Research
for academic purpose on “Reading habit”
Paper: English
Language Teaching (ELT)
2/16/2016
Prepared by: 1]
VanitaTadha
2] AsmitaGond
3] SonalBaraiya
4]
VanitaBaldaniya
5] DayaGohel
6] Neha Mehta
Under the guidance of Dr.
DilipBarad
Department
of English
Maharaja
Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
Bhavnagar
BATCH:
2014-2016
|
Sr No.
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Table of Contents
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1
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What
is reading habit?
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2
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Methodology
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3
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Different
Reading Techniques
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|
The
four main types of reading techniques are the following:
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|
What
Is Skimming?
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What
Is Scanning?
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Intensive
Reading
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Extensive
reading
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4
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How
many ways people are using for reading?
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5
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Which
types of sources people would like to read?
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6
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What
people think about reading?
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1]
Children
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·
Which types of reading children like?
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·
Analysis of children’s reading source
|
|
·
Mentality of Parents towards children:
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2]
Youth
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·
Which types of reading youth like?
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·
Analysis of Youth’s reading source
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·
What did teachers’ views about reading?
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·
Our views on youth according their replies:
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3]
Old
|
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·
Which types of reading old people prefer?
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·
Analysis of Old’s reading source
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·
Jivabhai Dodiya’s view
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·
Old vs new education according to old
people
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7
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What
a librarian think about reading books?
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8
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What
we found?
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9
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What
are our views about reading habit?
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10
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Conclusion
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11
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Suggestions
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12
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Bibliography
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What
is the purpose of research?
As
a part of English Language Teaching (ELT) curriculum and in order to gain
practical knowledge in the field of literature, we are required to do a
research paper in any field so we are doing on “Reading Habit”.
The
basic objective of doing this research is to gain knowledge regarding the
literature and to interpret its various implications.
The
objective of the research is to find out the concepts which were unknown and to
find out modern challenges regarding learning and teaching literature. This
research helps to enhance knowledge regarding Literature. Through this research
one can know about importance of group work and role of devotion towards the
work.
Acknowledgement
It
is great pleasure for us to get golden opportunity to have research work in our
study in Department of English.
In
completing this research several people are involved directly and indirectly.
They guide and help the researchers in preparing research and in receiving
practical knowledge.
We
are thankful to the head of The Department, Department of English Prof. Dr.
DilipBarad who suggested the function of reading habit. We hearty express our
gratitude to those people who have given us permission to take their
interviews, photos, videos, and providing such nice information or we can say
without it we could not complete it.
The act
of a person who reads any matter that can be read. It can be anything
which is written or printed like novels, short stories, poems, articles,
magazines, newspapers etc. its depends on reader’s mood to read. In this it is
not necessary to concentrate on grammatical structures or meanings because it
depends on individual’s ways of understanding. It enhances understanding of
particular culture, religion, and it does not just provide knowledge, but
it inspires the intellectuality to evoke and ultimately it leads to the growth.
In ‘Vanche Gujarat’ mission, Chief Minister said that at the time
when our lives have become robotic, books are the way out from this unfortunate
situation. Our social structure has been immerged from the ‘granths’ like Ramayan
and Mahabharat.
“The things I want to know are in books, my
best friend is the man who’ll get me a book I ain, read.” (Abraham
Lincoln)
The
present scenario of readers has been changed drastically recently compare to
what it read to be in past. Now it has becomes much more innovative through the
use of latest technology and improved ideas of writers. It is one of the
favorite areas of improving self-amongst many areas.
Novels,
textbooks, manuals, magazines, newspapers, and mail are just a few of the
things that people read every day. Effective and proficient readers learn to
use many ways of reading for different purposes. Skimming, scanning, and
critical reading are different styles of reading and information processing.
(78)
First
we have prepared the question bank for reader and then we have visited 100
houses to get the idea about reading habit. We have covered at list all the
houses like lower class, middle class and upper class. It not just focuses on
reading but try to get the views about changing educational system in modern
era. One by one we have asked several questions and emphasized on educated
family and retired people. There is several lines are written which is
spoken by reader. If reader is preferring old things then we goes deep in them
and if they are opposite like preferring modern then we asked more about that.
According to their views we have tried to gives our views about reading habit
but it is more personal. According to their wish we have taken their and books
photographs and some video clips as a prof. We have asked source of the reading
habit like name of the books, name of the writers and articles so we can get
the specific idea that how readers are involving their self and looking towards
reading source. Majority questions are related to “why” and “what”.
