Chapter 7
General Approaches to Vocabulary Expansion |
Read widely Sample different subjects and styles of writing Use Words You Already Know Words you use in everyday speak Spoken, I know, but, because, um Written; therefore, however, since, Words you know but seldom or never use in your own speech or writing Words you have seen before but cannot fully define Words you have never seen or heard before Look for Five-dollar Words to Replace One-Dollar Words The book was good, but it was very long. The book was an exhaustingly long journey but expressed an amazing story. Build Your Words Awareness Get in the habit of noticing unfamiliar words Pay attention to words that seem useful |
A Strategy for Learning Unfamiliar Words |
Try to figure out the meaning of the word through the context Context; the familiar words surrounding the unfamiliar word throughout the sentence, paragraph, or passage |
Context Clues |
Definition example/illustration Contrast the logic of the passage. |
Analyzing Word Parts |
Prefixes; appears at the beginning of words to alter or modify the meaning of the root word they are connected to A- =without, negative, not Anti- =against aut/o- =self Bi- =two/double Roots; the basic meaning of the words (typically greek or latin) acr/o- = extremities abdomin/o- = abdominal Suffixes; word endings -amiea= blood -itis= inflammation |
Using Reference Sources |
General Dictionaries Audio component Merriam-Webster Multiple dictionary entries Dictionary.com Make sure you know how to spell the word you are searching for Thesauruses a dictionary for synonyms Thesaures.com Another word for; however, very, because… Subject area dictionaries Medical dictionary Bilingual dictionaries Scrabble Dictionaries Vocabulary Enrichment with Electronic Sources ebooks/ textbooks with highlighted words |
Learning Specialized Terminology |
Specialized terminology in class lecture Make space in your class note for new terms and definitions Specialized terminology in textbooks Typically underlined, highlighted, bolded, colored print Margin definitions on the side or bottom of page |
Systems for learning vocabulary |
Flash Cards Used for studying, review, to test yourself Front of card=word Back of card=definition &/ examples Computerized Vocabulary log chart/table Sections for word, meaning, and location information is found |
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Chapter 8
Evaluating Data and Evidence |
Facts Personal Experience Examples Statistics Comparison Analogies Appeal to Authority Cause-effect Relationships |
Reading Arguments |
Identify the issue Identify the claim/position, idea/action the writer is trying to persuade Read the entire article/essay completely more than once if necessary Evaluate the types of evidence provided Observe whether the author recognizes opposing views Watch for conclusions Write a brief outline of the argument, listing key points |
Distinguishing between fact and opinion |
Fact Statements that can be verified That is provided to be true/false Opinion Statements that express feelings, attributes/ beliefs and neither are true/false |
Identify the author’s purpose |
Consider the source of the material (sources, examples, complex ideas, language) The intended audience (interest level, age, sex, occupation, ethnic group) The point of view/perspective (fact/opinion, are both sides shown) What is the writer trying to prove (is it persuasive) |
Recognizing bias |
Pay attention to emotional language Notice descriptive language Look for opposing viewpoints |
How to identify a tone |
Tone - the style/manner of expression in speaking/writing Consider how the information makes you feel Study the author's word choice Study how the author writes |
Evaluate the website's content |
Does the website provide useful, relevant, credible, information written by experts/ provided by good reputations Is the information presented in a way that you can understand - are sources cited? Does the website provide complete information and data Who sponsors the website and is the sponsor biased If opinions are offered, are they clearly presented as opinion Does the author make unsubstantial assumptions Are the links relevant and current Is the content well written |
Informational (.edu/.gov) |
To present facts, information and research data. May contain reports, statistical data, a result of research studies and reference materials |
News (.com/.org) |
To provide current information on local, national, and international news. Often supplements print newspapers, periodicals, and TV news. |
Advocacy (.com/.org) |
To promote a particular cause/point of view. Usually controversial issue; nonprofit groups |
Commercial (.com/.biz/.info) |
To promote goods/services |
Personal (.info/.com/.biz/.edu) |
To provide info about an individual’s interests and accomplishments. |
Evaluating author and source credibility |
Asses the author's authority Check the copyright/posting date Look for footnotes, endnotes, a list of references. These suggest the author consulted other sources and is presenting reliable data. Identify the intended audience Verify one source against other sources Look for a consensus of opinion Ask critical questions |
Inferences |
A reasoned guess about what you don’t know based on what you do know. Suggestions Understand the directly stated meaning first Add up the facts Use clues provided by the writer Make logical inference Verify your inference |
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Chapter 11 and 12
Paying attention to connotative language |
Denotative meanings: all words have one or more standard meanings Connotative meanings: include the feelings and associations that accompany a word. |
Examining figurative language |
Simile: uses the words like or as to make the comparison The computer hums like a beehive After 5:00 P.M. our downtown is a ghost town Personification: compares humans and nonhumans according to one characteristic, attributing human characteristics to ideas or objects. When evaluating ask the following questions Why did the writer make the comparison What is the basis or shared characteristic of the comparison Is the comparison accurate What images does the comparison suggest? How do these images make you feel? Is the comparison positive or negative? Are several different interpretations possible? |
Watching for missing information |
What hasn't the author told me? The author has deliberately omitted important information in an attempt to cover up or mislead Do additional research Did the author report details secretively? The author favors a particular viewpoint Determine the author’s bias. Compare the source with a source presenting an alternative viewpoint Is there contradictory evidence that was not reported? The author has presented both sides of an issue fairly Obtain additional sources that discuss both sides |
