Unit 4: Reading Skills

1. Vocabulary Building: Innovative Methods

Vocabulary is the cornerstone of effective communication and reading comprehension. Traditional methods of rote memorization are often inefficient. Innovative methods rely on cognitive science, association, and active usage to embed words in long-term memory.

A. Etymology and Morphology (Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes)

Understanding the building blocks of words allows learners to decode the meaning of unfamiliar terms without a dictionary.

• Roots (The Base): Carry the core meaning.
• Prefixes (The Beginning): Alter the meaning (often indicating negation, direction, or quantity).
• Suffixes (The End): Determine the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective).

Common Morphological Elements Table:

B. The Contextual Clue Method (IDEAS)

Instead of stopping to look up a word, use the surrounding text to infer meaning. The IDEAS acronym helps identify specific types of context clues:

1. I - Inference: Logic based on general knowledge.
2. D - Definition: The author explicitly defines the word immediately after using it.
3. E - Example: The author provides lists or scenarios illustrating the word.
4. A - Antonym: The text provides a contrasting word (look for: however, unlike, but).
5. S - Synonym: The text repeats the idea using a familiar word.

C. Semantic Mapping (Word Webs)

This is a visual method of vocabulary expansion.

• Technique: Place a central concept in the middle of a page (e.g., "Pollution").
• Branching: Draw branches to related words, synonyms, antonyms, and collocations (words that naturally go together).
• Benefit: It builds neural pathways by associating new words with known concepts.

D. Mnemonics and Visualization

• Keyword Method: Associate the sound of the new word with a visual image of a known word.
  • Example: "Curtail" (to cut short). Visualize a "Cat" having its "Tail" cut.
• Acronyms: Creating a word from the first letters of a list of words.

E. Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS)

Based on the "Forgetting Curve," this method involves reviewing words at increasing intervals (1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month).

• Digital Tools: Anki, Quizlet.
• Analog Tool: The Leitner System (using flashcard boxes where correct cards move to a less frequent review box, and incorrect cards return to the daily box).

2. Analogy Questions

Analogy questions test the ability to recognize relationships between words and apply that logic to a new pair of words. The standard format is (A is to B as C is to D).

The "Bridge Sentence" Strategy

The most effective way to solve analogies is to create a specific sentence that defines the relationship between the first pair of words, then apply that exact sentence to the options.

• Example: MASON : WALL
• Bridge Sentence: A mason builds a wall.
• Apply to options:
  • A) Artist : Easel (An artist builds an easel? No.)
  • B) Author : Book (An author builds/creates a book? Yes.)
  • C) Sculptor : Stone (A sculptor builds a stone? No.)

Common Types of Analogies

1. Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonym: BAFLED : CONFUSED :: HAPPY : ELATED
• Antonym: CANDID : DECEPTIVE :: GENEROUS : STINGY

2. Degree (Intensity)

One word is an extreme version of the other.

• Example: DRIZZLE : DOWNPOUR :: WHIMPER : SOB
  • Logic: B is a more intense version of A.

3. Part-to-Whole

One word is a component of the other.

• Example: PAGE : BOOK :: ATOM : MOLECULE
  • Logic: A is a specific part that makes up B.

4. Cause and Effect

One word leads to the other.

• Example: VIRUS : ILLNESS :: CARELESSNESS : ACCIDENT
  • Logic: A causes B.

5. Worker and Tool / Worker and Product

• Tool: SURGEON : SCALPEL :: ASTRONOMER : TELESCOPE
• Product: POET : POEM :: BAKER : BREAD

6. Function/Purpose

What an object is used for.

• Example: KNIFE : CUT :: RULER : MEASURE

7. Classification (Category)

• Example: TIGER : FELINE :: WOLF : CANINE
  • Logic: A is a type of B.

3. Comprehension of General and Technical Articles

Reading comprehension is the ability to process text, understand its meaning, and integrate it with what the reader already knows.

A. The SQ3R Method

A systematic approach to reading academic or complex texts effectively.

1. S - Survey: Scan titles, headings, charts, and the summary to get the "gist."
2. Q - Question: Turn headings into questions (e.g., "Causes of Inflation" "What are the causes of inflation?").
3. R - Read: Read the section to find the answers to your questions.
4. R - Recite: Summarize what you just read in your own words.
5. R - Review: Look over your notes and the text to ensure retention.

B. Reading Techniques: Skimming vs. Scanning

C. General vs. Technical Articles

Successful comprehension requires adjusting your reading strategy based on the type of text.

1. General Articles (Newspapers, Magazines, Blogs)

• Characteristics:
  • Vocabulary: Standard, colloquial, or emotive language.
  • Structure: Often uses the "Inverted Pyramid" (most important info first) or narrative arcs.
  • Tone: Subjective, persuasive, or entertaining.
  • Audience: The general public.
• Comprehension Focus:
  • Identifying the author's opinion or bias.
  • Understanding the narrative flow.
  • Recognizing rhetorical devices.

2. Technical Articles (Scientific Journals, Manuals, Legal Texts)

• Characteristics:
  • Vocabulary: Jargon, specialized terminology, acronyms.
  • Structure: Rigid (Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Conclusion).
  • Tone: Objective, precise, impersonal (often uses passive voice).
  • Audience: Experts or peers in a specific field.
• Comprehension Focus:
  • Precision is key; every word matters.
  • Interpreting data, graphs, and charts.
  • Understanding cause-and-effect relationships and logical processes.

4. Oral Comprehension (Listening Skills)

Oral comprehension involves understanding spoken articles, lectures, or technical presentations. Unlike reading, the listener cannot "re-read" a sentence, making active cognitive processing essential.

A. The Listening Process

1. Hearing: Physiological reception of sound.
2. Filtering: Removing background noise and distractions.
3. Interpreting: Decoding vocabulary and syntax.
4. Evaluating: Critical analysis of the message.
5. Responding: Feedback (or internal synthesis).

B. Strategies for Oral Comprehension

1. Signposting (Discourse Markers)

Listeners must identify "signposts" that indicate the structure of the speech.

• Introduction: "I’m going to talk about..." / "The purpose of this..."
• Sequencing: "Firstly," "Secondly," "Next," "Finally."
• Contrasting: "However," "On the other hand," "Conversely."
• Concluding: "To sum up," "Therefore," "In conclusion."

2. Paralinguistic Cues

Understanding meaning beyond words by observing:

• Tone/Intonation: Indicates sarcasm, emphasis, or question.
• Pace: Slowing down usually signals important technical information.
• Volume: Louder speech emphasizes key points.

3. Note-Taking Systems for Oral Comprehension

• Cornell Method: Divide the page into cues (left), notes (right), and summary (bottom).
• Mind Mapping: Visual connections of ideas as they are spoken.

C. Barriers to Oral Comprehension

• Physical Barriers: Noise, poor audio quality.
• Linguistic Barriers: Accents, rapid speech, unfamiliar jargon.
• Psychological Barriers: Pre-judgment of the speaker, lack of interest, or emotional reaction to the topic.