What is the Difference Between Loud Reading and Silent Reading

The main difference between loud reading and silent reading is that in reading aloud, the reader reads the passage aloud, while in silent reading, the reader does not produce any sound.

Both loud reading and silent reading have benefits of their own. Most importantly, loud reading helps the reader to maintain his or her focus on the text and boosts his or her reading and pronunciation skills. Silent reading, on the other hand, is the most suitable method for reading in crowded places and helps improve fast reading skills. Moreover, in silent reading, an average person is capable of reading 300 words per minute. But in loud reading, the reading speed slows down to 200 words per minute.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Loud Reading
– Definition, Features
2. What is Silent Reading
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Loud Reading and Silent Reading
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Loud Reading, Silent Reading, Reading

What is Loud Reading

Loud reading refers to the process that allows the reader to produce sounds using his or her vocal cords and lip or tongue movement. Loud reading helps to boost the reading skills of a person. It makes the reader more focused on the reading material and helps him to memorize facts. This happens because the process of loud reading involves the functioning of more sensory organs such as the eyes and ears. Loud reading also helps readers to develop their speaking and pronunciation skills.

Mainly children practice Loud reading, and when they grow older, little by little, they begin to read silently for pleasure. When educators make students read aloud, they mainly continue to expand their imagination and help them acquire language and vocabulary.

What is Silent Reading

In contrast to loud reading, silent reading is the process of reading done only internally with the mind, without producing any sound. Therefore, in silent reading, you cannot notice any lip or tongue movement and the functioning of the vocal cords. Silent reading most significantly helps the reader enjoy what he or she reads. This is why silent reading can also be called reading for pleasure.

As adults, we often read silently, be it printed material or reading material on a screen. We develop this habit of silent reading mainly to avoid the disturbance the loud reading can cause, especially if we are using a public space like a bench on a park or bus. Although loud reading has benefits of its own, if you are a person who reads for pleasure, silent reading is the best option for you. This is because when you are reading silently, your mind is more peaceful, and it helps you to imagine more and visualize the text.

Difference Between Loud Reading and Silent Reading

Definition

Loud reading refers to the process that allows the reader to produce sounds using his or her vocal cords and lip or tongue movement. Silent reading is the process of reading where the reader only uses his eyes and mind and does not produce any sound.

Speed of Reading

Compared to silent reading, loud reading is slower as it demands more (vocal) physical effort. For instance, an average person who reads aloud 200 words per minute is capable of reading 300 words per minute if he/she is reading silently.

Reader’s Focus

Loud reading helps the reader to keep his focus fixed on the text, while during silent reading, his mind can get easily distracted.

Focus Group

Loud reading is mainly practiced by children, but they develop the habit of silent reading as they grow up.

Advantages

Loud reading helps the reader to maintain focus on the text, and boosts reading and pronunciation skills. It also helps to memorize facts. Silent reading, on the other hand, is ideal for reading in crowded places and helps tp improve fast reading skills.

Conclusion

The main difference between loud reading and silent reading is that in loud reading the reader produces sound using his tongue, muscles, and vocal cords, whereas in silent reading, no such sound is produced as the reader only uses the mind for the process of reading. Although loud reading cannot be practically applied to many places, silent reading can be done anywhere.