Reading is a physical and mental activity. By reading, the information and knowledge useful for life can be
obtained. That is the main motivation to encourage the growth of interest in
reading. If the interest in reading has grown and evolved, then the habit of
reading will develop too (Iskandar, 2008: 17). It should be applied to all
learners, especially in language learning to develop their ability in other
language competence. For example the university students of English department
that should develop their academic knowledge and language skills, both written
and spoken; one of the efforts by reading articles or academic books in
English.
Reading is a language process. People interact with one another
through speech and writing, through listening and reading. Listening is the
other half of talking, and reading is the other half of writing (Detchant,
1982: 39). According to
Dalmann, the interrelationship between reading and the other language arts is
so close and significant that learning
to read is greatly affected by other facets of the language arts (1960: 14).
One of them is writing. Writing is a great way to develop language skills.
Writing ability is a lot related with the mind. Actually, writing activities
train every writer to use vocabularies, diction, and the content of his/her writing.
The ability to write is one of ability to be owned by students. To be a good
writer, they have to make the reader get information/message from their
writing. To reach out of that goal, it is needed a skill and accuracy, such as
mastering vocabularies, knowledge, and grammar. They can be obtained by
reading.
Reading and writing are the part of language
aspects that have to be mastered by
language learner, especially students of English Department. They are demanded
to make many assignments and academic
papers in English. Of course, they use formal language writing and structural sentences. By
reading, the student can increase their
knowledge and improve the selection of vocabulary skills in order to formulate
a sentence in accordance with academic language. Therefore, they can write
academic writing well.
