Sherfield and Moody Cornerstones
Topic: Read
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Top Academic Problems
College math courses
and
Reading comprehension
Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Ingredients for Successful Reading
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The material you are reading
Pens or pencils and a highlighter
Paper for taking notes
A dictionary (traditional or online)
Time devoted exclusively to reading
An open mind
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Active v. Passive Reading
• Active readers approach assignments with a
positive, open mind and say “I’m going to
learn from this!”
• Passive readers have a negative attitude about
reading: “This stuff is worthless!”
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How Long Will It Take?
• Calculate your raw reading speed
• Average reading speed is 250 words/minute
• Average textbook page has 450 words
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Are You a Logodaedalian?
• Develop a dynamic vocabulary by reading
• Look up unfamiliar words in a collegiate or
online dictionary
• Jot down the best definition in the margin of
your text
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Improve Speed and
Comprehension
• Increase your concentration
– Reduce distractions
– Set a schedule with breaks
– Take notes as you read
• Reduce your fixations
– Average reader sees 2.5 words per eye movement
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Reading Online Material
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Set a schedule with breaks
Survey entire site first
Copy/paste to enlarge as needed
Use online sticky notes or highlighters to mark
Take notes as you read
Use text-to-speech program to convert
written word into audio presentation
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Get to the Point!
• The topic is the subject of the paragraph
• Many paragraphs in college texts will not have
a specific topic sentence
• Ask “Who or what is this paragraph about?” to
find the main idea
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A Plan for Active Reading: SQ3R
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SQ3R - Scanning
• Read the title, headings, and subheadings
• Look at bold terms and graphic material
• Read chapter summary
• Read first and last sentence of each paragraph
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SQ3R - Questioning
• Turn major chapter headings into questions
• Ask “Who? When? What? Where? Why?”
• Answer questions after reading
• If you can’t answer these, reread right away!
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SQ3R - Reading
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Read an entire paragraph before marking
Identify and mark the main point
Highlight key ideas
Beware of overmarking text
Stop to look up unfamiliar words
Take notes while you read
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SQ3R - Reciting
• After reading, ask “What was that all about?”
• Explain aloud what you read
• Recite alone or with a study partner
• Reread if you can’t recite!
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SQ3R - Reviewing
• Final step for comprehension
• Survey and read text again
• Answer questions you developed
• Stores the information
Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Topic Reflections
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Approach text with an open mind
Free your mind to focus
Read with necessary materials
Look up words you don’t know
Record vocabulary words to review
Use SQ3R
Seek assistance if you are having difficulty
The more you use your reading skills, the better
you’ll become at comprehending text.
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