Reading Skills for Success - IELI China Courses

Reading Skills for Success

A Guide to Academic TextsThomas A. Upton

The University of Michigan Press

Sentence TypesMaking your writing your comprehensible

Simple Sentencessubject + verb + something.Dogs eat dog food.She came to class late.

(subject + subject) + verb + something.Dogs and cats eat meat.John and Mary came to class late.

(subject) + (verb + verb) + something.Dogs eat and sleep a lot.John took and passed the test.

subject + verb + something.

Dogs eat dog food.She came to class late.

(subject + subject) + verb + something.

Dogs and cats eat meat.John and Mary came to class late.

(subject) + (verb + verb) + something.

Dogs eat and sleep a lot.John took and passed the test.

(subject + subject) + (verb + verb) + something.

Dogs and cats eat and sleep a lot.John and Mary took and passed the test.

Simple Sentences

Compound Sentences

(simple sentence) + + (simple sentence)

Mary came to class late, but Robert came early.

andbutfornororsoyet

in facthowever

Coordinatingconjunctions

Complex Sentences

(independent clause) + + (dependent clause)

whenwhilebeforeaftersince

becauseetc.

Subordinatingconjunctions

She carries an umbrella when it rains.

Most common subordinating conjunctionsafter how tillalthough ifunlessasinasmuchuntilas ifin order that

whenas long as lest wheneveras much asnow thatwhereas soon asprovided (that)whereveras though

sincewhilebecauseso thatbeforethaneven if thateven thoughthough

Common subordinating conjunctions

Dependent clause + independent clause

She carries an umbrella when it rains.She is carrying an umbrella because it is raining.

A dependent clause REQUIRES an independent clause

When it rains, she carries an umbrella.Because it is raining, she is carrying an umbrella.

Independent clause + Dependent clause

Success means different things to different people.

What kind of sentence?

Success means different things to different people.

[Success means different things to different people.]

What kind of sentence?

Success means different things to different people.

[Success means different things to different people.]

Simple √CompoundComplex

What kind of sentence?

There is no single accurate definition because individuals, families, and cultures have their own ideas about success.

What kind of sentence?

There is no single accurate definition because individuals, families, and cultures have their own ideas about success.

[There is no single accurate definition (because individuals, families, and cultures have their own ideas about success).]

What kind of sentence?

There is no single accurate definition because individuals, families, and cultures have their own ideas about success.

[There is no single accurate definition (because individuals, families, and cultures have their own ideas about success).]

Simple CompoundComplex √

What kind of sentence?

Some may value success with relationships, academics, careers, or money.

What kind of sentence?

Some may value success with relationships, academics, careers, or money.

Some may value success with relationships, academics, careers, or money.

What kind of sentence?

Some may value success with relationships, academics, careers, or money.

Some may value success with relationships, academics, careers, or money.

Simple √CompoundComplex

What kind of sentence?

Others may feel successful when they serve other people, or when they achieve wisdom or understanding.

What kind of sentence?

Others may feel successful when they serve other people, or when they achieve wisdom or understanding.

[Others may feel successful (when they serve other people,) or (when they achieve wisdom or understanding).]

What kind of sentence?

Others may feel successful when they serve other people, or when they achieve wisdom or understanding.

[Others may feel successful (when they serve other people,) or (when they achieve wisdom or understanding).]

Simple CompoundComplex √

What kind of sentence?

While some may think of success as being defined by awards, prizes, and advancements, others see it defined by the individual.

What kind of sentence?

While some may think of success as being defined by awards, prizes, and advancements, others see it defined by the individual.

[(While some may think of success as being defined by awards, prizes, and advancements,) others see it defined by the individual.]

What kind of sentence?

While some may think of success as being defined by awards, prizes, and advancements, others see it defined by the individual.

[(While some may think of success as being defined by awards, prizes, and advancements,) others see it defined by the individual.]

Simple CompoundComplex √

What kind of sentence?

I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings.

What kind of sentence?

I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings.

[I must admit (that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings).]

What kind of sentence?

I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings.

[I must admit (that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings).]

Simple CompoundComplex √

What kind of sentence?

I do not care for socially recognizable success.

What kind of sentence?

I do not care for socially recognizable success.

[I do not care for socially recognizable success.]

What kind of sentence?

I do not care for socially recognizable success.