The
readers should be aware of which technique is most suited but for their
proposes they are reading so there is no definite technique is used.
· Skimming
· Scanning
· Intensive
· Extensive
Skimming
and scanning are two very different strategies for speed reading. They are each used for different purposes,
and they are not meant to be used all the time. They are at the fast end of
the speed reading range, while studying is at the slow
end.
People
who know how to skim and scan are flexible readers. They read according to
their purpose and get the information they need quickly without wasting time.
They do not read everything which is what increases their reading speed. Their
skill lies in knowing what specific information to read and which method to
use.
Skimming refers to
looking only for the general or
main ideas, and works best with non-fiction (or factual) material. With
skimming, your overall understanding is reduced because you don’t read
everything. You read only what is important to your purpose. Skimming takes
place while reading and allows you to look for details in addition to the main
ideas. Skimming may help in order to know what the text is about at its
most basic level. You might typically do this with a magazine or newspaper and
would help you mentally and quickly shortlist those articles which you might consider
for a deeper read. You might typically skim to search for a name in a telephone
directory.
You
can reach a speed count of even 700 words per minute if you train yourself well
in this particular method. Comprehension is of course very low and
understanding of overall content very superficial.
While
reading, ask yourself the following questions to help you decide whether or not
to skim. If you answer yes to any of these, then skimming is a useful tool.
?
Is this material non-fiction?
?
Do I have a lot to read and only a small amount of time?
?
Do I already know something about this?
?
Can any of the material be skipped?
Scanning
is another useful tool for speeding up your reading. Unlike skimming,
when scanning, you look only for
a specific fact or piece of information without reading everything. You scan
when you look for your favorite show listed in the cable guide, for your
friend’s phone number in a telephone book, and for the sports scores in the
newspaper. For scanning to be successful, you need to understand how your
material is structured as well as comprehend what you read so you can locate
the specific information you need. Scanning also allows you to find details and
other information in a hurry.
Keep
the concept of key words in mind while scanning. Your purpose will determine
the key words. How to scan. Because you already scan many different
types of material in your daily life, learning more details about scanning will
be easy. Establishing your purpose, locating the appropriate material, and
knowing how the information is structured before you start scanning is
essential.
You need to have your aims clear in mind when
undertaking intensive reading. Remember this is going to be far more time
consuming than scanning or skimming. If you need to list the chronology of
events in a long passage, you will need to read it intensively. This type of
reading has indeed beneficial to language learners as it helps them understand
vocabulary by deducing the meaning of words in context. It moreover, helps with
retention of information for long periods of time and knowledge resulting from
intensive reading persists in your long term memory.
This
is one reason why reading huge amounts of information just before an exam does
not work very well. When students do this, they undertake neither type of
reading process effectively, especially neglecting intensive reading. They may
remember the answers in an exam but will likely forget everything soon
afterwards.
Extensive
reading involves reading for pleasure. Because there is an element of enjoyment
in extensive reading it is unlikely that students will undertake extensive
reading of a text they do not like. It also requires a fluid decoding and
assimilation of the text and content in front of you. If the text is difficult
and you stop every few minutes to figure out what is being said or to look up
new words in the dictionary, you are breaking your concentration and diverting
your thoughts.
There
are three ways
Chart
of the sources
SR.NO.
|
Religion
|
Novels
|
News
Paper
|
Others
|
Writer
|
1
|
Bhagvad
Gita
|
Five
point someone
|
SaurashtraSamachar
|
Recipe
book
|
ChetanBhagat
|
2
|
Ramayana
|
Two
States
|
GujratSamachar
|
Magazine
|
HarkisanMehata
|
3
|
Mahabharata
|
Half
Girlfriend
|
Sandesh
|
General
knowledge
|
JayprakashChouksi
|
4
|
Vedas
|
Madhyabindu
|
Divyadhaskar
|
Dictionary
|
Kanti
Bhatt
|
5
|
PalivalJyot
|
Morpinch
|
Shatdal
|
Grammar
|
KajalOzaVaidya
|
6
|
Vishnu
Sahastra
|
Kanyadan
|
Kalash
|
Self-
help books(Swamivivekanand)
|
Jay
Vasavda
|
7
|
YugshaktiGayatri
|
SaurashtraniRasdhar
|
Ravi
Purti
|
Syllabus
Books
|
|
8
|
Vrat
Katha
|
|
Madhurima
|
KalapinoKekarav
|
|
9
|
Hanuman
Chalisa
|
|
Sahiyar
|
Balprakash
|
|
10
|
|
|
Jagmag
|
Aesop
fable
|
|
11
|
|
|
Balbhaskar
|
Udan
|
|
12
|
|
|
Chitralok
|
Safari
|
|
13
|
|
|
Dharmalok
|
SorthiBarvatiya
|
|
14
|
|
|
Sahiyar
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
Times
of India
|
|
|
Readers’
have positive opinion about reading. They say reading is a receptive skill like
listening. This means it involves responding to text. People read for
several reasons like entertainment, time pass, knowledge, information, to learn
and make self-better, to satisfying self, to enjoy, and being free etc.
