REA 0002

Chapters Review Study Guide

Chapter 1 – Vocabulary in Context

Sometimes you come across words in your reading which you do not know. In the olden days of your education you were often told to sound them out, but that was not always successful or reliable. Authors often give you clues imbedded into the sentences to help you figure out the words. You need to recognize these clues.

Types of clues:

Example – a word is given in the sentence and it will be followed by examples that serve as context clues for the word.

– Examples are often introduced by these words: For instance Including For example Such as

– As they moved westward, early pioneers faced many adversities, such as scarce food, extreme weather, and loneliness.

More Clues: Synonyms - Antonyms

Synonyms: synonyms are words that mean the same or almost the same as the unknown word

– My boss had an abrasive personality. It’s so irritating that he has trouble keeping his friends.

Antonyms: Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of the unknown word.

– Signaled by these words: however, but, yet, on the other hand, in contrast

– My piano teacher’s criticism was always profuse, but her praise was scarce.

Final Clue: General Sense of Passage

General Sense of the passage: Can be found by skipping the word and using the other words to suggest the meaning of the skipped word.

Give your brain a chance to make sense of it.– One argument against capital punishment is that if

an innocent person is executed, the mistake cannot be rectified.

Chapter 2 – Main Idea

One of the most important skills for you to learn is to be able to detect the main idea of a reading selection. This should not be too difficult if you can remember the steps you need to take.

What is it all about? Gives you the topic What is the point the author is making?

Give you the main idea!

Main Idea

Just like in writing, there are usually 3 basic parts to every paragraph. The topic, the main idea, and the supporting details.

Main ideas and topic sentences can be found anywhere in the passage.

The main idea is expressed in general terms. It does not give you specific details.

– These are the causes of the civil war.– Here are some steps to take to improve your grade.

Chapter 3: Supporting Details

Supporting details are just what the name suggests. They are the specific information used to support your main idea. – They are the reasons, examples, steps, and other

kinds of specific information which explains the main idea further.

You will be able to pick out the details in a couple of ways. Look for special words...

List words – tell you that a list of details is coming– Several kinds of a few causes four steps– A few reasons a number of a

series of– Among the results several advantages – To name a few.

Addition Words – tell you that more information is being added to what you already know.

Addition Words: – One first of all in addition furthermore– First second moreover last of all– Also next another finally

Chapter 4 – Implied Main Idea

Sometimes, a main idea is not directly stated. Then you must use the clues (topic – supporting details) to help you figure out the what is implied (make an inference)

You use the same process you did for finding the main idea. Only you start with the details that the author gives you…then you ask:

What is the point the author is making?

The terms central point, gist, and thesis are just other names for the main idea. They can be stated or inferred.

Ask:– What is this all about? – topic– What is the support the author gives me? – supporting details– What is the point the author is making? - implied main idea– Use the list words and addition words to help you.

Chapter 5 – Relationships I

We have already touched on these relationships among the words. You probably know them from writing as transition words.

It is the means by which the author organizes thoughts.

The first one signals a list pattern of organization.

Words that show addition:

These words can list information or additional information

Here are some examples: Also furthersecond(ly) furthermore Next in addition finally for one thing Thirdlymoreover another first of all One last of all Key factor to remember:

They can be interchanged into ANY order.

Words that show time:

These words tell us that something happened in relation to when something else happened.

They make clear the order of events, stages, and steps in a process.

– Before last eventually soon until– Previously immediately then now– First while since second during– Often third later frequently as– Next after when– THEY MUST STAY IN THE SAME ORDER!

Chapter 6 – Relationships II

Three more types of relationships that an author could use in writing.

Illustration: The author gives you a concept and then gives you examples to clarify the idea. Some examples could include:– For example for instance to illustrate such as– Including specifically to be specific once– One as an illustration

Comparison and/or Contrast

These make it clear that the author is comparing (showing likenesses) or contrasting (showing differences)

Comparison words:– (just) as similar(ly) same resemble– (just) like similarity alike in like manner– Equally likewise both in the same

way– In like fashion resemble in a similar fashionWords that tell how one thing is like another.

Contrast words: – Even though instead still but– However as opposed to yet unlike– In contrast on the other hand while despite– Differently in spite of rather than– Differ from although on the contrary– Difference conversely nevertheless– Opposite – Points out the differences between subjects!

Cause and Effect Relationships

Signal an author is explaining the reason why something happened or will happen and what happened.

