LESSON 2: Reading Strategies

Question 1

General purposes for reading an academic text:

Answer 1

1. To better understand an existing idea
2. To get ideas that can support a particular writing assignment
3. To gain more information
4. To identify gaps in existing studies
5. To connect new ideas to existing ones

Question 2

Before Reading:

Answer 2

1. Determine which type of academic text (article, review, thesis, etc.) you are reading.
2. Determine and establish your purpose for reading.
3. Identify the author’s purpose for writing.
4. Predict or infer the main idea or argument of the text based on its title.
5. Identify your attitude toward the author and the text.

Question 3

During Reading:

Answer 3

ANNOTATE:

1. Write key words or phrases on the margins in bullet form.
2. Write something on the page margin where important information is found.
3. Write brief notes on the margin.

Question 4

Ways of annotation:

Answer 4

1. Write key words or phrases on the margins in bullet form.
2. Write something on the page margin where important information is found.
3. Write brief notes on the margin.

Question 5

After Reading:

Answer 5

1. Reflect on what you learned.
2. React on some parts of the text through writing.
3. Discuss some parts with your teacher or classmates.
4. Link the main idea of the text to what you already know.

Question 6

Tips in reading an academic text:

Answer 6

1. State what you already know and what you want to learn about the topic.
2. Determine the target audience.
3. Check the publication date for relevance. It should have been published at most five years earlier than the current year.
4. Check the reference list while making sure to consider the correctness of the formatting style.
5. Use a concept map or a graphic organizer to note your existing ideas and knowledge on the topic.