The
analysis is presented below:
SR.
No.
|
Children
|
Young
|
Old
|
1
|
Fable
story
|
Novels
|
Religion
books
|
2
|
Newspaper
|
|
Male
|
Female
|
Children
|
24
|
30
|
Young
|
28
|
31
|
Old
|
45
|
34
|
Children
are reading small fable story from Panchtantra, Balbhaskar, Jagmag and
Magazine. They won’t have enough time to read other (except their course).
Children were conscious about reading Literature and we observe that today’s
generation is smarter so they know the use of Technology and also they read
whatever they want by searching on internet.
The
research is not only related with reading habit but it also related the
psychology of children that how they were thinking about reading literature. We
went one teacher’s house where we observed that the child was very conscious
about reading various books because his parents were suggested him to read such
books. It means lack of motivation children don’t realize to read. A child
wants to use cell phone but their parent’s mentality prevents him that it is
worth to use or it wasting money and time.
Due
to the suppression by parents and teachers they need to read, means very few
times they willingly read. They are so enthusiastic to provide us
answers. Children are conditioned by the advice of elder as do and don’t.
In
this group we included the higher level students and teachers. They are not
only reading their syllabus texts but also other Literatures too.
The
students are reading for special purpose like they want to get more marks and
compare their self with others means they want to show sincerity to their
parents, relatives and their teachers.
They
give more important to their course rather than other things. Apart from
their course some are reading newspapers, novels, magazine, general knowledge
books, blogs, and some sites which provide them exam and course related
information. Mostly they gets reading source from their school library.
Kavitaben, house wife said she is reading self-help
books and dictionary to develop self.
Tanviben, doctor is free minded and reading
ChetanBhagat’s books, blogs, traveling books. She is a house maker and has a
baby boy though she is sparing time for reading.
The
teachers are also reading for their students and self-improvement. We have
observed that many people have told that by reading we get not only the
knowledge but also a way of living life.
One
teacher Dipakbhai said
I weekly brought one book to read and he explain his teaching technique as he
taking test through PPT (PowerPoint Presentation). He displayed one question
and gave certain minutes to find out answer then next slide and it continue
until the end.
ArtiParmar said she is publishing book per three month
named “Udan”, in which they show students’ creativity. She believes it can
easily preserve rather than newspaper.
Ashok Dhameliya, English teacher always asking question to
his student through which he is teaching and he also said that he is learning from
student. He has so many books like; “The
Tempest”, “Hamlet”, “Middlemarch”, or one can say MA level materiel
but all are in sake and shift it on shelf. He said now I don’t have time to
read. He suggests one tall free no. 180030000881 to lean English free of cost.
The
research has given us several ways to know the mind of young that how they were
habituated by reading. They mostly preferred to read ChetanBhagat’s books
like “five point someone”, “Two
states”, “Three mistakes of my life”, “and “Half Girlfriend”, etc. People
motley doesn’t read after their government jobs. We want find passions to read
in younger generation as compare to old but still they are considering smart.
They are enough mature to understand the literature.
They
have lots of beliefs about reading that it works as a teacher, self-learning
and can improve many things but they are not reading much.
Doctors
are also reading newspapers, novels and magazine but we won’t get
any engineer and businessman who are reading.
During
our research we have visited many areas and in every area we found a group of
women who were talking into group and after asking questions about reading
various books they only responded that, “We have no time from our children and house hold work so we can’t
spend our time for reading book”.
We
also met one Tamil family who were living in Bhavnagar since many years we
asked many questions and at the end we have observe that the girl who studies
into college she told that my mother used to read magazines or books which were
related with beauty tips. So here we can apply black skin white mask theory that how people’s
mentality changes according to their needs. So beauty tips books cannot change
the real natural look of people though they were reading those books.