Cause/effect words:– Therefore result so because (of)– Thus cause since as a result– Reason results in effect explanation– Consequently leads toaffect accordingly– Owing to since due to if…thenPoints out the reasons or the results!

Patterns of Organization:

Authors organize what they have to say around these patterns of organization:

Some times they indicate just a list of things (list/addition)

Sometimes they show the sequence in which something happens. (time order)

These two would be either a list or time order.

More Patterns of Organization

Definition and example – The author would present an uncommon term and then define it for you using one or more examples.

Compare/Contrast – The author would tell how two things are alike or different.

Cause and Effect – The author will address the why something occurred and/or tell the results of an event.

Chapter 7 – Fact and Opinion

The author will give you information. They will be factual or can express opinions.

A fact is something that can be proved through objective evidence.

– Physical proof, the spoken word, written testimony of witnesses

– REA 0002 is a class that is taught at MCC. An opinion is a belief, judgment, or conclusion that

cannot be objectively proved true.– Uses value laden words; should, ought to– REA 0002 is the best class I ever took.

Common Value Words: (involve emotions)– Best great disgusting wonderful better– Bad good beautiful worst terrible– Lovely worse– Not all people will agree.

Cautions:– Facts can be found to be untrue.– Opinions may be presented as facts.– Value words represent opinions.– Much of what we read is both.

Chapter 8 - Inference

Sometimes we pick up ideas that are not directly stated. Just like we did in the chapter on Implied Main Ideas. We actually read between the lines, or infer or draw a conclusion about what we have read.

After the thunderstorm, you get home to discover that your clocks are all twelve minutes slow. What might you infer?

How to infer

1. Read the words (clues) the author gives you. 2. Use your experiences and general knowledge of

events and people’s behavior. 3. Make an informed (logical) guess based on these

facts and knowledge. Use all the clues provided for you, your own

experience and logic. Can infer from pictures, tables and graphs, from

literature and from poetry.

Chapter 9 – Purpose and Tone

There are three basic reasons why authors write. 1. To inform: - give you information on a subject…

facts to explain or illustrate 2. To Persuade: try to convince the reader to agree

with their point of view. 3. To Entertain: - amuse or delight you – appeal to

your sense of imagination – fiction or non fiction –– Do not want to inform – Do not want to persuade

When an author tries to persuade you, he may use facts which support his point of view…there might be an opposing view. It would be slanted in some way. Often uses should or ought to to indicate the writer is trying to persuade.

Tone

When a person speaks, we can tell their tone from the inflections in their voice. An author uses words and details to express voice. Think about the choice of words. How would you say them aloud? What meaning do they convey?

(Review the list on pages 349 – 350) Irony is a special tone. It says one thing, but means

another. It usually means the opposite of what is said. – I am so sad that this semester is drawing to a close.

Chapter 10 - Argument

Argument means a rational discussion in which each person advances and supports a point of view about some matter.

That point of view (argument) must be supported by evidence.

The evidence must be relevant – support the point of view.

Steps to determine if the argument is supported.

1. Recognize the POINT the author is making. (MAIN IDEA – general statement)

2. Decide if the support is relevant to the point. (sticks to the topic)

3. Decide if the support is adequate. (rule of thumb…at least 3 supporting reasons – just like in writing)

Bias

Authors express their opinions in their writing. When these opinions are positive….then the author is biased in favor of the topic.

If they are negative, then they are biased against. Look at the word choices the author uses. They will tell

you how he feels. Example: great – lousy – pretty – drop dead gorgeous

– a dog – terrific. You get the picture…

Test Taking Tips!

Read the questions BEFORE you read the passage. This way you know what is being expected of you.

Work backwards on some questions…think about the foils…for eg. Nostalgic…what does that mean…then think about the passage…does the author look back on his past with warm fuzzy feelings?

More Tips

You will have 75 minutes for the exam… There are 4 stories with 9 questions each… That would be 18 minutes a story… TAKE YOUR TIME!!!! Some skills will be directly stated…like what is the

tone…is this a fact or opinion…was the point/topic adequately supported? What is the main idea of paragraph 2. What does the word mean in sentence 4. What is the relationship between sentence 1 and 2

No one can leave before everyone is finished. Be prepared with something to keep you

QUIET and busy. Sleeping at that time would be OK. I promise to wake you to leave.

You are all good readers and have all the skills you need to pass the test!

Think of it as just another practice.