How To be a Good Reader?

Sir Kalifatullah Ermaya ST MM

Understand the difference between point and support• A good reader looks for an author's point and the support for that point.

The point of a paragraph or reading selection is also known as the main idea. The terms "point" and "main idea" mean the same thing.

• Point = an idea or opinion.• Support = the evidence that backs up this opinion. • A good reader x-rays a reading selection by asking, "What is the point (main

idea)?• What is the support for the point (main idea)?

Which is the point? Which is the support?

Which is the point? Which is the support?

Which is the point? Which is the support?

Point & Support in a Paragraph(which’s the point & the support?)

Point & Support in a Paragraph(which’s the point & the support?)

Supporting Details

• Supporting details are reasons, examples, facts, steps, or other kinds of evidence that explain a main idea. A skilled reader is one who looks for the main idea or point of a selection as well as the support for that main idea. • Ask yourself, "What is the point of a selection?" as well as "What

support is offered for the point?" Then use outlining and mapping as ways to set off clearly the main idea and its support. • The very act of outlining or mapping helps you deepen your

understanding of a selection.

Which are the supporting details?

Which are the supporting details?

Addition Words

• One, • For One Thing, • In Addition, • First of all, • Another, • Last, • Second, • Also, • Finally.

Outline

• An outline is made up of a main idea followed by a numbered list of the key supporting details.

A Helpful Outlining Tip: Look For List Words:• Several Kinds of.• A few reasons.• A series of.• Four steps.• Several Advantages.• Various causes.• A number of effects.• Three Factors.• Among the Results.

Maps

• Maps are highly visual outlines that use circles, boxes or other shapes to set off a main idea and its supporting details.

Summarize

• Recognizing the main idea is the most important key to good comprehension. The main idea is a general “umbrella” idea under which fits all the specific supporting material of the passage.

• Three strategies that will help you find the main idea are to 1) look for general versus specific ideas; 2) use the topic (the general subject of a selection) to lead you to the main idea; 3) use clue words to lead you to the main idea.

• The main idea often appears at the beginning of a paragraph, though it may appear elsewhere in the paragraph.