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Reading Expository Texts. Research Paper. Expository Texts. An expository text is a non-fiction, informational reading. When reading an expository text, it is not always necessary to read every word.
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Reading ExpositoryTexts Research Paper
ExpositoryTexts • An expository text is a non-fiction, informational reading. • When reading an expository text, it is not always necessary to read every word. • When reading for information, especially with research, there are several techniques to help you remember and organize our information.
Skimming • Skimming is a reading technique that helps you get the main idea of the text. When would this be useful? • To determine if a text will be a useful research source, to get the main idea, or to find an author’s point of view or bias.
Skimming: Guided Questions • Title and Headings – Ask: What is the title? What does the boldface subtitle tell the reader? • First and Last – Ask: What do the first and last paragraphs tell you? • Special Type – Ask: What important proper nouns, names, dates, or numbers can you find? • Bias – Ask: What clues about bias or credibility stand out? What do they tell you?
Scanning • Scanning is a way for readers to find key words or ideas. When would this technique be useful? • Find a specific word of interest, find an item on a web page, or locate a name. • If you scan a text and find it useful, return to it and scan it.
How to Scan a Text • Sweep your eyes across the page to see what information the text contains. • Look for key words to help you find the facts you need. • Concentrate on finding specific answers (only the information you need).
Highlighting • When reading an expository text, it is helpful to highlight key points for later reference. • What should I highlight? • A sentence or word that sums up an important idea • Quotations • Statistics • Specialized terms or vocabulary • Example of or links to other ideas • Note: Only highlight ideas you do not already know. • Note: Be brief with highlighting – only necessary information.
Annotating • After reading each paragraph, use the side margins to write brief comments, questions, or key ideas. • This will help you to understand the material, reference it quickly, and organize your main ideas/key points. • Note: I usually annotate each time I highlight a passage.
Paraphrasing • Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s ideas using your own words. • Example: Can an ape master anything like human language? Although primatologists have reported such abilities, the high priests of linguistics have scoffed. • How can we make this more simple and easy to understand?
Paraphrasing • Example: Can an ape master anything like human language? Although primatologists have reported such abilities, the high priests of linguistics have scoffed. • Paraphrase: Researchers who work with primates such as apes believe that certain apes can acquire language. However, language experts question that idea.
How to paraphrase • Read the text and get a sense of the information presented. • As you read, write down any unfamiliar words and find synonyms or simple definitions. • After you read, reread the text one sentence at a time. Break each sentence into key phrases. • Get rid of fancy, complicated, or unnecessary words/phrases. • Rewrite passage in your own words. • Note: All information/ideas taken from someone else must be cited.
Summarizing • A summary is a brief retelling of the main ideas in a longer work. • A summary includes the main points, is written in your own words, and is always shorter and simpler than the original text.
How To Summarize • Preview the text (skim). • Read the text. After each paragraph, restate the main idea in your own words. • Ask: What is happening? What are the causes? What are the consequences? • Highlight and annotate as you read. • Get rid of extra information or repeated words. • Write a summary of the text.
Review • Depending on the purpose for reading, we can use different strategies to organize and remember information. • Skimming a text allows us to quickly find the main idea and decide if the text is useful. • Scanning a text allows us to find key words or vocabulary quickly. • Highlighting and annotating are ways to find and recall important information. • Paraphrasing is summing up and putting information in our own words. • Summarizing is a brief recap of someone else’s ideas.