Reading SectionReading Section

Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.

Henry David Thoreau

OutlineOutline

� Reading Introduction

� Transition words

� Reading method

� Scanning, Skimming Scanning, Skimming

� Note-Taking Strategies

� Self motivation

� Introduction to Independent Writing

Reading IntroductionReading Introduction

� Identify the topic & related details

� Find the category & organization in the passage

� Find information by scanning and skimming

� Comprehend the vocabulary & Correlate � Comprehend the vocabulary & Correlate various facts

� Make inferences & Sum up the passage

Basic CategoriesBasic Categories

� Exposition◦ Descriptive

◦ Explains, defines, describes a topic, related to any academic field

� Argumentation� Argumentation◦ Author's Opinion

◦ The writers point of view; defends for or against a topic

� Facts & Figures ◦ Narratives based on past events

Common Organization TypeCommon Organization Type

� Cause/effect

� Compare/contrast

� Problem/solution

� Classification/ Types

� Hypothesis� Hypothesis◦ Masters Programs

◦ Thesis

� Narratives ◦ Historical(inventions, discovery)

◦ literary

◦ Scientific

◦ Academic Oriented

Layout of the PassageLayout of the Passage

� Introductory paragraph/lines

◦ gives the writers point of view

� Exposition/body

◦ argument, background, contrast, illustrations argument, background, contrast, illustrations

◦ examples can be skimmed or gleaned

� Concluding paragraph/lines

◦ final statement very important

Transition WordsTransition Words

� Also known as the cohesive devices

� Interrelate the ideas

� Help in simplifying ideas

◦ Put one idea in one paragraphPut one idea in one paragraph

◦ They in fact act as conjunctions

Finding the CluesFinding 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 signsBut if you look you will find your signs

Trigger WordsTrigger Words

� but� however� despite� nonetheless� in contrasthence

� although� yet� nevertheless� except � even thoughtherefore� hence

� so � thus� follows� conclude� as a result

� therefore� accordingly� consequently� that shows that� that implies� means that

QuantifiersQuantifiers

� all

� some

� only

� never

� none

� always

� must

� likely� never

� probably

� except

� most

� few

� likely

� many

� everywhere

� alone

� little

Premise IndicatorsPremise Indicators

� because

� since

� if

� as

� for

� is evident that

� in that

� owing to� as

� suppose

� assume

� owing to

� in as much as

� may be derived from

Analogy IndicatorsAnalogy Indicators

� Like

� similar

� too

� as

� Likewise

� Also

� compared to

� with just as… so too� as � with just as… so too

Other MarkersOther 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 wayway

ExampleExample

� 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 ReadWhat 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 ReadHow 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 ReaderActive Reader

� Focus on the big picture: the writer’s central idea

� Follow the structure & organization of the passage

Helps in solving 1Q / 1min� Helps in solving 1Q / 1min

You can’t effort to be laid back You can’t effort to be laid back while Readingwhile Reading

AnticipateAnticipate

Trap or ClueTrap 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 ScanningSkimming 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 1Note 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 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 2Note Taking 2

� Use - tables, tree diagram, flow chart etc as applicable

� Keep similar points together

� Use symbols, abbreviations, simplify complex sentencessentences

� Be organized & brief

Self MotivateSelf 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 Introduction to Independent WritingWriting

To be done as an Assignment

Independent WritingIndependent 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 careTake care

� Respond directly to the question

� Take a clear position

� Have a well organized essay

� Have proper examplesHave proper examples

� Have sentence variety

� Write correct sentence structure

BrainstormingBrainstorming

� 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, � 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 GilfillanLet 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.