This
is a large group of people who has interest to read. Most of old people
either male or female they generally used to read religion books mostly
Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvad Gita, and particular religion books.
One
Old grand pa was met who told that today’s books were worth reading
because old books were gives essence of understanding about culture and
behavior whereas modern books only gives sensuous delight except cultural
tendencies.
We
have found an old women her name was Jasuben Kapdia, told us
that “I am uneducated
women though I know many stories which were I know by hearing from somebody” So we can say that reading
habit not only developed by reading books but it can developed by
hearing something from people.
We
also observe that many people told “We want to read but because of illiteracy we can’t read books or
anything”.
They
prefer old education than new or modern. Syllabus is a kind of burden for
children because it beyond the capacity of children. In past siblings can pass
with same books but now within a year there is possibility of changing
syllabus.
We
also found groups of old people who were retied from their job, they started to
blame the new generation and education that past education is better than the
present as ‘Bharvagrnubahntar’. They have read many books but
very old books and still they are reading old books. They have not read any new
books and so their mind are still wondering into the old ideas and moralities
so we can say that “Books can
changes the mind of the people”.
People
weren’t interested to teach but for the sake of money they are doing the
job. ‘a lazy teacher spoils
one generation’.
Generally
people would like to read various Books but it is not easy to buy many books ,
because it will requires money which will not affordable for all people, so
Library is the main source for increase our reading habit by getting various
books. Only library is a place which provides scope to all readers who really
wants to read various books. But it was a big question that which types of
books people were borrowing from library? She replies that according to readers
need like children like to read short and fable stories. Young prefer
interesting love story.
In
the old age library there are so many books but all were religion and mostly
people were busy in reading like newspaper or religion book. One grand mother
said I am illiterate but I like to look in the books in which some picture are
available because through the picture I can guess what is written in the books.
Mostly
we found that the libraries were empty and holder gave reason that there is
specific time for borrower because of small area.
We
come to know about many things which people wants to read like something new as
well as old things. Because old or new both types of books were provides new
knowledge of living life. “Every
books has life”, it
is also said one proverb that “don’t
give your daughter to those houses where you can’t find the books”
Here
we tried to put the important points which we found during survey analysis:
Ø Most of the readers are satisfied by their
reading.
Ø It is found that many of the readers are not
aware about some popular writer and their books.
Ø People want to read online but won’t have raw
material and want know how to get source.
Ø In some houses there are so many books like
Hamlet, The Tempest, Dr. Faustus and many more but these all kept it in sake.
Ø Some willingly wants to read but they are
illiterate and don’t have books so they asked us to provide the books to them.
Ø Businessman and house maker wants to read but
they won’t have time.
Ø Some have time and everything but they are
sparing it for gossip and chatting.
Ø Some like to read some specific writer.
Ø Children want to use technology for reading
but parents won’t allow because they think children are wasting time and money.
Ø Reader said there was not such things like bank,
computer but educator produce it so the ordinary people are using it.
“People who were well educated they has not time to
read and those who were uneducated they wants to read but they can’t”
Reading
captures the image of human beings so we can see our own self in character and
in situations. Reading and observing creates the vast image in peoples mind. Majority
it has dual and multiple side. It depends upon the changeless perspective of
human beings.
I
have read many things in Guajarati and English like novels articles, short –
stories, essays and blogs. The aim is to read and enhance my knowledge and language
power. But after completing book or article I found several critical points
which make me think more.
Some
are interesting books and as a purpose of learning language I have read but one
more output I get is imagination power. How a common man can resist and come
out from suppression. If we are wrong but when we change the perspective then
sometimes we are better and equal with others.
To
read and something is doesn’t make any sense but to act is important than
anything else. Weather it is true or wrong. The journey of life is unstoppable
so with the continuity we should fix our self in any situation.
“And miles to go before
And miles to go before”.
“‘But man is not made for defeat,’ He said.’
‘A man can be destroyed but not defeated.’” (Hemingway)
It
is reality that from ancient time to today people wants to be superior to
others. Which were we will found into our ancient literature like our epic
‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ and those things were teaches us how to live life
with great hope. So such things we were find through reading various books so
reading habit is very important for each and every people into their life. As
we all know that it is difficult to define what is literature? Because
literature includes every areas of human existence whether it is a lot amount
of books or technologies like T.V., Internet, etc. So the research into the
reading habit is related to those people who like to read various literatures
and also those who do not like to read. So we can say that reading habit takes
on new forms and functions to carry the weight of new cultural experiences.
