You could write a book about what the true definition of reading is. You could then read about reading. It would hurt your brain. So, I have instead opted to write about what I feel reading is in a short blog post, as per the request of my Instructor.
All glory to the Madam Sloane!
That aside, I really would like to point out that defining Reading is no walk in the park. Well, that is to say, Reading is like a walk in a park, or rather, walking in a park is kind of like reading. Now, you may be wondering what I’m talking about, and I will say that I am in the same boat. But, what I mean, is that Reading is taking in information, processing it, and forming an idea about what that info means. The most popular form of reading, is, well, reading, mostly books, magazines, or anything with words, symbols that represent sounds that help us contextualize the world. If you break that down some, it becomes interpreting symbols that help us take in pertinent information.
One could say, walking in a park, one must take in the symbols of the park, such as signs stating to stay of the grass, or a big pile of dog poo. We take this info in, read it, and come to a conclusion about what to do.
And that’s what it is at the end of the day, for me at least: reading is the taking in of symbols from an outside source, typically symbols that transmit a certain form of information, that we then as readers take in, interpret, and synthesize into our lives.
What you do, every day, is read. In one way or another. To live is to read. To read is to live.
So, whatever you do, don't be illiterate.
