is she? [OreoCookie3]
I find myself reading better and more efficiently if I read to myself in silent. It is faster than I do out loud. I would tell story to my children reading their books and gosh I enjoy that but for me to read one of my own books out loud it's no fun for me and I don't really prefer to do it that way. I use to have to read out loud in order to learn the subject better but that is only for school if I am reading for pleasure it would have to be for myself in silent. If for school I would say it is best for me to read aloud..... [cartoon4umaniacs]
My daughter and her pooch enjoy me reading aloud. She reads, but she does like to hear me read sometimes. Yesterday she asked me to read aloud while we were waiting on her hubby to do some things. We waited in the truck and I read aloud to her and Ivan. It is a bit more difficult for me to do that... just slows me down a bit. [OreoCookie3]
I think I like silent reading, for reading silently can help me read faster and easier to catch the main idea about the context. Reading aloud may draw a lot of my attention in words and pronunciation, sometimes it is a waste of time. And reading silently will not effect other people's reading, so it is liked by many people here. [nini168]
I agree it can be distracting when others are trying to read too. Just think if everyone was doing it.. there would be a cacophony of sounds! [OreoCookie3]
Sometimes it sinks in more when I read aloud because I tend to be an auditory learner, especially when the written word is expressed in such a way I am not accustomed to. However, like most people, I usually read much faster silently than aloud. I wouldn't say I stumble on words/punctuation any more or less one way than the other. I will say I need complete and utter silence when reading silently though because I am easily distracted by outside noises. [skydancer]
I agree... silently is preferable, and faster. [OreoCookie3]
As per brain power study reveals, anyone who read aloud, will too late to complete the subject and also to understand. As our brain comprises of two halfs i,e. Left Brain & Right Brain and they do the different tasks at a time. If you read aloud, then your brain remain busy during the study, so it cann't concentrate your reading speed. Another interesting thing you might have known that "Read Faster to Understand better". You can magically improve your reading speed with in 30 minutes if you read silent and it would be better if you use your finger to guide your eyes. [bkpdp1]
No, I didn't know that about the reading aloud keeps both sides of the brain busy and slows us down but it makes sense because I am markedly slower reading aloud. Thanks for that info. I often wondered what the difference is. And I can really read fast when I get into a book I really like. It might take a bit, but then I am flying... so you might be right on that! [OreoCookie3]
well my friend i prefer to read aloud so i can hear what i wrote and how it sounds.i always tend to find my mistakes that way.i love to read aloud to my children as well.pattie [3lilangels]
I edit reading aloud too when I write. If I read silently I go too fast and may miss something. :D. I know your children must love you reading to them. [OreoCookie3]
Yes, I too feel I am better at reading silently than loudly . [ptrikha1]
I'm the same way... thanks for stopping bye! [OreoCookie3]
Hi,there! Well,I have the habit to read things silently.I think it's just very fast and very convenient.Some of my friends read things aloud and they don't read that quickly.I seldom read things aloud but I also find out that when I read sth aloud,I also stumble on some words sometimes.I read things aloud on the situation that others also wanna know about the content. It states things more clear.When I'm alone,I prefer the silent way:) Thanks for the discussion and have a nice day^_^ [fanji008]
I prefer silently too. It is much faster. [OreoCookie3]
I'm glad I'm not th only one... I hate reading outloud 'cuz I stumble on words and after I finish I feel stupid... why can't people leave me alone and just let me read silently (I'm much better at that) [redk55]
The brain can actually slow down... wow [redk55]
I always read silently.There is no reason to read aloud, unless you are reading something for someone else to hear.At those needs, i try to be as fast as i can because i dont like reading aloud.Silent reading gives you a better understanding of what you read i guess, because brain focuses on understanding meaning instead of doing two works at a time. Thats my opinion anyway. [makatas]
Believe it or not, I have to read aloud some to comfort our pooch. He likes to be read to, and if I am reading silently he jumps up on my bed where I am reading and starts pestering me until I start reading aloud. When I read to him he quiets down and lies there quietly and goes to sleep. Funny dog! [OreoCookie3]
I am better at reading silently and i mostly read silently like novels and the stories or other things..I read aloud when i need to byheart something like the answers and which we need to write in the exams.. I read silently when i need to understand something and i read twice each paragraph in a novel when there is something interesting and need to remember and dont like to read aloud.. [paradise12]
When I was studying too, I sometimes studied aloud in my room to memorize stuff. [OreoCookie3]
i feel very comfortable while studying silently.i am very much sensetive in the sense that i like silence while studying.any kind of disturbance diverges my attention and i lose my stemna. [drilyas]
I too can get easily distracted.. but I can focus and sort of tune out too sometimes. [OreoCookie3]
I have never been good at reading out loud, even way, way back in school, especially if I had to stand up in front of the class. I also can't read if I hear the TV, radio or people talking, I really hate that. Maybe with practice we would be able to get over this. I think a lot of it has to do with concetration. [sweets57]
