School of Language Studies and Academics CM1190 Technical Reading Units 1 – 4 Student Materials...
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Transcript of School of Language Studies and Academics CM1190 Technical Reading Units 1 – 4 Student Materials...
School of Language Studies and Academics
CM1190 Technical ReadingUnits 1 – 4
Student Materials Booklet
CM 1190
School of Language Studies and Academics
Introduction to CM 1190
This technical reading course contains 4 units:
1. Thinking about Reading
2. Understanding Technical and Academic Texts
3. Summarizing Technical and Academic Texts
4. Examining and Evaluating Evidence
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Unit 1Thinking About Reading
CM 1190
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Introduction to Unit 1
Unit 1 will discuss:
1. Setting goals
2. Reading purposes
3. Characteristics of technical and academic texts
4. The reading process
5. Building vocabulary
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Introduction and Setting GoalsUnit 1.1
CM 1190
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Setting Goals
Setting goals means: Imagining specific things one would like to
accomplish at a future date. For example, a runner may set a training goal
to improve his or her fastest time.
To successfully achieve your goal you must focus on what you must do.
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Setting Study Goals
Being effective means: Getting the job done correctly. Getting the job done on time. Getting the job done with reasonable effort.
In order to be an effective student, you must set specific study goals.
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Setting Study Goals
Setting study goals means: Identifying specific skills an individual student
must attain to improve their overall skills.
For example: ‘I want to improve my math skills so I can be a better
engineering student.’ ‘I need to use my time more productively.’
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Setting Study Goals
What are some study goals you might set for yourself:
In a basic chemistry course? In a basic communications course? In an introductory engineering course?
Is it difficult to come up with examples? Why or why not?
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Using Engineering Logbooks1. An engineering logbook is a personal and
professional reference about project learning and results.
2. You will encounter as many logbook formats as there are individual instructors/companies.
3. High performing engineers use logbooks to: Monitor and control where they invest their time. Learn and apply the best practices in their profession Regularly take time to learn from their successes and
failures.
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What Goes in a Logbook?
Sketches Class notes Meeting notes Ideas in progress Sources of ideas Design reviews Design process Project reflection Project objectives
Action items Math calculations Design alternatives Research findings Evaluation of data Decision criteria Rationale for decisions Professional development Customer needs
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Logbook Procedures
1. Record the date for each entry.
2. Label each entry and record this in the table of contents (reserve 3-4 pages at the start).
3. Use ink. Do not erase. Delete an entry by neatly drawing a single line through it.
4. Do not remove pages, and do not skip pages.
5. Avoid backfilling. If you realize later that you left something out, keep on your actual page and note that your modification is “after-the-fact”.
6. Draw a vertical line ¾’s over to the right of each page. This will be for instructor comments.
Law (2005)
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Our Goal for Next Class
BUY A LOGBOOK AND BRING IT TO CLASS!
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References
Law, J. (2008). Engineering Logbooks. Retrieved June 10, 2009 from http://www.ece.uidaho.edu/ee/power/jlaw/COURSES/CAPSTONE/F05/handouts/EngineeringLogbooks082205.pdf.
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Introduction and Setting GoalsEnd of Unit 1.1
CM 1190
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Reading PurposesUnit 1.2
CM 1190
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Reading Purposes
Think about the last five things you have read…
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Reading Purposes
You may have thought about:
NOVELS NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISMENTS MENUS COMIC BOOKS DIRECTIONS TRAFFIC SIGNS INSTRUCTIONS INTERNET PAGES
(1)
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Main Reading Purposes
Reading for literary experience
Reading to gain information
Reading to perform a task
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Reading for Literary Experience
Involves reading literary texts to:
Explore the human condition.
Relate narrative events with personal experience.
Consider the interplay in the selection among emotions, events, and possibilities.
Type of texts include: Novels Poems Short stories Historical fiction Science fiction Mysteries Plays
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Reading to Gain Information
Involves reading informative texts to:
obtain some general or specific information.
It often requires: a more purposeful approach
to reading. use of reading strategies to
understand text. reading and interpreting
graphic aids such as charts, graphs, maps, and tables.
Type of texts include: Newspapers Textbooks Biographies Science articles Encyclopedia entries Reports Letters Memos E-mails
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Reading to Perform a Task
Involves reading various types of text to apply information to complete a task.
The reader’s purpose for gaining meaning extends beyond understanding the text to include the accomplishment of a certain activity.
Type of texts include: Directions Instructions User manuals Schedules Traffic signs Government forms Specification sheets Recipes
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List of Figures
1) Comic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Action1.JPG,
Sign: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Speedlimitsign.jpg,
Menu: http://www.hhidining.com/aaa/menus/applebees.gif,
Newspaper: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NYTimes-Page1-11-11-1918.jpg.
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Reading PurposesEnd of Unit 1.2
CM 1190
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Characteristics of Technical and Academic TextsUnit 1.3
CM 1190
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Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
Technical and academic texts include:
1. Definitions for special terms
2. Measurements and units
3. Efficiency (avoids unnecessary words)
4. Graphics (diagrams, charts, graphs)
5. Research (indicates how information was collected and analyzed)
6. Ethics (allows reader to see all aspects of situation)
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Computers are not a particularly forgiving breed. The wrong key struck or the wrong command entered is almost sure to avenge itself on the inattentive user by banishing the document to some electronic trash can.