Being alert for generalizations |
Generalization: a statement about an entire group based on known information about part of the group. |
Examining the author’s assumptions |
Assumption: an idea or principle the author accepts as true and makes no effort to prove or substantiate. |
Watching for manipulative language |
Cliche: a tired, overused expression Allusion: references to well-known religious, literary, artistic, or historical works or sources. Euphemism: a word or phrase that is used in place of a word that is unpleasant, embarrassing, or otherwise objectionable. |
Chapter 12 |
Beyond Textbooks: Other Academic Sources |
Level of retention: textbooks=high level of retention and recall Other sources=low retention; instead look for statistics and familiarity with subjects Format and organization: textbooks=consistant format and organization Other sources= variety of formats and organization How to locate sources Consult with your reference librarian to determine the best sources available Read an encyclopedia entry to get an overview of the subject Check the library’s online catalog to see how your topic is subdivided Consider your purpose and the type of information you need Consult your instructor if you’re not sure whether your source is appropriate |
Reference book (encyclopedia, directory) |
Provides authoritative background and overview; useful when starting out on a new topic to become familiar with key names dates and concepts; usually lists sources for further reading |
Scholarly nonfiction book-monograph |
1 author’s detailed treatment of the subject using their own research, ideas, and informed opinions that are supported by those of others. Often refutes opposing viewpoints and offers points of consideration. |
Scholarly nonfiction book-edited collection |
A group of essays centered around a common theme or idea, each providing a specific viewpoint or theory |
Periodical magazine |
Provides articles on current topics of interest for a broad audience; can give a simplified treatment of a scholarly topic |
Primary Sources |
Original documents that give a first-person account of an era or event (letters and diaries) |
Periodicals: Magazines and Scholarly Journals |
Magazines include A broad audience, often the general public Information and entertainment Colorful photographs Advertising Commercial publisher Writers are journalists or enthusiasts; they are paid for their articles. Scholarly articles include A specialized audience, such as professionals Research themes, ideas detailed analysis Little or no advertising Published by a professional organization or educational institute Authors are experts in the field-researchers, professors; they are not paid for their articles. The structure of articles and essays Title Can suggest the subject and create interest Introduction Identifies the topic Presents the thesis statement Interests the reader Provides background Defines terms Body Supports and explains the thesis statement Presents each main supporting point in a separate paragraph Provides, in each paragraph, details to make each point understandable Conclusion Reemphasizes the thesis statement Draws essay to a close The structure of scholarly articles Abstract A brief summary of the article and its findings Appears at the beginning of the article, following the title and author Summary of related research Summarized research that already has been completed on the subject Authors will cite and briefly report their findings Brings you up to date on the research in order to help you understand why this research was conducted Methodology The author begins to describe their research Experimental research = purpose, description of the `40population studied, sample size, procedures, and statistical tests applied. Results Results and findings of the research Implications, discussions, and conclusion Explanation of the results and presents possible implications and conclusions Further research Based on their findings some authors conclude the article by suggesting additional research that is needed to further explain the problem or issue being studied. |
Nonfiction and Scholarly Books |
How to identify approptiate sholarly nonfiction sources What are the author’s credentials? Who is the publisher? Is the writing style serious, sophisticated, or complicated? Does the author cite their sources? Finding what you need in a serious nonfiction or scholarly book Textbooks Summarize Memorize Work with information Chapter-review questions Glossaries Scholarly books Table of contents Index Notes, bibliographies, lists or works cited Illustrations |
How To Read Academic Sources |
How To Read Academic Sources Analyze the assignment Preview the sources Determine how the sources are organized Select a level of comprehension that suits your purpose and the task Choose a reading strategy Using skimming and Scanning to read academic sources Skimming: a technique in which you selectively read and skip in order to find only the most important ideas. Scanning: a technique for quickly looking through reading material to locate a particular piece of information-a fact, a date, a name, a statistic. |
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Chapter 9
Types of supporting information Examples Reasons Descriptions facts/statistics Citation of research |
Definition To define/explain the meaning of a term/concept Transitions Refers to Means Is Can be defined as Consist of |
Time sequence process A clear way to describe events, process, procedures, and development of theories in the order they occur Transitions First Second Later Next As soon as Before After Then Finally Meanwhile Following Last Burning When Until |
comparison/contrast Comparisons that analyze the similarities and differences Transitions Similarities Also Similarity Like Likewise Too As well as Both Differences Unlike Despite Instead On the other hand Nevertheless However In spite of |
Cause-effect Understanding the subject and learning how and why things happen Cause Because of Since One cause is One reason is Effect Consequently As a result of One result is Therefore Thus |
Classification To divide a broad topic into categories Several kinds of One type Another type First Second Finally Can be classified as |
Listing-enumeration Lists of facts, characteristics, parts/categories can appear in any order One Another Also Too For instance First Second Finally For example In addition |
Learning Imprinting: forming association/identification Habituation Associative learning Latent learning Insight |
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