I hear ya, I can't even talk on the phone unless the TV is turned at least down low, not that I can't hear, but it makes it hard for me to concentrate. Mayby my nerves are bad, lol. Thanks for your comment. [sweets57]
I prefer to read silently. I don't understand anything if I read aloud. I have no problem on reading something aloud if I had read it many times or if crowd is familiar to me. Sometimes my nervousness well cause to falter in reading. Then my voice high and low. I have to read the book once. Imprompto reading aloud makes me falter always. [liera0]
Yes, I do that too. I do better reading aloud if I have already read the book once or whatever it is I am reading. [OreoCookie3]
I also have that problem when I am reading aloud. I have always had that problem. But I think my problem is when I read out loud, I dont take my time. I read really fast. And when I am reading silently, I seem to take my time. [toryaslim822]
I read much faster silently. I do though try to take enough time not to rush. I want to understand everything. [OreoCookie3]
I don't usually stumble upon a word or a punctuation,but no doubt that reading silently is a lot easier and faster than reading aloud. [Daffodil20]
I agree that silently is much easier. Thanks for stopping by. [OreoCookie3]
I read better silently. I seem to also stumble over the words when I'm reading aloud. I think its cause my mind is father along the sentence then my mouth is. I catch myself reading silently instead of aloud. [onecutehoneybear]
Now, I hadn't thought of that... the catching up part... :D [OreoCookie3]
I think I do, too. I really have to concentrate and be trying to read the sentence ahead while saying what I memorized from the sentence before in order to not stutter and stumble over the sentence. That's probably why I don't enjoy reading out loud. [breepeace]
It's much easier for me also to read to myself. I do read to my dog while he is on the bed. He likes to hear my voice as I read and he goes to sleep. He will tease me to read to him.. I just figured it out one day that this is what he wanted. [OreoCookie3]
i rather read silently than allowed. like you, i'm affected with the punctuations and pronunciations when i read aloud. i would be conscious of the way i pronounce the words and i would be disregarding the meaning of the sentence or the idea of what i'm reading just as long as i am pronouncing every words correctly and the every grammar correctly. ^__^;; especially if i stumble upon a word that i only encountered that time, i would tend to get lost to my reading. ^__^;; [secretbear]
I think very good discussion yu start my friend.. this is depends upon persons .. But i will tell one thing if we will read in loudly means we will get the correct puctuation & pronunciation of tthat word , if i have the exams also i will use to study loudly most of the time studying i will prefer to loudly but i will not disturb anyone i will select a good calm palce there i will read loudly there i will get more concentration..Then i will read some novel means i like to read to silently .. When i take book i need some calm atmosphere whether studying or novel reading both.. [neethucool]
well i think that when we are a child our parents or teacher make us read loudly so that they can get to know what wrong we are doing.however as we grow up reading aloud does not give that uch concentration and so slowly and steadily we adopt thew habit of reading in our mind.we can read very fastly in our mind and also with full concentration,however reading loudly does not fascinates us anyomre and if try then we lose concentration and just cannot read properly since our mind is ont able ot concentrate.its all about habits.well for a long tme i have tried reading loudly.but idont think so i would stumble on any words. [nkhanna]
hi oreocookie, took some time to 'test & experiment'... =) Usually, i read silently... where i can 'hear' the words in my head. only when i am in noisy place - the train - i need to re-read certain sentences - so that i could the words (with my ears) above the noise... so, i guess as long as i can 'hear' the words - in my head, or in my ears... i can understand what i read.. i havent read out loud in such a long time... (opps! there goes another one of my secrets... i seldom read to my kids... =( ) but, when i do - and i read something for the first time - i dont think i sound like a 5th grader... but i know i sound boring... but if it's something that i've read before - i 'play-act', as well... (like an actor reading a script / story.. 1st. time just to know the story... after that - act-it-out... but i am no julia roberts... ahaks... =) peace! [4mymak]
When I am studying, and memorizing things, I usually read aloud, but when it comes to novels, i am more comfortable reading silently. :) [tryxiness]
Yes, I can understand well if I will read it silently rather than reading it louder..........no I won't hesitate to read even if I really do not know the proper pronounciation then I would asked before pronouncing it....... [cherylal]
Hi there Cookie Yes like you I read better silently as I to find that when I read loud that I stumble on the words which is really strange and I can not explain it [gabs8513]
I find it easy to read aloud. When I read silently, I skip over things and then if someone would ask me about a certain incident that happened in the novel, I would not be able to answer. I am mainly a visual or an oral person so I remember something I hear and see rather than what I read. I do a lot of writing, and so when I read the paragraphs, I can catch the booboos and I do need more practice in speaking, so reading a book is good for me, but the trouble is I am a bit of the ham and I also decide to act it out as well. [suspenseful]