Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Reading Academic Texts PDF

Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Reading Academic Texts The text you read in school is different from the text you read during your free time. There are also texts you read for pleasure such as novels, magazines and the like. Academic texts are the materials you read that need time to comprehend thei...

Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Reading Academic Texts The text you read in school is different from the text you read during your free time. There are also texts you read for pleasure such as novels, magazines and the like. Academic texts are the materials you read that need time to comprehend their meaning. Examples of Academic Texts: Academic Text Description Articles Published in scholarly journals, it offers results of research and development that can either impact the academic community or provide relevance to nation-building. Conference papers These are the papers presented in scholastic conferences, and may be revised as articles for possible publication in scholarly journals. Reviews These provide evaluation or reviews of works published in scholarly journals. Theses, Dissertation These are personal research written by a candidate for a college or university degree. Reading Goals: o To better understand existing idea o To get ideas that can support a particular writing assignment o To gain more information o To identify gaps in existing study o Connect to ideas to existing once Content and Style of Academic Text 1. States critical questions and issues 2. Provide facts and evidence from credible sources 3. Used precise and accurate vocabularies and avoid jargons 4. Avoid being subjective and personal 5. List references 6. Use hedging or cautious language to tone down their claims Critical Reading Strategies To effectively read academic texts, it is essential to grasp the context and engage actively with the material. This involves questioning the text's assumptions, responding to its arguments, and connecting its content to real-life experiences. Critical reading enables you to identify the key arguments the author presents. Here are strategies to enhance your critical reading skills: Before Reading ✓ Identify the Type of Text. Determine the nature of the academic text you are reading (e.g., journal article, textbook, research report). ✓ Establish Your Purpose. Clarify why you are reading the text and what you aim to achieve.  ✓ Understand the Author’s Purpose. Identify why the author wrote the text and what they intend to convey. ✓ Predict the Main Idea. Based on the title, infer the central argument or theme of the text. ✓ Assess Your Attitude. Reflect on your initial thoughts and feelings towards the author and the text. ✓ Activate Prior Knowledge. Note what you already know about the topic and what you hope to learn. ✓ Determine the Target Audience. Consider who the text is written for and how this influences its content and style. ✓ Use Graphic Organizers. Create a concept map or graphic organizer to visualize your existing knowledge and ideas about the topic. While Reading ✓ Highlight Key Points. Underline significant words, phrases, or sentences, and jot down key terms or phrases in the margins where important information is found. ✓ Note Confusions. Write down any questions or points of confusion to revisit later for clarity. ✓ Identify Limitations. Note any limitations or weaknesses in the author's argument. ✓ Evaluate Reliability. Assess the reliability of the text, noting any potential biases of the author. ✓ Build a Vocabulary Bank. Compile a list of new or important terms and their definitions. ✓ Summarize Key Arguments. At the end of each chapter or section, synthesize the author's main arguments. ✓ Analyze Main Ideas. Determine the main idea of the text, identify the supporting evidence or arguments provided by the author, and evaluate their validity and relevance. Post-Reading Reflection and Engagement 1. Reflect on Key Takeaways. Contemplate what you have learned from the text. 2. Write Your Reactions. Record your responses and thoughts about specific parts of the text. 3. Engage in Discussion. Talk about certain sections with your teacher or classmates to gain different perspectives. 4. Connect to Prior Knowledge. Relate the main idea of the text to your existing knowledge and experiences. Other Reading Strategies A. SQ3R Method 1. Survey ▪ Skim the target text. ▪ Check the headings and tables, diagrams, or figures presented in the text. ▪ Read the first few and last sentences of the text to determine key information. 2. Question ▪ Annotate the headings with your questions.  ▪ Develop questions on the types of information you expect from the text. 3. Read ▪ Look for answers to your questions as you read the text. ▪ Stop and slow down if the passage is not clear. ▪ Make sure to proceed reading only when you already understand the previous texts. 4. Recite ▪ Recount the main points of the text. ▪ Recall by writing a summary or synthesis based on what you understand of the text. 5. Review ▪ After finishing the text, go back and re-read the questions you wrote and see if you can answer them; if not, refresh your memory. ▪ Evaluate what you learned to ensure that you are convinced and satisfied with the information presented in the text. B. KWL Method ▪ K- what I Know ▪ W- what I Want to learn ▪ L- what I have Learned