[I do not care for socially recognizable success.]

Simple √CompoundComplex

What kind of sentence?

The meeting was a success; we agreed upon everything.

What kind of sentence?

The meeting was a success; we agreed upon everything.

[ The meeting was a success;] [we agreed upon everything.]

What kind of sentence?

The meeting was a success; we agreed upon everything.

[ The meeting was a success;] [we agreed upon everything.]

Simple Compound √Complex

What kind of sentence?

Group Work

Simple sentence

Compound sentence

Complex

Write three different kinds of sentences on the same topic:

Write your group’s three sentences on the board.

S + V + something

S + V + something, and S + V + something

S + V + something { } S + V + somethingwhilebeforeafter

when

thatbecause

1.

2.

3.

Logical Connectorsand the relationships they express

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

subsequentlymeanwhileeventuallyat presentnowfirstat firstfirst of alloriginallyto start withthennextafter thatlaterfinallylastlyin the endat lastso far

by the timeasat the timeoncewhenwhileafterbeforeduringuntilas son asas / so long aswhenevernot thatevery time (that)up to the time (that)

in case ofregardless

Time

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

otherwise either … or even ifprovidedprovided thatwhetherwhether or notifif … thenunlessin case

in case ofregardless of

Condition

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

moreoveras a matter of factas wellalsoin additiontoofurthermorebesideswhat is morein factcertainlyactuallyabove allindeed

not only … but alsoand neithernorboth … andand

in additionbesidesnot to mention

besidesin addition

Addition

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

in particularas an example (e.g.,)for examplefor instanceto illustrate

—:

such aslike

Example

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

in other wordsthat is (i.e.,)

—:

Clarification

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

similarlyin the same waylikewise

As … as likeComparison

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

on the other handeven soneverthelessin spite of stillalternativelynonethelesshoweveron the other handin contraston the contraryadmittedly

eitherbutyet

whereaswhiledespite the fact thatregardless ofalthoughthougheven thoughin spite of the fact that-er /more/less than

in contrast tounlikeinstead ofdifferent from

Contrast

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

with this in mindfor this purpose

for asin thatinasmuch asas long asbecausesincenow thatin view of the fact thatdue to the fact thatso thatin order thatin order to

in view ofas a result ofbecause ofon account ofdue tofor

Cause

Reason

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

accordinglyconsequentlyas a resultthereforethushence

sooror else

Effect

Sentence conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

to start within the second placefirstfirst of allin the first placeto begin withnextthensecondlyfinallyto concludelastlyin conclusioneventuallysoonso far

and afterwhenbeforeS

equence

Sentence conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

Prepositions

all in allin summaryto summarizeoverallbrieflyin shortas has been mentionedas has been said

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

Fast food such as hamburgers does not appeal to me.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

Fast food such as hamburgers does not appeal to me.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

As much as I like you, I like Mary even more.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

As much as I like you, I like Mary even more.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

By the time she was 18 years old, she had formed her own technology company.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

By the time she was 18 years old, she had formed her own technology company.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I have faith in Mary. In other words, I think she can do the job well.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I have faith in Mary. In other words, I think she can do the job well.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

While students on campus can walk to class, others have to take a bus or drive.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

While students on campus can walk to class, others have to take a bus or drive.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I was not a good student in high school in that I never studied very much.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I was not a good student in high school in that I never studied very much.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I hope it doesn’t rain; otherwise, we won’t be able to have the picnic.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I hope it doesn’t rain; otherwise, we won’t be able to have the picnic.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

Besides textbooks, we also have to buy pens, pencils, and other supplies.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

Besides textbooks, we also have to buy pens, pencils, and other supplies.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I followed by teacher’s advice to study harder; consequently, my grades improved a lot.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

I followed by teacher’s advice to study harder; consequently, my grades improved a lot.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

He didn’t accomplish everything he had hoped, but overall he was a pretty good leader.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

He didn’t accomplish everything he had hoped, but overall he was a pretty good leader.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

She drove until she was very tired. When she got home, she lay on the sofa and slept like a log.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary

1. Identify the connector. 2. Determine the relationship indicated by the connector.

Time

She drove until she was very tired. When she got home, she lay on the sofa and slept like a log.

Condition

Addition

Example

Clarification

Comparison

Contrast

Cause / Reason

Effect

Sequence

Summary