Comprehension of Technical Texts
The comprehension of technical texts in subjects like chemistry, anatomy and calculus can be
challenging. Most textbooks in technical subjects are saturated with technical terms, formulas,
and theories. You will find many important ideas in a single chapter, which must be read
carefully in its entirety. Each concept in the chapter is like a building block to your
understanding of the text and the course material. According to reading expert Ronald Fry (2000,
p.69), there are five basic areas of information to watch for in technical texts, which will help
you find the main idea and the details needed to understand the material thoroughly:
1. Definitions and terms: You must develop an understanding of the terms specific to the
discipline that you are studying. These are the terms that enable people that work in a
field to communicate with precision.
2. Examples are used by authors to connect abstract principles to concrete illustrations.
Examples are given to help you clarify and comprehend complicated information in a
field of study.
3. Classifications and listings: Categorize common subjects under a general heading to
create lists of extensive detail. Often in technical texts, there are several categories and
subcategories to organize the details in a manageable way.
Example:
Classification: seasons
Listing: winter, spring, summer, fall
4. Comparison and contrast: By offering a similar and/or an opposing picture to the material
presented, texts can bring complicated material into focus. This helps you to grasp
concepts that are hard to picture in your mind (such as gravity). Comparison relates a
concept in the text to one that has already been defined or one that you should understand
readily. Contrast shows distinctions and differences between two ideas, which make them
clearer as they are held up against each other.
5. Cause and effect relationships are the quest of most scientific fields. When an effect is
observed and research is conducted into its cause, the details of the cause-effect
relationship are often very significant to the field of study.
To successfully comprehend the reading for a course with numerous technical terms, you
must read with a plan! Fry (2000, p. 74) suggests the following tips:
•
Learn the terms that are essential to understanding the concepts presented in the text. Know
the precise definitions just as the author uses them so you can follow his/her thought process
throughout the textbook.
•
Figure out the structure and organization of the textbook. Usually, there will be a definite
pattern to the way the material is organized. Look at the table of contents for clues.
•
Skim the chapter, asking questions about your purpose for reading. Use summaries and
review questions to guide your reading.
•
Be analytical as you read. Don’t go to the next sections until you have a full understanding
of the section you are currently reading. In technical texts, the concepts build in each
chapter.
•
Read slowly to digest every word of the material.
•
Pay close attention to examples and memorize all formulas. Try to translate the formulas and
numbers into words. This translation will help you test your understanding of them.
•
Review after you complete your reading. Write down a summary of the concepts and
theories you need to remember. Answer review questions, work out problems, and apply
formulas when possible.
Sources
Fry, R. W. (2000). Improve Your Reading (4th ed.). Delmar Thomson Learning.
This document was compiled by Shirley “Mandy” Sexton, Ph.D.