Reading Sources
Lecture 3
ENGL A101F University English Writing
Skills
In this lecture, you will learn
how to:
1. Read efficiently and critically
2. Recognise definitions and examples
3. Recognise enumerations and their headings
4. Recognise headings and subheadings
5. Recognise emphasis and other signal words
6. Recognise main ideas in paragraphs and
short selections
7. Think critically
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Reading Skills
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WHY SHOULD I IMPROVE MY
READING SKILLS?
■ In college, you have a lot of stuff to read and
not that much time
■ Reading too slowly could work against you
■ Reading too slowly could decrease interest in
the text
■ Therefore, you need to be efficient with the
things that you read
WHICH FACTORS COULD REDUCE
READING RATE AND
COMPREHENSION?
■ Limited perceptual span or excessive fixation:
Word-by-word reading → Why is it bad?
■ Regression: Needless or unconscious
rereading, habitual and signals lack of
concentration
■ Vocalisation: Moving your lips while reading
■ Subvocalisation: Talking to yourself in your
head as you read silently
■ Physical habits: Tapping foot, pencil
■ Distractors: Watching TV, eating, interruptions,
etc.
■ Lack of reading practice
WHICH FACTORS COULD
INCREASE READING RATE AND
COMPREHENSION?
■ Set yourself up to succeed – read in a quiet
distraction free environment
■ Do not read on your bed
■ Read actively: Set your purpose for reading
and self-monitor (!)
■ Increase your eye-span - Chunking
TYPES OF READING
■ Scanning – Telephone book, dictionary
■ Skimming – Surveying, previewing, checking
relevance of text
■ Light Reading – Reading for leisure, novels,
100-200 wpm
■ Word by word – Scientific information,
unfamiliar terms
■ Study Reading – SQ4R (Survey, Question,
Read, Recite, Rite, Review) Goal: In depth
comprehension
The purpose of today’s lesson
is to help you skim for the
information you need via…
■ Recognising definitions and examples
■ Recognising enumerations and their headings
■ Recognising headings and subheadings
Why are these elements important in your
opinion?
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Definition and Example
■ This pattern is found primarily in textbooks.
■ A word or concept is introduced, then
explained or described.
■ An example of its usage then follows.
■ The pattern is very close to illustration or
description.
■ e.g.: “Ragtime music is a style that was
developed at the turn of the twentieth century.
Played primarily by piano, the “Rocking Horse
Rag” is an excellent short sample of ragtime.”
■ Can you locate the definition and
example?
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Definition and example signal
words
■ define as, is, known, the term means, is stated as,
is used to mean…
■ for example, to illustrate, for instance, such as,
specifically…
■ i.e., e.g.
Why is this important?
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Example
■ Acrophobia is an intense, unreasonable fear
of high places. People with acrophobia exhibit
emotional and physical symptoms in response
to being at great heights. For instance, one
sufferer of extreme acrophobia, Andrea
Copeland, is unable to go above the third floor
of any building without feeling enormous
anxiety. Her acrophobia began one evening
when she was working alone in her office on
the eighth floor of a large building. Suddenly
she was struck with terror. She gathered her
things and left the building, Yet, she still has
no rational explanation for her fear, which is
also typical of this type of phobia. 11
A definition and example has
three components:
■ key term (often boldfaced, underlined or in
italics)
■ definition
■ example
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ENUMERATIONS AND HEADINGS
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Like definitions,
enumerations are keys to
important ideas.
•Enumerations are lists of items that may
actually be numbered in the text.
•More often, however, a list of items is signaled
by words such as: first of all, second, moreover,
next, also, finally
Typical phrases that
introduce enumerations
are:
• There are three reasons why…
• The two causes of…
• Five characteristics of…
• There are several ways to…
Why are these phrases important?
Develop the habit of
looking for and numbering
all the enumerations in a
chapter as you read.
For example, write a small 1 next to First,
a 2 next to second, etc.
If an author says, “There are five
characteristics of…” be sure to number each
one, making sure not to miss any.
When you take notes on
enumerations, be sure to
include a heading that
explains what each list is
about.
Descriptive headings make your notes more
clear and helpful.
For example:
Examples of tropical fruits
1. Bananas
2. Mangoes
3. Papayas
Headings and subheadings
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Example:
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Signal words help the reader
follow the direction of a
writer’s thought.
They are like signposts on the road that guide the
traveler.
Common signal words show:
• emphasis
• addition
• comparison or contrast
• illustration
• cause and effect
Emphasis words tell you directly
that a particular
idea or detail is especially
important.
Some typical words used for emphasis:
important to note , especially valuable, the chief
factor, most of all, most noteworthy, a vital force,
a significant factor, remember that, above all,
a primary concern, a major event, a central issue,
the chief outcome, a distinctive quality, the most
substantial issue, a key feature, should be noted, pay
particular attention to, the main value, etc.
Addition words
The author is going to add on more points or details of
the same kind, while focusing your attention at the
same time.
Some typical addition words:
also, first of all, last of all, for one thing, likewise,
second, finally, first, in addition, next, furthermore,
moreover, the third reason, etc.
Comparison or contrast words
Comparison words signal that the author is pointing
out a similarity between two subjects. They tell you
that the second idea is like the first one in some way.
Typical comparison words:
like, just as, in the same way, similarly, likewise,
alike, equally, just like, in a similar fashion, etc.
Contrast words
They signal a change in the direction of the
writer’s thought. They tell you that the author is
pointing out a difference between two subjects or
statements.
Typical contrast words:
but, yet, on the other hand, however, differently,
still, conversely, in contrast, on the contrary,
otherwise
Illustration words
They tell you that an example or illustrations will be
given to make an idea clearer. Such words are
typically used in textbooks that present a number
of definitions and examples of those definitions.
Typical illustration words:
for example, specifically, for instance, to illustrate,
once, such as
Cause and effect words
They signal that the author is going to describe
results or effects.
Typical cause and effect words:
because, reason, since, therefore, effect, as a
result, so that, thus, if… then, consequently,
result in, etc.
Keep in mind that by simply using these
constructions, your essay will not automatically
improve!
Thinking critically:
(1)The point is the main idea that a writer is making, and
(2)The support is the evidence that is given to back up this idea.
•A critical thinker is one who can look at an argument – a point
and its support – and decide whether the support is solid or not.
Decide whether the support below is solid or not:
Point: Our meal in that new restaurant was unpleasant.
Support:
1. *We had to wait 15 mins for the food to arrive.
2. *The chicken we ordered was too juicy, and the vegetables
were fresh.
3. *The dozen dessert choices did not include my favourite
chocolate cake.
Understanding graphs and tables
Step 1: Read the title and any subtitles.
Step 2: Read any information at the topic, at the
bottom, and along the sides.
Step 3: Ask yourself the purpose of the graph or
table – the title can be turned into a question
beginning with What, How much or many, or
How. The purpose of the graph or table is to
answer that question.
Step 4: Read the graph or table – as you read, keep
in mind the purpose of the material.
Critical thinking
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What is this cartoon saying about
President Obama?
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