On MK950 terminals, the BREAK key is adjacent to keys used for text editing and special functions. Too often, users inadvertently strike the BREAK key, causing the program to quit prematurely. To prevent the problem, we have modified all database management terminals.
Shows opinion: uses everyday, informal language
Detailed, unemotional and uses exact terms
Journalism
Technical Writing
Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
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Technical and Academic Text: used by students and professionals to communicate academic, scientific, mechanical, or procedural information.
Narration:
used to tell about events; storytelling that makes the reader feel emotions.
Journalism:
used to inform readers about social events
Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
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Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
1. To inform (most often)
2. To instruct
3. To persuade (with evidence)
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Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
Writers inform when they give specific information about a topic.
Temperature has a significant effect on the resistance of conductors, semiconductors, and insulators. Boylestad (2003)
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Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
Writers instruct when the reader is given a set of directions for doing something.
A quick method of determining the proper power of ten is to place a caret mark to the right of the numeral 1 wherever it may occur; then count from this point to the number of places to the right or left before arriving at the decimal point. Boylestad (2003)
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Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
Writers persuade when they get their reader to follow a particular course of action using logic and reasoning.
The growing sensitivity to the technologies on Wall Street is clear evidence that the electrical/electronics industry is one that will have a sweeping impact on future developments in a wide range of areas that affect our life style, general health, and capabilities. Boylestad (2003)
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Style of Technical and Academic Texts
1. Pyramid Method (Top Down) Technical and academic texts present the main idea first
and then provide supporting details.
2. Headings Technical and academic texts list the contents of each
section so the reader knows what comes next.
3. Text Blocks Technical and academic texts break longer texts into short
blocks which are easier to understand.
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Style of Technical and Academic Texts
4. Graphics Technical and academic texts include tables, charts,
graphs, and diagrams to help readers understand technical information more easily.
5. Consistent Visual Logic Technical and academic texts present information in a
consistent manner; headings and other visual elements are the same throughout the text.
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Tone in Technical and Academic Texts
Use third person (avoid personal pronouns) for a more formal tone.
Show confidence and authority in presenting knowledge of the subject.
Keep the language simple and appropriate.
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Characteristics of Technical and Academic TextsEnd of Unit 1.3
CM 1190
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The Reading ProcessUnit 1.4
CM 1190
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The Reading Process
There are three steps in the reading process:
1. Prepare to read.
2. Ask and answer questions to enhance your reading.
3. Review by rehearsing the answers to your questions.
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Prepare to Read
Preview the reading to see what it contains and how it is organized.
Previewing means examining material to determine its topic and organization before actually reading it.
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Prepare to Read
Previewing steps: Read the title. Read the introduction. Read headings and subheadings in each section. Read words in italics, bold print, or color. Look at all illustrations, charts, and diagrams. Read any questions that are included in the
chapter or a study guide. Read the summary.
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Prepare to Read
Consider the topics being presented.
Ask yourself:
“What topics does the author seem to be emphasizing?”
“How are the topics organized?”
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Prepare to Read
Assess your prior knowledge.
Ask yourself:
“What do I already know about the topic?”
“How familiar am I with this topic?”
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Prepare to Read
Plan your reading and study time.
Ask yourself:
“How long will it take me to read this assignment?”
“Do I need to divide the assignment into smaller units?”
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Ask and Answer Questions to Enhance Your ReadingGuide your reading by asking and answering questions.
Turn chapter headings into questions.
Create questions based on what the paragraphs or
sections appear to be about.
If the author has included questions, use them.
Use questions in a study guide, if there is one.
Use questions given out by the instructor.
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Ask and Answer Questions to Enhance Your Reading
Read actively Look for answers to your questions.
Record the answers to your questions Write the answers on notebook paper or in the
margins (blank space at the side) of the textbook. Take notes about the material or make review cards. Emphasize the answers by highlighting or
underlining them.
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Review by Rehearsing the Answers to Your Questions
Review the material and transfer it into long-term memory by rehearsing
Recite (say aloud) the answers to your questions, and then review any you missed.
Try to write important points from memory, and then fill in any missing information.
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The Reading ProcessEnd of Unit 1.4
CM 1190
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Building VocabularyUnit 1.5
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Why Build Vocabulary?
Learning vocabulary is an important part of learning a new language or field of study.
Knowing more words will increase your ability to read and understand textbooks, articles, assignments and exams.
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The Academic Word List (AWL)
The AWL is a list of words which appear with high frequency in English-language academic texts.
You will need to know this vocabulary if you want to study in an English-speaking college or university. These are words that you will frequently see in newspapers, magazines, and novels, and hear on television, movies or in conversation.
The AWL is divided into 10 sub-lists.
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Exploring the AWL
Open up the following website: www.academicvocabularyexercises.com
Go to ‘Sub-list 1’
Review the words in the list. Then try Exercise 1a, 1b, and 1c. How did you do?
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How to Learn New Vocabulary
Write the words down in your logbook with their translations and definitions.
Review your logbook several times a week.
Test yourself or ask someone to test you.
Use the words in your own speaking and writing.
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Sample Logbook Entry
Word Meaning Page
context The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.
23
policy a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.
31
structure mode of building, construction, or organization; arrangement of parts, elements, or constituents
45
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Ways to Discover Word Meanings
Use textbook tools (Unit 2.1)
Use a dictionary (Unit 2.2)
Use context clues (Unit 2.3)
Use word structure clues (Unit 2.4)
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Building VocabularyEnd of Unit 1.5
CM 1190
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End of Unit 1Thinking About Reading
CM 1190