Academic Texts

(Reading and Writing)

Basic Reading Strategies and Skills
Reading Academic Texts Critically
CRITICAL
THINKING
 What is CRITICAL
THINKING?

is that mode of thinking - about any

subject, content, or problem - in which
the thinker improves the quality of his
or her thinking by skillfully taking
charge of the structures inherent in
thinking and imposing intellectual
standards upon them.
 What improves
Critical Thinking?
 Reading Promotes
CRITICAL THINKING
BASIC READING SKILLS
01 Decoding

02 Vocabulary

03 Fluency

04 Comprehension
BASIC READING STRATEGIES

01 SCANNING
Definition and Procedures

02 SKIMMING
Definition and Procedures
Why do we need to learn about Basic Reading?

Becoming a proficient reader requires mastery of several skills that

need to be applied simultaneously. Obviously, this doesn't happen
overnight. These basic skills should be learned first in isolation,
then as readers becomes more adept at each one, they can progress
and combine until they can read independently with full
comprehension of what they read.
Basic reading skills encompass a range from phonics to
comprehension.
DECODING VOCABULARY BASIC READING FLUENCY COMPREHENSION
SKILLS
DECODING
Decoding or sounding out words
is the first step in reading.
Children can decode when they
understand that each letter of the
alphabet has a corresponding
sound. Children then learn how to
look at words in print, isolate each
separate sound, then blend them
to read the word as a whole. The
goal of phonics instruction is to
enable readers to become
proficient at decoding so they are
able to read words on their own
and with little effort.
VOCABULARY
Good readers increase their
vocabulary every time they read
and are able to recall these words
when they see them again. They
begin by developing a sight word
vocabulary. Sight words are words
that are frequently found often in
common speech and books, such
as "the," "is," "were," "was" and
"said." Generally, these words
cannot be sounded out, so readers
have to memorize them. Knowledge
of these words is essential because
they can be found in any book.
FLUENCY
Fluency is the ability to read
accurately with expression and at a
speed that lends itself to
comprehension. Fluent readers will
be able to read smoothly without
having to take a lot of time to sound
out words. They are also able to use
context clues to figure out unknown
words. Fluency is most evident when a
person reads aloud, but it can also be
seen by the reader's ability to
understand what they read. Fluent
readers are able to pay attention to the
details in a book because they don't
have to spend a lot of time sounding
out words.
COMPREHENSION
Comprehension is a basic reading
skill that develops as children
learn to sound out words and
recognize sight words. The more
they read, the easier it is for them
to remember specific things like
the main characters, setting and
plot. As reading skills progress,
children will develop advanced
comprehension skills like
inferring, evaluating and
retelling.
 BASIC READING STRATEGIES

SCANNING
01 Scanning is a fast reading technique.
It's a way of reading to look for specific
information in a text.

SKIMMING
02 Skimming is a fast reading technique.
Use it to obtain the gist of a piece of
text
 Scanning can be used to read through the
SCANNING ads in a newspaper, or for browsing TV
schedules, timetables, lists, catalogues or
web pages for information. For these tasks
you don't need to read or understand every
word.

Scanning is also useful when studying or

looking to find specific information from a
book or article quickly as there is not always
time to read every word.
 Don't try to read every word. Instead let
SCANNING your eyes move quickly across the page until
you find what you are looking for.
How to Scan?
 Use clues on the page, such as headings
and titles, to help you.
 If you are reading for study, start by
thinking up or writing down some
questions that you want to answer. Doing
this can focus your mind and help you
find the facts or information that you
need more easily.
 Skimming is a reading technique that
can help you to:
SKIMMING read more quickly

decide if the text is interesting and

whether you should read it in more
detail

Skimming is a fast reading technique.

Use it to obtain the gist of a piece of
text (i.e. to quickly identify the main
ideas in the text).
 Read the title, subtitles and
SKIMMING subheadings to find out what the text
How to Skim? is about.
Look at the illustrations to give you
further information about the topic.
Read the first and last sentence of
each paragraph.
Don't read every word or every
sentence.
The term skimming is often confused with scanning. Remember:
Skimming is used, for example, to get the gist of a page of a
textbook to decide whether it is useful and should therefore be
read more slowly and in more detail.
Scanning is used to obtain specific information from a piece of text
and can be used, for example, to find a particular number in a
telephone directory.
 When can you
say that you are
Reading
Critically?
Let us try to see how your Reading Skill is…
CRITICAL
READING:
Critical reading is careful, thorough,
thoughtful, and active reading. It is
not negative or quick reading. It is
"college reading"--the kind of
reading you are expected to do in
college courses. You are involved
in critical reading whenever you are
interested in a text and you make a
variety of comments about it as you
read it.
 Efficient Academic Reading Strategies
These are based on the structure of academic writing

First:
Reading the introduction to
search for the thesis Second:
point or main argument Scanning by topic
in the introduction and to sentences, ie. The
verify the overview sentence which makes
provided by the contents the point of the
page paragraph and which
is usually the first
sentence of the
paragraph
 Thesis Point
Always The role of the introduction is to background to
Take Note the topic and to put forward the writer's thesis
point (or main argument). This thesis point
of the ff.: can often be found towards the end of the
introduction. The thesis point is usually
reiterated in the conclusion as well, so to
gain a good idea of the argument being put
forward and the main evidence being
presented you should read both the
introduction and the conclusion. This will
give you a framework for reading the rest of
the content.
 THESIS POINT:
Example:
(Intro)
In the media we often hear or read about the rising trend of children leading
unhealthy lifestyles. While many believe both schools and parents share equal
responsibility for solving this problem, I disagree and feel that parents are fully
responsible for changing the unhealthy lifestyles of their children.

(Body 1)
As the main caregiver and educator, parents spend the most time with their children
and therefore are the biggest influence on the way their child eats and act4s. The best
way to solve this is to be a role model for their child, by making healthy choices on
what to eat and how much activity or sports they take part in. . . . .
 THESIS POINT:
Example:
(Intro)
The global phenomenon of urbanization from the beginning of industrialization to the
present day has brought opportunity and prosperity, albeit at a cost in the quality of
life. With an increasing city population, the complexity of the challenges also increases,
the causes and solutions for this are outlined below.

(Body 1)
The causes for the decrease in the quality of life are paradoxically the prosperity
endowed on such metropolitan centres. Their growth is largely due to the increase of
opportunities on offer, which in turn increases their attractiveness, essentially they
are trapped in a positive self enforcing cycle.
 Topic Sentence
Always Topic sentences play a role in advancing
Take Note the argument in an organized and logical
way. Remember that topic sentences
of the ff.: indicate the point being made within a
paragraph; all other sentences in the
paragraph expand, explain or provide
evidence for that point. They usually occur
as the first sentence in the paragraph,
although they often also occur as the last
sentence, particularly in science writing,
and they can occasionally occur in some
other position.
 TOPIC SENTENCE:
Example 1: (BEGINNING)

Rainfall has been increasing steadily in Yoknapatawpha County

since 1995. In that year, annual rainfall was 32 inches. By 2008, it was 40
inches, with an increase each year between 1995 and 2008, except for 1999,
when the annual rainfall level fell to 29 inches.

Example 2: (MIDDLE)
Looking at rainfall in Yoknapatawpha County since 1995, a clear
trend is evident. Except for 1999, when the annual rainfall level fell to 29
inches, rainfall has increased steadily since 1995. Between that year and
2008, rainfall rose from 32 to 40 inches annually.
 TOPIC SENTENCE:
Example 3: (END)

Is it getting wetter or drier in Yoknapatawpha County? A quick

look at the record gives a clear answer. Between 1995 and 2008,
rainfall rose from 32 to 40 inches annually (although in 1999 it dipped
to 29 inches). From this information, it’s plain to see that rainfall in
the county has increased steadily since 1995.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:

Annotating

Write on the text.

