Reading vs. Review — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 24, 2024
Reading involves decoding and understanding text, while review entails critically evaluating or summarizing content.
Difference Between Reading and Review
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Reading is the process of looking at and comprehending the meaning of written or printed matter by mentally interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed. It's a fundamental skill that allows individuals to acquire information, enjoy literature, and engage with diverse forms of written communication. On the other hand, a review involves a critical assessment or examination of something, often with the intention of conveying the reviewer's personal opinion, summarizing the content, or providing an evaluation based on set criteria. Reviews can apply to various media, including literature, movies, products, and more.
While reading can be a purely personal and internalized activity aimed at understanding or pleasure, reviewing typically requires the reviewer to externalize their thoughts and assessments, often with the purpose of informing or influencing others. In this sense, reading is the input phase of acquiring knowledge or entertainment, whereas reviewing serves as an output phase, sharing insights, critiques, or summaries.
Reading encompasses a wide range of materials and genres, from fiction and non-fiction to articles, reports, and more, each requiring different levels of comprehension and engagement. Reviews, however, are more structured and goal-oriented, focusing on providing feedback, analysis, or commentary about the material in question, which requires not only an understanding of the content but also the ability to assess its quality, impact, and relevance.
In the context of literature, reading is an individual's engagement with the text, interpreting and deriving meaning based on personal context, prior knowledge, and cognitive skills. A review of the same literary work would involve a more deliberate and critical analysis, discussing elements like plot, character development, thematic depth, and writing style, often with the aim of guiding potential readers' expectations or interpretations.
Reading and reviewing, while distinct, can complement each other in educational and professional settings. Reading provides the foundation of knowledge and understanding necessary to perform a review. Conversely, the act of reviewing can enhance comprehension and retention of the material read, as it encourages critical thinking and deeper engagement with the text.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The process of understanding written or printed material.
A critical assessment or summary of content, often with personal opinions.
Purpose
To acquire information, enjoy literature, or engage with content.
To evaluate, summarize, or critique content for others' benefit.
Activity
Primarily internal and personal.
Externalizes thoughts and assessments, often for a public or specific audience.
Materials
Can include a wide range of genres and formats.
Focused on providing feedback or analysis on specific content.
Outcome
Personal understanding, enjoyment, or knowledge gain.
Insights, critiques, and guidance for potential readers or consumers.
Compare with Definitions
Reading
Deciphering and understanding written text.
Reading a novel can transport you to another world.
Review
Critically evaluating content.
Her book review highlighted the compelling character development.
Reading
A fundamental skill for learning.
Reading comprehension is crucial for academic success.
Review
Summarizing and providing opinions.
The movie review praised the cinematography but criticized the plot.
Reading
Can be for pleasure or information.
He reads historical fiction for enjoyment.
Review
Aimed at informing or influencing others.
Product reviews help consumers make informed decisions.
Reading
Engaging with various written materials.
She spends her evenings reading scientific journals.
Review
Involves analysis of various elements.
The play review discussed themes, performances, and staging.
Reading
Involves interpreting symbols and characters.
Reading music involves understanding the notation.
Review
Can guide expectations or interpretations.
The restaurant review set high expectations for the dining experience.
Reading
Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of letters, symbols, etc., especially by sight or touch.For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process involving such areas as word recognition, orthography (spelling), alphabetics, phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and motivation.Other types of reading and writing, such as pictograms (e.g., a hazard symbol and an emoji), are not based on speech based writing systems. The common link is the interpretation of symbols to extract the meaning from the visual notations or tactile signals (as in the case of Braille).
Review
A review is an evaluation of a publication, service, or company such as a movie (a movie review), video game (video game review), musical composition (music review of a composition or recording), book (book review); a piece of hardware like a car, home appliance, or computer; or softwares such as business software, sales softwares; or an event or performance, such as a live music concert, play, musical theater show, dance show or art exhibition. In addition to a critical evaluation, the review's author may assign the work a rating to indicate its relative merit.
Reading
The act or activity of one that reads.
Review
To look over, study, or examine again
Reviewed last week's lesson.
Reading
The act or practice of rendering aloud written or printed matter
Skilled at forensic reading.
Review
To consider retrospectively; look back on
Reviewed the day's events.
Reading
An official or public recitation of written material
The reading of a will.
A reading by the poet of her own works.
Review
To examine with an eye to criticism or correction
Reviewed the research findings.
Reading
The specific form of a particular passage in a text
A manuscript with a variant reading.
Review
To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
Reading
The distinctive interpretation of a work of performing art given by the person or persons performing it.
Review
(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.
Reading
An interpretation or appraisal
He gave us his reading of the situation.
Review
To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
Reading
Written or printed material
The survivors' account is fascinating reading.
Review
To go over or restudy material
Reviewing for a final exam.
Reading
The information indicated by a gauge or graduated instrument.
Review
To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.
Reading
Present participle of read
Review
A reexamination or reconsideration.
Reading
The process of interpreting written language.
The student is behind in his reading by several chapters.
Review
A retrospective view or survey.
Reading
The process of interpreting a symbol, a sign or a measuring device.
Review
A restudying of subject matter.
Reading
A value indicated by a measuring device.
He glanced across and took note of the speedometer reading.
Review
An exercise for use in restudying material.
Reading
An event at which written material is read aloud.
I attended a poetry reading.
Review
A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.
Reading
An interpretation.
That's my reading of the current situation.
Review
A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.
Reading
Something to read; reading material.
Review
An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation.
Reading
The extent of what one has read.
He's a man of good reading.
Review
A formal military inspection.
