WORKPLACE ESSENTIAL SKILLS (AN OVERVIEW)

Reading Text

Reading text refers to reading material that is in the form of sentences or paragraphs. Text can be read on paper or on a screen. In the workplace, you:

• scan (read to locate specific information - may involve glancing over the text and using standard features such as an index, table of contents and glossary)
• skim (read rapidly to get the gist or general idea – may involve glancing through the text for its main features including headings, subheadings, highlighted words, tables, diagrams, etc.)
• read the whole text to understand and to learn (carefully read the text in its entirety to learn the details of the subject matter in order to respond to a wide variety of needs)
• read critically to evaluate, edit or critique (read the whole text with a critical eye in order to exercise judgement)

In the workplace, you read text such as:

• forms – reading a form can be considered reading text if there is more than one paragraph of text to read (e.g.) a purchase order with a product description, a detailed work order, an evaluation form that requires examples, a health and safety report where an explanation is required, etc.
• labels – reading a label can be considered reading text if there is more than one paragraph of text to read (e.g.) directions on hair dye, hazardous goods labels, etc.

Document Use

Document use refers to tasks that involve different kinds of information designs or displays. The displays can use words, numbers, letters, symbols, graphics and other visual characteristics (line, colour, shape, etc.). Documents are intended to provide information “at a glance”. In the workplace you use documents such as: