Unit 1 intro to academic discourse reading
- 1. Intro to Academic Discourse Week 1 – Overview of an Encyclopedia article
- 2. Reading Encyclopedias Encyclopedia – “a reference tool; a book or set of books containing articles on many different topics, usually arranged in alphabetical order.” (pg. 2) Encyclopedias: ❖Do not generally cover a topic as deeply as a textbook would, nor are they as up to date as a periodical aritcle. ❖Their value lies in the range of background information they can provide in which they typically define topics, classify them, describe them, exemplify them and provide a historical perspective. ❖Because they are a source of factual information, they have to give clear, unbiased information.
- 3. Reading Encyclopedias Important features of good encyclopedias: ❖A table of contents, glossaries and indexes are used to help you quickly locate the information you are looking for. ❖Material is well researched and often written by an expert or a team of experts ❖Information will generally have an informative title, headings, and subheadings ❖Typographical help with specific terms such as boldface or italics ❖Lists for easy access of information or related topics ❖The style of writing is simple, clear with topic sentences in every paragraph ❖Summaries, reference lists and related articles or links to related web sites are often included to assist the reader.
- 4. Using Encyclopedias with Lectures ▪ Coordinate reading with attending lectures so that the one reinforces the other. ▪ A careful reading about a topic before attending the lecture – lectures will be much more meaningful ▪ Several readings of the information and notes may be necessary and helpful. ▪ Spend some time on the different sections – or follow related links and other resources to extend your knowledge search. ▪ Seek to understand the information, not to memorize it. ▪ Course outlines specify which chapters/sections and topics are to be discussed in which lectures – helps to devise plan of study which coordinates reading about the topics and before you attend lectures.
- 5. Reading an Encyclopedia (or other Academic Textbooks) ▪ All reading exercises in Engl 101 can be done using a simple two- step procedure. ▪ Single exposure to complex information is usually insufficient for the material to be understood. Two-step approach to reading of difficult subject matter will bring better results. Two steps: 1. overview 2. close study
- 6. Reading Encyclopedia articles… Overview Close Study • Ask yourself what you already know about the topic • Skim the article looking for main ideas, important secondary ideas, the article structure, any helpful features (typography, web links, bibliography, sidebars with additional info). • Scan the article for special names • Read the introduction and conclusion or summary. • Read the text closely for specific details. (“active” reading) • re-read and take notes • Ask yourself questions and make connections with previous knowledge and learning making • Look up new words you think are important. • Explore the given links or related topics.
- 7. Assignment 1 Chapter Overview Overview questions on pg. 4 of Unit 1. (questions (1-19) ▪ Type your answers in Microsoft word. ▪ Include your name and details on top the left corner of your paper: Name ENGL-101 Section # Date ▪ Type the assignment # on the top right corner: Assignment 1 ▪ Type a title (centered) on the top line: Chapter Overview ▪ When you are finished, save your work and go to the class website: bit.ly/englbnc. Click on the link that says” Homework Assignments” and open Assignment 1. You will see a link where you will need to upload your assignment. ▪ Assignment 1 is DUE on Monday, 25 September 2017.