Reading
(legislature) One of several stages a bill passes through before becoming law.
Review
A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or occasion.
Reading
A piece of literature or passage of scripture read aloud to an audience.
After the homily there will be two readings from the Bible.
Review
(Law) An evaluation conducted by a higher court of a decision made or action taken by a lower court to determine whether any error was made.
Reading
The content of a reading list.
Review
A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.
Reading
The act or process of imagining sequences of potential moves and responses without actually placing stones.
Review
A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.
I need to make a review of the book before I can understand it.
Reading
The act of one who reads; perusal; also, printed or written matter to be read.
Review
An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work.
The newspaper review was full of praise for the play.
Reading
Study of books; literary scholarship; as, a man of extensive reading.
Review
(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.
The victims demanded a full judicial review of the case.
Reading
A lecture or prelection; public recital.
The Jews had their weekly readings of the law.
Review
A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.
The Cambridge Footlights Review launched many Monty Python faces.
Reading
The way in which anything reads; force of a word or passage presented by a documentary authority; lection; version.
Review
A survey of the available items or material.
The magazine contained a review of Paris restaurants.
Reading
Manner of reciting, or acting a part, on the stage; way of rendering.
Review
A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.
The Times Literary Review is published in London.
Reading
An observation read from the scale of a graduated instrument; as, the reading of a barometer.
Review
A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.
The troops assembled for a review by the Queen.
Reading
Of or pertaining to the act of reading; used in reading.
Review
A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.
The regulators demanded a review against NYSE practices.
Reading
Addicted to reading; as, a reading community.
Review
To survey; to look broadly over.
Before I tackle the question directly, I must briefly review historical approaches to the problem.
Reading
The cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message;
He enjoys reading books
Review
To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.
The critic reviews every new play in London.
Reading
A datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument;
He could not believe the meter reading
The barometer gave clear indications of an approaching storm
Review
To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.
Reading
A particular interpretation or performance;
On that reading it was an insult
He was famous for his reading of Mozart
Review
To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.
Reading
Written material intended to be read;
The teacher assigned new readings
He bought some reading material at the airport
Review
(obsolete) To view or see again; to look back on.
Reading
A mental representation of the meaning or significance of something
Review
(obsolete) To retrace; to go over again.
Reading
A city on the River Thames in Berkshire in southern England
Review
To view or see again; to look back on.
Reading
A public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance;
The program included songs and recitations of well-loved poems
Review
To go over and examine critically or deliberately.
Reading
The act of measuring with meters or similar instruments;
He has a job meter reading for the gas company
Review
To retrace; to go over again.
Shall I the long, laborious scene review?
Review
To look back; to make a review.
Review
A second or repeated view; a reëxamination; a retrospective survey; a looking over again; as, a review of one's studies; a review of life.
Review
An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.
Review
A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.
Review
A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.
Review
An inspection, as of troops under arms or of a naval force, by a high officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of discipline, equipments, etc.
Review
The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.
Review
A lesson studied or recited for a second time.
Review
A new appraisal or evaluation
Review
An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
Review
A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
Review
(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data
Review
A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
Review
A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
Review
A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
Review
(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
Review
Practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
Review
A formal or official examination;
The platoon stood ready for review
We had to wait for the inspection before we could use the elevator
Review
Look at again; examine again;
Let's review your situation
Review
Appraise critically;
She reviews books for the New York Times
Please critique this performance
Review
Hold a review (of troops)
Review
Refresh one's memory;
I reviewed the material before the test
Review
Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;
She reviewed her achievements with pride
Common Curiosities
What is reading?
Reading is the process of understanding and interpreting written or printed matter, involving cognitive skills to decode symbols into meaningful information.
How do reading and reviewing differ?
Reading is about personal engagement and comprehension of text, while reviewing focuses on critically assessing and sharing evaluations of content.
What does a review involve?
A review involves critically evaluating or summarizing content, often including personal opinions and aimed at providing insights or assessments.
Can reviews influence reading choices?
Yes, reviews can significantly influence reading choices by providing insights, critiques, or recommendations that guide potential readers.
Is reviewing a form of reading?
Reviewing includes reading as a fundamental component but extends beyond it to include analysis, evaluation, and the sharing of critical opinions.
What skills are important for reviewing?
Critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to articulate evaluations and opinions clearly are important for effective reviewing.
Are reviews subjective?
While reviews can contain objective assessments, they often include subjective opinions and personal interpretations, making them partly subjective.
Can reading habits influence reviewing?
Yes, one's reading habits, such as the genres and materials preferred, can influence their approach to reviewing and the insights they provide.
Do all readers interpret text the same way?
No, readers can interpret text differently based on their personal experiences, knowledge, and perspectives, leading to diverse understandings.
Why is reading important?
Reading is crucial for acquiring knowledge, developing comprehension skills, and for personal entertainment, serving as a foundation for continuous learning.
How does reviewing enhance comprehension?
Reviewing can enhance comprehension by encouraging deeper engagement with the material, fostering critical thinking, and aiding in retention.
Can anyone write a review?
Anyone can write a review, but effective reviews typically require a good understanding of the content and the ability to critically assess and communicate insights.
Is it necessary to read a work completely before reviewing it?
It's generally considered essential to read a work completely before reviewing it to ensure a fair, informed, and comprehensive assessment.
What role do reviews play in academic settings?
In academic settings, reviews can play a crucial role in synthesizing research findings, evaluating scholarly works, and guiding future research directions.
How can reviews impact authors or creators?
Reviews can impact authors or creators by influencing public perception, guiding audience expectations, and providing constructive feedback.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
