Chapter 1: Strategies for Active Reading Academic Reading, Fifth Edition by Kathleen T. McWhorter

Learning Objectives: To understand how reading contributes to college success To assess your learning style To build your concentration skills To develop multilevel thinking skills To learn to preview and predict before reading To develop questions to guide your reading To check your comprehension

Reading & Academic Success Reading is thinking! View Table 1-1 in your book to determine the difference between an active reader and a passive reader.

Take the Learning Style Questionnaire and see if you are: Auditory Applied Spatial Social Creative Visual Conceptual Verbal Independent Pragmatic

Now interpret your scores from the discussion in the book. Auditory Applied Spatial Social Creative Visual Conceptual Verbal Independent Pragmatic

Building Your Concentration Eliminate Distractions Learn to Focus Your Attention Assess Your Concentration

Eliminating Distractions Choose a place conducive to reading. Notice your physical state (tired? hungry?). Have necessary materials available. Choose your peak periods of attention (evening? day?). Keep a list of distractions and then avoid them.

Focusing Your Attention Set goals. Reread psychology lecture notes - 15 minutes Review chapter 9 in accounting - 30 minutes Read short story for English - 30 minutes Reward yourself (snack, TV, phone call). Begin by reviewing previously read material. Write and underline as you read. Approach assignments critically as an active reader.

Assessing Your Concentration Make a list of common distractions and problems that interfere with your concentration. Next to each item, note how you can overcome it. Discuss any items for which you have no remedy.

Developing Levels of Thinking Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Previewing and Predicting Previewing familiarizes you with the content and organization before you read. Helps you think about the subject Gives a mental outline of the chapter content Predicting questions occurs as you preview.

How to Preview Textbook Assignments Read the chapter title. Read the introduction or the first paragraph. Read each boldface heading. Read the first sentence under each major heading.

How to Preview Textbook Assignments Note any typographical aids. Note any graphic aids. Read the last paragraph or summary. Quickly read any end-of-article or end-of-chapter material.

Previewing Nontextbook Material Pay close attention to the title. Identify the author and source of material. Read the first paragraph carefully. Read the first sentence of each paragraph if there are no headings. Pay close attention to the last paragraph.

Activating Background Knowledge Ask questions, and try to answer them. Draw on your own experience. Brainstorm - Write down everything that comes to mind about the topic. THEN MAKE PREDICTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO KNOW!

Developing Guide Questions Guide questions direct your attention to what is important in each chapter section you are reading. The easiest way to make up guide questions is to turn the chapter title and headings into questions that you try to answer.

Checking Your Comprehension Recognize comprehension signals. (See Table 1-5 for positive and negative signals.) Checking Techniques Use your guide questions. Ask yourself thought-provoking questions. Use internal dialogue. Mentally talk to yourself.

Summary Questions How do you improve your concentration? What is your learning style and how can you capitalize on it? What are the six stages of thinking? Why is previewing important? How do you preview material? How do you make guide questions? What are some comprehension checking techniques?

“Factors Affecting Interpersonal Attraction” by Josh R. Gerow Now read the psychology article and complete the exercises following the article. “Factors Affecting Interpersonal Attraction” by Josh R. Gerow