Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, publishing by Longman Publishers
Guide to College Reading, 8/eKathleen T. McWhorter
Chapter 9Reading Textbook Chapters
PowerPoint by Gretchen Starks-MartinSt. Cloud State University, MN
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
THIS CHAPTER WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO:
1. Use textbook learning aids
2. Follow the organization of textbook chapters
3. Approach textbooks in new fields of study
4. Read technical material
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
TEXTBOOK LEARNING AIDS
Use textbook learning aids.Follow the organization of
textbook chapters.Read technical materials.
Use textbook learning aids.Follow the organization of
textbook chapters.Read technical materials.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
TEXTBOOK LEARNING AIDS
The Preface To the Student Table of Contents Opening Chapter Typographical Aids Chapter Questions Vocabulary Lists Glossary
The Preface To the Student Table of Contents Opening Chapter Typographical Aids Chapter Questions Vocabulary Lists Glossary
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
The Preface
Author’s Introduction: Why and for whom the author wrote the text How the text is organized Purpose of the text References and authorities consulted Major points of emphasis In-text learning aids included and how to
use them Special features of the text
Author’s Introduction: Why and for whom the author wrote the text How the text is organized Purpose of the text References and authorities consulted Major points of emphasis In-text learning aids included and how to
use them Special features of the text
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
To the Student
Introductory information about the textbook.
Suggestions for learning and studying the text.
An “Instructor” section may follow….it is good to read this too.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Table of Contents
Lists all topics and subtopics coveredProvides and overview of the textSuggests the textbook’s organization
Lists all topics and subtopics coveredProvides and overview of the textSuggests the textbook’s organization
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
The Opening Chapter
The author sets the stage for the book.
The author introduces important terminology. There are usually 40-60 new words.
The author sets the stage for the book.
The author introduces important terminology. There are usually 40-60 new words.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Typographical Aids
1. Italic type--used to call attention to a particular word or phrase.
2. Enumeration--numbering or lettering of facts and ideas to emphasize key ideas.
3. Headings and subheadings--divides chapters into sections and topics
4. Colored print--emphasizes important ideas or definitions
1. Italic type--used to call attention to a particular word or phrase.
2. Enumeration--numbering or lettering of facts and ideas to emphasize key ideas.
3. Headings and subheadings--divides chapters into sections and topics
4. Colored print--emphasizes important ideas or definitions
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Chapter Questions
Review questions– Read questions when previewing the
chapter.
– Use questions or problems as review.
– Use questions or problems as a self-test.
Discussion questions– Use questions to prepare for essay
exams.
Review questions– Read questions when previewing the
chapter.
– Use questions or problems as review.
– Use questions or problems as a self-test.
Discussion questions– Use questions to prepare for essay
exams.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary lists appear at:– beginning of chapter– end of chapter– end of the textbook
If terms are identified at beginning or end, but not defined, mark them and identify their definitions as you come across them in a chapter.
Vocabulary lists appear at:– beginning of chapter– end of chapter– end of the textbook
If terms are identified at beginning or end, but not defined, mark them and identify their definitions as you come across them in a chapter.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Glossary
Mini-dictionary listing alphabetically the important terms used in a book
Faster and more convenient than a dictionary
Gives only the meaning used in the textbook
Use the glossary as a study aid at the end of a course.
Mini-dictionary listing alphabetically the important terms used in a book
Faster and more convenient than a dictionary
Gives only the meaning used in the textbook
Use the glossary as a study aid at the end of a course.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
HOW TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS ARE ORGANIZED
CHAPTER TITLECHAPTER TITLE
Major HeadingMajor Heading
SubheadingSubheading
SubheadingSubheading
SubheadingSubheading
Major HeadingMajor Heading
Major HeadingMajor Heading
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
HOW TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS ARE ORGANIZED
AGE & AGINGAGE & AGING
The Aging ProcessThe Aging Process
Social effects of agingSocial effects of aging
Psychological consequences of agingPsychological consequences of aging
Biological consequences of agingBiological consequences of aging
The Health of Older PersonsThe Health of Older Persons
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
APPROACHING TEXTBOOKS IN NEW FIELDS OF STUDY
Each academic discipline is a unique system of study.
