1. Chapter 2: Fundamental Comprehension Skills 212:189 Fall 2011

2. Locating Main Ideas and Supporting Details Finding the main idea Paragraph: a group of related ideas Topic: the common subject or idea Topic Sentence: expresses the main idea Usually the first sentence, but can be found elsewhere Finding implied main ideas What is the one thing the author is discussing throughout the whole paragraph? What does the writer want you to know?

3. The Pattern of Texts

4. Adjusting Rate to Meet Comprehension Assess the difficulty. Assess your familiarity and interest in the subject. Define your purpose for reading. Decide what follow-up activity is required.

5. Reading Selectively Searching for specific information. A high level of comprehension is not needed. Youa re familiar with the text. The material does not match your purpose. The writer’s style allows you to skip information.

6. Chapter 3: Essential Vocabulary Skills 212:189 Fall 2011

7. Techniques Use the new words you have learned. Acquire the necessary tools… Dictionary Subject Dictionary Thesaurus

8. System for Learning Vocabulary Whenever you hear or read a new word, write it down. Write each word on the front of an index card. Write the definition and 3 synonyms and 3 antonyms on the back. Go through them: on the bus, on the plane, in between classes, during commercials. After you have gone through them, separate out known words and set them aside. Use the words often.

9. Types of Context Clues Definition or synonym Often within () or ,, Example clues Contrast clues; antonyms Inference clues

10. Word Parts In most cases, a word is built on a least one root/free morpheme Words can have more than one affix/bound morphemes or roots Two roots: transmit, geology 2 prefixes: insubordination 2 suffixes beautifully Words do not always have both affixes, a prefix and a suffix Neither: read Suffix but no prefix: reading Prefix but no suffix: pre-read Roots may change in spelling as they combine with affixes arid, arable Sometimes a group of letters can be confused as a prefix or affix when it is not. Internal, missile

11. Affixes and Roots Common Prefixes: Pg. 86 Common Roots: Pg. 87 Common Suffixes: pg. 89

12. Using Word Mapping to Expand Your Vocabulary Write the sentence containing the word at the top of the map. Look the word up in the dictionary. Write part of speech Study the entry for other meanings. Find 2 synonyms Analyze for affixes and roots Write it in 2 sentences Include other information: history, idioms, etc. Pg. 93