WEEK 1 - ENGACPROF - THE READING PROCESS

Week 1 - The Reading Process

What is Reading?

  • Definition: Cognitive process that involves decoding symbols to arrive at meaning.

  • Active Process: Constructing meanings of words, involves prior knowledge and strategic understanding.

Components of Reading

  • Recognition of Words: Leads to comprehension development.

  • Negotiation of Meaning: Interaction between the text and the reader.

Stages of the Reading Process

  1. Pre-Reading

    • Activates background knowledge.

    • Previews the text.

    • Develops a purpose for reading.

  2. During Reading

    • Makes and confirms or revises predictions.

  3. After Reading

    • Retells stories, discusses elements, answers questions, and creates summaries.

Comprehension

  • Definition: The intentional, interactive process before, during, and after reading.

  • Key Aspects: Integrates reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge.

Reading Strategies

  • Skimming

    • Rapid reading for main points.

    • Useful for previewing or refreshing understanding of text.

  • Scanning

    • Quick reading to find specific information.

    • Effective for navigating sections like introductions and indices.

  • Detailed Reading & Note Taking

    • Techniques include underlining, highlighting, using keywords, and summarizing.

    • Encourages active engagement with reading materials.

Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

  • Making Inferences: Understanding implicit meanings based on background knowledge.

  • Drawing Conclusions: Using visual clues and information pieces to arrive at acceptable conclusions.

Thesis Statement

  • Definition: A sentence that expresses the main idea of an article or essay.

  • Purpose: Control ideas and guide readers on what to expect.

Types of Thesis Statements

  1. Analytical Thesis Statement

    • Analyzes challenges in specific contexts, e.g., college admissions.

  2. Expository Thesis Statement

    • Describes and explains certain topics, e.g., typical college life.

  3. Argumentative Thesis Statement

    • Presents arguments and evidence on a claim, e.g., community service before college.

Quote to Reflect On

  • "To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." - Edmund Burke