You can underline,
circle or highlight
words, phrases or
sentences that
contain important
details or you can
write marginal
notes asking
questions or
commenting on
the ideas of the
writer.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:
Peer Pressure
We often hear about the dangers of peer pressure to teenagers. Teenagers take
drugs, skip school, get drunk, or have sex because their friends do these things.
Outlining However, there is another—perhaps equally bad— effect of peer pressure.
Desperate to conform to their friends' values, teens may give up their interests in
Identify the main school, in hobbies, and even in certain people.
points of the
writer and list Teenagers may, first of all, lose or hide their interest in school in order to be like
them down to their friends. They adopt a negative attitude in which school is seen as a
identify the ideas battlefield, with teachers and other officials regarded as the enemy. In addition,
that the writer has teenagers may stop participating in class. It is no longer cool to raise a hand or
raised to support
seem anxious to learn. It is cool to show up without the assigned homework.
his stand. Write in
bullets or Conforming also means not joining many after-school activities. A teenager might
numbers. be curious about the band, the Spanish club, the student council, or the
computer club but does not dare join if the gang feels such activities are for
squares. . .
http://sexton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/pdfs/topicoutline.pdf
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:

Main Point I. Teenagers may lose or hide their

interest in school to be like their friends.
Outlining
A. Adopt negative attitude
Identify the main
points of the Sub Points B. Stop participating in class
writer and list
them down to C. Not join after-school activities
identify the ideas
that the writer has
raised to support
his stand. Write in
bullets or
numbers. Note:
Main Point- main idea of the paragraph
Sub Points- supporting ideas of the paragraph
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:

SUMMARIZING: Who and What

Summarizing
Long ago, animals could talk. A golden lion roamed the
It is defined as taking a African plains. He rested on a big, flat rock. A large bird soared in the
lot of information and sky. "I wish I could fly like that bird," the lion said. "Maybe if I run fast, I
creating a condensed
version that covers the
can leap into the air!" The silly lion tried all day. He wore himself out.
main points. An Then he gave up. "Why did I want to fly?" he asked. "All the fun is here
example of on the ground!"
summarizing is writing a
three or four-sentence
description that touches
upon the main points of Who is this story about? - The story is about the golden lion.
a long book. Answering
the main questions who, What does he want to do? – He wanted to fly.
what, where, when, and
how are helpful to SUMMARY: The story is about the golden lion who wanted to fly.
breaking down the
larger ideas.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:

SUMMARIZING : When and Where

Summarizing
Rex is a police dog. He can smell really well. He works at the
It is defined as taking a airport. He helps the police to make sure there are no bad drugs going
lot of information and on airplanes. On Friday Rex was at the airport. He started to bark. Rex
creating a condensed
version that covers the
had found something. The policeman thought Rex was being silly.
main points. An When the policeman opened the boxes, the bad drugs were hidden
example of there. Rex was right again!
summarizing is writing a
three or four-sentence
description that touches
upon the main points of When did Rex find the drugs? – On Friday
a long book. Answering
the main questions who, Where does Rex work? - at the airport
what, where, when, and
how are helpful to SUMMARY: On Friday while working at the airport, Rex found the bad
breaking down the drugs
larger ideas.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:

SUMMARIZING: Why and How

Summarizing
I am so proud of my aunt. She quit smoking! Today marks the
It is defined as taking a 90th day from when she quit. The family is going out to dinner to
lot of information and celebrate. We will go to her favorite restaurant, La Taliano.My aunt had
creating a condensed
version that covers the
smoked for twenty years. Recently, she was told by her doctor that she
main points. An had better quit. There are many health risks associated with smoking. She
example of told me she wanted to live a long time to see me grow up. I'm in third
summarizing is writing a
three or four-sentence
grade right now.She gave up cigarettes on a Friday night, and so far, has
description that touches never looked back. I know it hasn't been easy. I am making her a special
upon the main points of card to tell her how much I love her.
a long book. Answering
the main questions who, Why did the aunt quit smoking? – She quit after her doctor’s advice.
what, where, when, and
how are helpful to How did the aunt quit? – By giving up cigarettes on a Friday night.
breaking down the
larger ideas. SUMMARY: The aunt quit after her doctor’s advice by giving up cigarettes
on a Friday night.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:

Example 1:
Paraphrasing
Original sentence: Her life spanned years of incredible change for
women.
It is using your own
words to express Paraphrased sentence: Mary lived through an era of liberating
someone else's reform for women.
message or ideas. It is
important to keep the
original meaning and to
present it in a new form. Example 2:
Basically, you are
simply writing Original sentence: Giraffes like Acacia leaves and hay, and they can
something in your own
words that expresses consume 75 pounds of food a day.
the original idea.
Paraphrased sentence: A giraffe can eat up to 75 pounds of Acacia
leaves and hay every day.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?