1.
Understanding how people learn by reading various literatures
2.
Multiple influences by reading various things
3.
Past experiences
4.
The school and personal contexts
Interest
Motivation
Thinking
Different Cultural effects
Concept
Power and money
Time
Involved in own work
Literacy
Lack of understanding content
“Not all readers are leaders,
But all leaders are readers” (Harry S, Truman)
It means that reading habit enhance our imagination
and thinking power with which we can get the power of judgment. It also
cultivates social and ethical value to cultivate social sense, with which we
will become eligible to raise questions against the authorities by knowledge of
power. So reading habit is undeniable part of our life and also it related with
our social norms activities of life which spreads knowledge not only for the
sake of self but also for the society.
There
are four skills: (LSRW) listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Listening
and speaking are the first step to learn language but reading and writing
skills enhanced learning the language. So, reading is also one of the most
important parts of learning language. Reading also helps to enhanced speaking
skill.
Reading
habit transcends the boundaries of knowledge. It reaches us one step further
than what have we before. It is a way to enjoy informative, creative, and
inspiring works of literature that enrich our life experiences. No doubt that
it takes time to read but it is always beneficial to enhance our knowledge
about surrounding things which are takes place in our life. Due to this reason
that it is requires time, people be tedious. There are various types of reading
that people would like to read such as: Newspapers, articles, magazines,
literature, and what not. But the literature is one step above than the other
things.
"Literature
is the next level of image. Literature may be the reflection of the society.
Literature is feeling it is not deeds to the mirror."
This
definition of literature I got after reading various books. So, literature is
one of the best sources of reading through that we can fly in the sky because
it couldn't provide the external malaises but also the inner one.
For
example- Poets like R. W. Emerson and H. D. Thoreau talks about the inner life
of people, while -
"The
White Tiger" by ArvindAdiga - talks about the external affairs of society
in which individual’s life. Their lives are destroyed by the impact of society.
As Rousseau's comment that "Man was essentially good and was corrupted by
the influence of society".
Thus,
i got the idea of external and internal affairs of people and moreover life
itself after reading the literature.
In
short reading the things especially literature connects the dots which are
speeded either and thither. Moreover it is gives the title also because I read
various poets, writers, and what not who are coming with various cultures, new
ideas with different titles and so on. So, obviously it speared our knowledge.
Thus,
reading it not for the sake of reading but it is for the sake of life. So, what
I think that due to reading life becomes better. The habit of reading is at
every perspective good for human beings because it is increase one's level of
thinking and imagining. In short it spread the roots and definitely one day it
is became "A BIG TREE" which gave its fruits to everyone.
Generally,
reading means understanding the meaning of printed words or symbols. However,
in different points of time, we read for different purposes.
We
read to communicate thoughts and ideas. The same word in a sentence can have
different meanings.
For
example, when we visit a book fair, we do not go through a book in detail. We
simply read a summary of the book printed on the back cover to know the subject
matter.
On
other hand, when we read a text book, we probably go through all the details
and try to understand the topics and concepts thorough
Two
important factors involved in reading are as follows:
·
Time
taken to read
·
Subject
matter understood
Therefore,
we can say that there are different techniques of readings.
It
can be said that Literature has vast image and which was prevalent into every
corner of the world. Still the traditional method of reading is preferred by
the people, as it is a new concept, it will take people to change their mode of
reading. The benefits of reading should be conveyed to those who are no aware
of it. It is not necessary that People should be educated enough to enhance
their abilities. During our research we explore our knowledge of collaborative
work; we also got the chance how to implement theory in practice. It improves
our practical knowledge and also got chance to meet different people it has
also increased our confidence. It is memorable experience to be a part of this
group work.
Ø Readers should not just read out but
also apply that thing into their practical
life because writer also has some intention behind his/her work.
Ø They must read online so that they can ever
get connect with the ideas of people
Ø They should use Social media like Facebook,
Twitter, What app for increasing their reading habit for personal development
Ø Older or newer should not interfere each
other means all are perfect in
their age.
Ø People said we won’t have time but I think
they should also give priority to read so they can easily manage everything.
Ø They suggest us to study but they must say
that you should be dutiful towards your job and your work. (Hemingway)
Hemingway, Earnest. The old man and
The sea. United States: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952.
Thakore, Shreya. Communication skills.
Ahmedabad: Books India Publications, 2015.
For
more sources you can visit:
