Questions 3: Reading Silently vs Reading Aloud

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

Any type of reading is good, so it’s weird that I ran into a debate.  The argument was if reading aloud or silently was better.  Both sides had good points, but I still didn’t understand why there was any disagreement.  Instead of joining in, I decided to make a post asking for other opinions:

  1. Do you prefer to read silently or aloud?
  2. What would you say is a benefit to reading silently?
  3. What would you say is a benefit to reading aloud?
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About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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18 Responses to Questions 3: Reading Silently vs Reading Aloud

  1. L. Marie's avatar L. Marie says:
    February 4, 2026 at 10:09 am
    1. I do both. I’m also surprised that there is a debate over this.
    2. It really depends on the purpose. I read books silently for comprehension. I also listen to short books. But I find that I don’t remember what was said as much as when I read silently.
    3. I read aloud to assess word flow. Because I’ve occasionally written material that someone else has to record, I read what I’ve written out loud to make sure the reader won’t stumble over a poorly written sentence.

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  2. mphtheatregirl's avatar mphtheatregirl says:
    February 4, 2026 at 11:32 am

    1. Silently
    2. This is the main way I know so it is hard to think of a benefit
    3. Hard to know because its been a while since I did this

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  3. noelleg44's avatar noelleg44 says:
    February 4, 2026 at 12:21 pm

    I usually read silently – my voice would give out otherwise! Plus it gives me some peace to think about what I am reading. However, when I am going through the final edit of a book, I always read it out loud because it helps with the pacing and also the dialogue (clumsy, awkward, verbose).

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  4. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell says:
    February 4, 2026 at 1:00 pm

    My recreational reading is silent. I only read aloud when editing a WIP. Reading aloud catches mistakes that the eye can’t see. since the eye and brain work together to gloss over mistakes. I also use MS word’s reading program to give my voice a rest. Reading to kids aloud is the best way for them to learn. (I guess we all know that)

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  5. penelopetorribio's avatar penelopetorribio says:
    February 4, 2026 at 3:39 pm

    I advocate reading aloud in classrooms and at kitchen tables. It takes the classroom or family on exciting adventures together, allowing children to read high above their reading level.

    Penelope, author of the Charles Stratton Mysteries, teaches THINK LIKE A WRITER, through exciting mystery adventure novels.

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  6. DebyFredericks's avatar DebyFredericks says:
    February 5, 2026 at 9:58 pm
    1. Do you prefer to read silently or aloud? Silently.
    2. What would you say is a benefit to reading silently? I can process the text in my own head and it avoids disturbing people around me. My husband often reads in the same room with me, and if we both were reading aloud it would be unbearable.
    3. What would you say is a benefit to reading aloud? Reading can be a relaxing family activity. The bedtime story is a great thing, if your kid gets into it. Also, when we went on long car trips when our kids were younger and read some longer novels to them.

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  7. coldhandboyack's avatar coldhandboyack says:
    February 6, 2026 at 11:42 am

    I always read silently. For me it is a basic consideration of everyone else in my house. I would enjoy one of those audio reader programs (with headphones) but have never spent the money on one.

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  8. Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
    February 7, 2026 at 3:55 pm

    Both are good, it just depends on the audience.

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