Paraphrasing Original Passage:

In The Sopranos, the mob is besieged as much by

It is using your own
words to express inner infidelity as it is by the federal government. Early in the
someone else's series, the greatest threat to Tony's Family is his own
message or ideas. It is
important to keep the biological family. One of his closest associates turns witness
original meaning and to for the FBI, his mother colludes with his uncle to contract a hit
present it in a new form.
Basically, you are on Tony, and his kids click through Web sites that track the
simply writing federal crackdown in Tony's gangland.
something in your own
words that expresses
the original idea.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?

Paraphrasing
Paraphrased Passage:

It is using your own In the first season of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano’s
words to express
someone else's mobster activities are more threatened by members of his
message or ideas. It is biological family than by agents of the federal government.
important to keep the
original meaning and to This familial betrayal is multi-pronged. Tony’s closest friend
present it in a new form. and associate is an FBI informant, his mother and uncle are
Basically, you are
simply writing conspiring to have him killed, and his children are surfing the
something in your own Web for information about his activities.
words that expresses
the original idea.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:
(submitted by a student in CRIM 1006E focusing on Sonia Bodi’s article)

I found the article written by Sonia Bodi was very informative and
Reflecting
interesting. Although many of the ideas she presented I agreed
with, there were also a few points that I'd like to argue against. First
I would like to answer the question that was proposed in the title of
Think or write about the this article: How do we bridge the gap between what
implications of what you
read, and in particular we(professors) teach and what they ( students) do? To fill in that
you should think about gap, both sides need to work together. Students need to push
how what you read
connects with own prior themselves to expand their knowledge and help themselves
knowledge, other become more inquisitive, critical, and reflective. Professors, on the
concepts learned in the
course or in the “real” other hand, should push and challenge the students to become
world. better thinkers and help them use what skills they know to their
advantage. When students and professors are thinking on the same
page, they will start to understand each other's viewpoint, thus
making researching a paper easier…
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:
(submitted by a student in CRIM 1006E focusing on Sonia Bodi’s article)

Reflecting
… I enjoyed very much reading this article. It allowed me to
critically reflect upon the way students carry out their
research papers. Sonia Bodi presented many valuable
Think or write about the
implications of what you points that will help me focus on any future papers I will
read, and in particular research.
you should think about
how what you read
connects with own prior
knowledge, other (Source: http://people.stu.ca/~oregan/samplerp.html)
concepts learned in the
course or in the “real”
world.
How can we apply CRITICAL READING?
Ways wherein critical reading is applied:
Title: “ Should girsl be allowed to wear makeup in school?”
Reflecting Source: South China Morning Post (20/9/2006)
Reflection
From my point of view, I don't think that girls should be allowed to wear
Think or write about the makeup in school. First of all, I think that wearing makeup is a waste of time,
implications of what you especially wearing it before going to school. If the girls have to wear makeup
read, and in particular
every morning, then they have less time to sleep or rest, or maybe they
you should think about
how what you read would be late. Then they would be less attentive in class. Also, the makeup
connects with own prior materials are the chemical substances. It would be harmful to our skins if we
knowledge, other
always use them, so I think that it should be used as infrequently as
concepts learned in the
course or in the “real” possible, not when going to school. To conclue, I think that wearing makeup
world. to school is a behaviour that brings more harms than advantage, so I
support not to wear makeup to school.
(Source: http://www.hfcc.edu.hk/schnet/hp/newspaper/newspaper.html)
 Summarizing
Reflecting
It is defined as
taking a lot of Paraphrasing
Annotating information and
Outlining Think or write
creating a It is using your about the
condensed version own words to implications of
Write on the text.
that covers the main express someone what you read,
You can Identify the points. An example else's message or and in
underline, circle main points of of summarizing is ideas. It is particular you
or highlight the writer and writing a three or important to keep should think
words, phrases list them down four-sentence the original about how
or sentences to identify the description that meaning and to what you read
that contain ideas that the touches upon the present it in a new connects with
important details writer has main points of a long form. Basically, own prior
or you can write raised to book. Answering the you are simply knowledge,
marginal notes support his main questions who, writing something other concepts
asking questions stand. Write in what, where, when, in your own words learned in the
or commenting bullets or and how are helpful that expresses the course or in
on the ideas of numbers.
the writer.
to breaking down the original idea. the “real” world.
larger ideas.
Thank you
-END-