Reading and Writing Skills Notes

Objectives

• Describe a written text as connected discourse.
• Differentiate between attributes of speaking and writing.
• Use reading strategies for comprehending a text.

Text as Connected Discourse

• Text combines symbols (letters) to form words.
• Words combine into phrases, sentences, and paragraphs to create connected discourse.

Key Terms

• Text: Original words of a written work (Merriam-Webster).
• Discourse: Verbal interchange of ideas; connected speech or writing (Merriam-Webster).

Characteristics of Speaking vs. Writing

• Speaking:
  • Spontaneous and unplanned.
  • Uses verbal and non-verbal cues.
  • Offers immediate feedback.
  • Often informal and repetitive.
• Writing:
  • Planned and can be edited.
  • Relies on written words for meaning.
  • Delayed response.
  • More formal and may use complex sentences.

Reading Strategies

• Skimming:
  • Quickly reading for main ideas. Optimal for overviews or reviews.
• Scanning:
  • Searching for specific information, ideal for finding answers.
• Context Clues:
  • Utilize surrounding text for word meaning (synonyms, definitions, antonyms, explanations, and word parts).
• Close Reading:
  • Thoughtful analysis focusing on details and patterns to understand the text deeply.

Summary of Key Points

• Connected discourse involves interaction among text components to convey messages.
• Writing demands clarity and precision compared to spontaneous speaking.
• Essential reading strategies like skimming and scanning enhance comprehension.