Reading Section Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Henry David Thoreau
Outline
Reading Introduction Transition words Reading method Scanning, Skimming Note-Taking Strategies Self motivation Introduction to Independent Writing
Reading Introduction
Identify the topic & related details
Find the category & organization in the passage
Find information by scanning and skimming
Comprehend the vocabulary & Correlate various facts
Make inferences & Sum up the passage
Basic Categories
Exposition ◦ Descriptive ◦ Explains, defines, describes a topic, related to any academic field
Argumentation ◦ Author's Opinion ◦ The writers point of view; defends for or against a topic
Facts & Figures ◦ Narratives based on past events
Common Organization Type
Cause/effect Compare/contrast Problem/solution Classification/ Types Hypothesis ◦ Masters Programs ◦ Thesis
Narratives ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Historical(inventions, discovery) literary Scientific Academic Oriented
Layout of the Passage Introductory paragraph/lines ◦ gives the writers point of view Exposition/body ◦ argument, background, contrast, illustrations ◦ examples can be skimmed or gleaned Concluding paragraph/lines ◦ final statement very important
Transition Words Also known as the cohesive devices Interrelate the ideas Help in simplifying ideas â—Ś Put one idea in one paragraph â—Ś They in fact act as conjunctions
Finding the Clues
The transition words are the clues They help in locating the answers They also help in reading in a structured manner The same should be used while writing and speaking too An effective communicating device
But if you look you will find your signs
Trigger Words
but however despite nonetheless in contrast hence so thus follows conclude as a result
although yet nevertheless except even though therefore accordingly consequently that shows that that implies means that
Quantifiers
all some only never probably except most few
none always must likely many everywhere alone little
Premise Indicators
because since if as suppose assume
for is evident that in that owing to in as much as may be derived from
Analogy Indicators Like similar too as
Likewise Also compared to with just as‌ so too
Other Markers The headings, sub-heading, names, numbers, punctuations. Active reading helps in stating what the passage is all about as quickly as possible in a systematic way
Example Please look at Hand out “Queen’s University Belfast scientist” Example What do you see How to read it actively & quickly Key Words
◦ Vulnerable-susceptible, weak, in danger, at risk ◦ Antonym- impervious, invincible ◦ Rudimentary-Basic, elementary, simple, undeveloped ◦ Antonym- mature, superior
What to Read The opening & the final lines of a paragraph reveal the subject , the resolution & the conclusion However do not neglect the rest
How to Read
Take more than 3 words at a stretch Read with an understanding, anticipate the writer’s point of view Draw an outline map(notes) Skip repeated idea(s) or word(s) But some words can't be paraphrased, in such cases repetition is a clue
Active Reader Focus on the big picture: the writer’s central idea Follow the structure & organization of the passage Helps in solving 1Q / 1min
You can’t effort to be laid back while Reading
Anticipate
Trap or Clue Every word in the passage has a purpose The purpose may vary from a friendly clue to a tiresome trap , be careful
Skimming and Scanning Skimming - reading quickly with no specific purpose but the general idea Scanning -for a specific information , like a name, date, term and etc
Note Taking 1
Navigates you through your TOEFL iBT A Must to clear the test Note the key words, the nouns and the verbs Other words too are important so must not be ignored. (The context will show the level of importance) Note the gist of every Para Record only major events & points
Note Taking 2 Use - tables, tree diagram, flow chart etc as applicable Keep similar points together Use symbols, abbreviations, simplify complex sentences Be organized & brief
Self Motivate
When the going gets tough the tough gets going
There is no such thing as a difficult word or passage, Only our perception makes reading easy or difficult
Introduction to Independent Writing To be done as an Assignment
Independent Writing
Topics are based on common experience of people in general and students in particular ◦ No need for specialized knowledge ◦ You can agree, disagree or be neutral ◦ Time -30mins ◦ Word limit- about 300
Take care
Respond directly to the question Take a clear position Have a well organized essay Have proper examples Have sentence variety Write correct sentence structure
Brainstorming Once you know how you will answer the question in the prompt you can Brainstorm—think up ideas—that will support your thesis. Use one sheet of paper to list 3 to 5 reasons, examples, or details that support your main idea. Write the essay in about 300 words in 30 mins
George Gilfillan Let us read good works often over. Some skip from volume to volume, touching on all points, resting on none. We hold, on the contrary, that, if a book be worth reading once, it is worth reading twice, and that if it stands a second reading, it may stand a third.