Chapter 1 Strategies for Active Reading Academic Reading

Chapter 1: Strategies for Active Reading Academic Reading, Fifth Edition by Kathleen T. Mc. Whorter © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Learning Objectives: © To understand how reading contributes to college success © To assess your learning style © To build your concentration skills © To develop multilevel thinking skills © To learn to preview and predict before reading © To develop questions to guide your reading © To check your comprehension © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Reading & Academic Success ©Reading is thinking! ©View Table 1 -1 in your book to determine the difference between an active reader and a passive reader. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Take the Learning Style Questionnaire and see if you are: © Auditory © Applied © Spatial © Social © Creative © Visual © Conceptual © Verbal © Independent © Pragmatic © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Now interpret your scores from the discussion in the book. © Auditory © Applied © Spatial © Social © Creative © Visual © Conceptual © Verbal © Independent © Pragmatic © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Building Your Concentration ©Eliminate Distractions ©Learn to Focus Your Attention ©Assess Your Concentration © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Eliminating Distractions ©Choose a place conducive to reading. ©Notice your physical state (tired? hungry? ). ©Have necessary materials available. ©Choose your peak periods of attention (evening? day? ). ©Keep a list of distractions and then avoid them. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Focusing Your Attention © Set goals. ©Reread psychology lecture notes - 15 minutes ©Review chapter 9 in accounting - 30 minutes ©Read short story for English - 30 minutes © Reward yourself (snack, TV, phone call). © Begin by reviewing previously read material. © Write and underline as you read. © Approach assignments critically as an active reader. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Assessing Your Concentration ©Make a list of common distractions and problems that interfere with your concentration. Next to each item, note how you can overcome it. Discuss any items for which you have no remedy. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Developing Levels of Thinking ©Knowledge ©Comprehension ©Application ©Analysis ©Synthesis ©Evaluation © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Previewing and Predicting ©Previewing familiarizes you with the content and organization before you read. ©Helps you think about the subject ©Gives a mental outline of the chapter content ©Predicting questions occurs as you preview. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

How to Preview Textbook Assignments ©Read the chapter title. ©Read the introduction or the first paragraph. ©Read each boldface heading. ©Read the first sentence under each major heading. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

How to Preview Textbook Assignments ©Note any typographical aids. ©Note any graphic aids. ©Read the last paragraph or summary. ©Quickly read any end-of-article or end-ofchapter material. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Previewing Nontextbook Material ©Pay close attention to the title. ©Identify the author and source of material. ©Read the first paragraph carefully. ©Read the first sentence of each paragraph if there are no headings. ©Pay close attention to the last paragraph. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Activating Background Knowledge ©Ask questions, and try to answer them. ©Draw on your own experience. ©Brainstorm - Write down everything that comes to mind about the topic. ©THEN MAKE PREDICTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO KNOW! © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Developing Guide Questions ©Guide questions direct your attention to what is important in each chapter section you are reading. ©The easiest way to make up guide questions is to turn the chapter title and headings into questions that you try to answer. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Checking Your Comprehension ©Recognize comprehension signals. (See Table 1 -5 for positive and negative signals. ) ©Checking Techniques ©Use your guide questions. ©Ask yourself thought-provoking questions. ©Use internal dialogue. Mentally talk to yourself. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Questions © How do you improve your concentration? © What is your learning style and how can you capitalize on it? © What are the six stages of thinking? © Why is previewing important? © How do you preview material? © How do you make guide questions? © What are some comprehension checking techniques? © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Now read the psychology article and complete the exercises following the article. “Factors Affecting Interpersonal Attraction” by Josh R. Gerow © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers