Summarize
to briefly and accurately cover the main points
Paraphrase
restatement of the giving meaning in another form
Identifying the Logical Conclusion
- Helps you determine whether you agree with the
writer or not
- Infer: combine what you already know to the
information given to you by text
- Conclusion should be obvious
Inferences
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
ex: After the final out of the inning, the fans were filled with joy and rushed the field. (The reader can infer that the fans were watching a baseball game and their team won)
Implications
- the conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated
ex: I stepped outside and opened my umbrella. By the time I got to work, the cuffs of my pants were soaked. (The author never states it's raining, but this fact is cle
Topic vs Main Idea
Topic: The subject of a text; what the text is all about
Main Idea: the most important point being made by the author
Supporting Details
- Details or statements that support the main idea
(authors add detail to prove their point)
Topic and Summary Sentences
- The main point of a paragraph, stated at or near
the beginning of that paragraph.
- The author's way of preparing the reader for what
is to come
- Clear and does not contain any jargon
Memo
- A written statement, record, or communication within an office
Posted Announcement
- The act of announcing or making known
- Something written or spoken that tells important news
Classified Advertisement
- text formatted promotion used in print or internet media
- inexpensive (or free)
- used to sell goods, attract business, etc.
ex. Craigslist
Scale Readings of Standard Measurement Instruments
- a ruler
Legend or Key of a Map
- explanatory table of symbols used on a map or chart;
Sequence
The order in which things happen or should happen
Fact vs Opinion
A fact is a statement that can be proven or disproven. An opinion is based on someones point of view.
Biases
Favoring one person or one side over another
Stereotypes
A generalized belief about a group of people
Problem-Solution Text Structure
The author states a problem and the outcome or possible outcomes
Descriptive Text
To create a clear picture of a person, place, thing, or idea by using vivid words
Comparison and Contrast
Examination of two or more objects with reference on how they are alike. Contrast: Is how two objects are different.
Ex. Brian and Sheila love ice cream, but Brian prefers vanilla and Sheila prefers strawberry.
Cause and Effect
The reason something happens and the result of it happening.
Ex. Because the sky was clear, Ron did not bring an umbrella.
Types of passages: NARRATIVE
Must contain the following:
- Fiction or Non-fiction
1) Plot
2) Series of events
3) Characters (people and/or animals)
4) Figurative language (comparison & observations)
Types of passages: EXPOSITORY
- Non-fiction
- Informs and enlightens readers
- Clear as possible
- Maintains steady attention
Types of passages: TECHNICAL
- Relating to a complex object or process
- Used in both Medical & Technological fields
- Clear headings and sub-headings
- In logical order
Types of passages: PERSUASIVE
Used to convince the reader of the writer's point of view
Word Meaning from Context
Defining a word based on the words around it and the way it is used in a sentance.
Word meaning /context: FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
not literal; using figures of speech
ex. The child howled like a coyote when her mother told her to pick up her toys
Word meaning/context: METAPHOR
A comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects being compared (without using like or as)
ex. The bird was an arrow arcing through the sky
(the arrow is a metaphor for the bird)
Word meaning/context: SIMILE
A comparison of two things using "like" or "as"
ex. The sun was like an orange.
Eager as a beaver
Word meaning/context: PERSONIFICATION
Giving human qualities to an animal, object, or idea
ex. A tree groans in the wind.
Meaning of Words: DENOTATIVE
- The dictionary or literal meaning of a word
- Most non-fiction (are fact based)
Meaning of Words: CONNOTATIVE
- More emotional meaning or reaction of a word
- Most Fiction (flowery, figurative language)
Dictionary Entry
Can be used to:
-find a word's meaning
- check spelling
- how to pronounce a word
Purpose
- One's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing.
- The goal the speaker wants to achieve
Purpose: PERSUASIVE WRITING
The author is attempting to change the reader's mind or convince them of something that he or she did not believe previously.
- Opinion presented as a fact
- Tries to evoke emotion
- Unfair explanation of opposing views (if mentioned at all)
Purpose: INFORMATIVE TEXTS
- Non-fiction
- Educates & enlightens
- Very clear
- Does not appeal to emotion
- Contains facts and/or figures
Purpose: ENTERTAINING TEXTS
- Fiction or Non-fiction
- Describes real or imaginative people, places and events
- Narratives or Poems
- Colorful language
- Engages the imagination
- Evokes emotion
- Often uses figurative language
Purpose: EXPRESSION OF FEELINGS
- Uses expressive and bold language
- Writes with emotion
- Can describe great pain or happiness
Identifying an Author's Position
Clearly favors one side of an argument
Text features: HEADINGS & SUBHEADINGS
- Titles that are often bold and in a larger and different font than the body text
- Sets apart different sections to organize topics and ideas
- Makes it easier for the reader to find information
Text features: FOOTNOTES
Notes at the bottom of a page, provide definitions or additional information.
Text features: ENDNOTES
Notes that are listed at the end of the chapter or work.
Text features: BOLD TEXT
Draws attention to important words (darkened text)
Text features: UNDERLINING
- Suggests emphasis
- important to do for titles of books, magazines, works of art, and important words
Text features: ITALICS
A printing type in which the letters slope to the right; used for emphasis and titles
Text features: INDEX
- Usually in a non-fiction book
- Included at the end of a book
- Provides the location of specific information
Text features: TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Beginning of book.
- Shows pages on which info can be found
Knowledge & Ideas: PREDICTIONS
A guess as to what will happen in the future
Knowledge & Ideas: FORESHADOWING
An author's use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story
Knowledge & Ideas: DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
Taking details from a situation or text and piecing them together to make a judgment.
Theme
An issue, idea or a question raised by text
the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.
Theme: EVALUATING AN ARGUMENT
- Contains clarity, credibility, relevance, completeness, soundness
- A calm and reasonable presentation of an author's ideas for others to consider
Theme: TEXT EVIDENCE
- Information that supports a main point or minor points and can help lead the reader to a conclusion
- Precise, descriptive and factual
Text evidence: CREDIBILITY
- Believeable
When the author is knowledgeable and objective or unbiased.
Text evidence: APPEAL TO EMOTION
Authors will appeal to the reader's emotion in an attempt to persuade or to distract the reader from the weakness of the argument.
- Delivering a heart-rending story
- Majority rules approach
- Can result in name calling
- Celebrity endorsement
Text evidence: COUNTER ARGUMENTS
Arguments made in response to original arguments, usually presenting an opposing viewpoint
When authors give both sides of an argument, they build trust with their readers
Data: JOURNAL ARTICLE'S CRITERIA
1) Source: experts in their subject
2) Length
3) Authority: research sources should be written by experts affiliated with academic institutions
4) Date: as current as possible
5) Audience: subject specific language & terminology
6) Usefullness: relevant t
Data: LINE GRAPH
A graph that uses one or more lines to show changes over time
Data: BAR GRAPH
A graph in which the lengths of the bars are used to represent and compare data.
Data: PIE CHART
A circle graph that is used to show the relationship of proportion of parts to a whole
SPATIAL organization
Visual organization according to location, position, or direction
- Beneficial to those who are visually skilled
CHRONOLOGICAL organization
Presents information in time order, from first to last or last to first. A step-by-step pattern
LOGICAL organization
Presenting material in a pattern that makes intuitive sense.
ex. compare/contrast, problem/solution, & division/classification