Spend more time than usual reading and studying.
Learn as much as possible until you discover more about what is expected.
Since you do not know how you will eventually organize and use it, process the same information in several different ways.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
APPROACHING TEXTBOOKS IN NEW FIELDS OF STUDY
Use several methods of learning. Ask questions.
– How are the ideas arranged?– Are there any cause and effect
relationships operating?– What are the practical
applications of this information?
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
APPROACHING TEXTBOOKS IN NEW FIELDS OF STUDY
Look for similarities between the new subject matter and other academic fields that are familiar to you.
Establish an overview of the field. Obtain additional reference
materials, if necessary.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
READING TECHNICAL MATERIAL
Fact Density:1. Read technical material more slowly and
carefully than other textbooks.
2. Plan on reviewing various sections several times.
3. Keep a notebook of important information.
Fact Density:1. Read technical material more slowly and
carefully than other textbooks.
2. Plan on reviewing various sections several times.
3. Keep a notebook of important information.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
The Vocabulary of Technical Writing
1. Context clues are commonly included in technical writing.
2. Analyze word parts of technical vocabulary.
3. Learn to pronounce each new term you come across.
4. Make use of the glossary.5. Buy a subject area dictionary if you are
majoring in a technical field.
1. Context clues are commonly included in technical writing.
2. Analyze word parts of technical vocabulary.
3. Learn to pronounce each new term you come across.
4. Make use of the glossary.5. Buy a subject area dictionary if you are
majoring in a technical field.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Abbreviations and Notations
Learn relevant abbreviations from that specific field.
Check the appendix for lists of abbreviations and symbols.
Make a list of the symbols.
Learn relevant abbreviations from that specific field.
Check the appendix for lists of abbreviations and symbols.
Make a list of the symbols.
Work through sample problems
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Graphic Aids
Use drawings, charts, tables, and diagrams.
1. Go back and forth between the text and the illustrations.
2. Study each illustration carefully.
3. Test your understanding of illustrations by drawing and labeling an illustration of your own without looking at the one in the text.
Use drawings, charts, tables, and diagrams.
1. Go back and forth between the text and the illustrations.
2. Study each illustration carefully.
3. Test your understanding of illustrations by drawing and labeling an illustration of your own without looking at the one in the text.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Examples and Sample Problems
1. Pay more attention to examples than you normally do in other textbooks.
2. Be sure to work through sample problems.
3. Use the problems at the end of the chapter as a self-test.
1. Pay more attention to examples than you normally do in other textbooks.
2. Be sure to work through sample problems.
3. Use the problems at the end of the chapter as a self-test.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
LEARNING STYLE TIPS
Applied learner: Writing a list of what you expect to learn from the chapter in the order in which you expect it to be presented.
Conceptual learner: Studying the headings in the table of contents and discovering how they fit together.
Are you an applied learner or a conceptual learner?
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
SELF-TEST SUMMARY
What types of learning aids do textbooks contain?
How are textbooks organized?How can I adapt to new fields of
study?What features distinguish
technical material?
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
TEST-TAKING TIPS:Studying for Exams in Your Other Courses
Review textbook chapters.Review lecture notes.Test yourself.Review previous exams and
quizzes.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
Visit the Companion Website
http://www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter
For additional readings, exercises, and Internet Activities, visit this book’s
Companion Website.If you need a user name and password, please
see your instructor.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing by Longman Publishers
My Reading Lab
For more practice with reading textbooks, visit MyReadingLab, click on the Reading Skills tab, and then click on Reading Textbooks---Grand
Canyon, Arizona.
www.ablongman.com/myreadinglab
