TEN STEPS TO ADVANCINGCOLLEGE READING SKILLS WEEK 11

FOR EXAMPLE:

REVIEW FINDING THE MAIN IDEA VOCABULARYA topic (the general idea or subject). It can be stated in a sentence or just a few words.A main idea (the controlling point the author is making about the topic). It is often stated in a topic sentence. It usually includes the topic and the authors attitude or opinion about the topic, or the authors approach to the topic.Supporting details are specific ideas to develop, explain, or support the main idea.

REVIEW WHERE MAIN IDEAS ARE FOUND?

It is easy to identify a main idea that is directly expressed in the text. Main ideas are often found at the beginning of paragraphs. The first sentence often explains the subject being discussed in the passage. E.g.:- Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new and serious disease. The disease, first noticed in 2003, developed in China and then spread to North America and Europe. It usually begins with a fever that is higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Other signs may include a headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough, and they may have trouble breathing. SARS has lead to death in some cases.

REVIEW WHERE MAIN IDEAS ARE FOUND?Main ideas are also found in the concluding sentences of a paragraph. The main idea can be expressed as a summation of the information in the paragraph as well as a link to the information in the next paragraph.

Fourteen-year-old Laura Cantrell thought she was being a good friend when she lied for fifteen-year-old Rebecca Anderson. Rebecca told Laura that her parents were trying to control her life because they wouldnt let her date Sam Larson, who was 27 years old. Rebecca begged Laura to help her come up with a way to get out of the house so she could be with Sam one more time to say goodbye. So Laura covered for her by telling Rebeccas parents that Rebecca was spending the night with her. That night, Rebecca ran away from home. By the time the truth was discovered, Rebecca and Sam had vanished without a trace. Laura felt shocked, horrified, and betrayed. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson struggled with grief, guilt, and fear. A lie that seems harmless can have devastating results.

REVIEW WHERE MAIN IDEAS ARE FOUND?Main Ideas are found in the middle of the paragraph:

Ice cream reigns as a rich, delicious treat enjoyed by the majority of Americans. Many myths exist about the origin of this concoction of sugar and ice. The three most common myths include an explorer and two members of royalty. One popular legend has the famous explorer Marco Polo bringing water ices from China to Italy. Another myth claims that Catherine de Medici of Florence took her sorbet recipes with her when she married Henry II and became Queen of France in 1533. The third most popular myth credits Charles I of England with a formula for frozen milk he bought from a French chef in the 17th century.

Main Ideas can also be found broken up between the beginning and the end.

REVIEW WHERE MAIN IDEAS ARE FOUND? Using art as a form of therapy calls for a level of concentration that allows a person to relieve the pain of mental or emotional stress. Art therapy is not limited to painting or drawing but can include dance, photography, music, writing, or any other form of art. The main goal is self expression. It allows a person to use visual means to explore feelings and emotions, to make the unseen seen, to discover how the mind works. Art therapy does not require artistic ability, nor does it demand high artistic products. Indeed, art therapy focuses on the process, not the product. Art is therapy, art heals.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS AND THE CENTRAL POINTAn implied main idea is only suggested; it is not clearly stated in one sentence.To figure out an implied main idea, we must look at the supporting details. A selection consisting of several paragraphs or more has an overall main idea called the central point or thesis.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS Who or what is the paragraph about? (What is the topic?) What is the main point the author is trying to make about the topic? To find the main idea when it is not directly stated, we must ask the same questions weve already used to find main ideas: Does all or most of the material in the paragraph support this idea? When we think we know the main point, we can test it by asking this question:

IMPLIED MAIN IDEA Fear drains color from our faces, makes our teeth chatter, our hearts pound, our breath quicken, and our knees knock. Fear churns our stomachs, raises goose bumps, and causes jitters. Fear also raises feelings of anxiety and distrust, and may even cause us to change our behaviors. Obsessive fear can become a phobia that keeps us from enjoying life. First: Who/What?A Phobias keep us from enjoying life.Second: Supporting DetailsB Fear affects us in several ways.Third: Infer or ConcludeC Fear is the result of distrust and anxiety.D Fear affects many people.

Green tea has been used for thousands of years in Asia as both a beverage and an herbal medicine. This herbal tea contains catechin, which is a type of tannin that acts as an astringent. Research suggests that men and women in Japan who drink five to six cups of green tea each day have much lower rates of cancer than people who do not. Green tea is also thought to lower cholesterol and blood sugar, control high blood pressure, stop tooth decay, and fight viruses. Green tea has even been credited with the power to slow down the aging process.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAFirst: Who/What?Second: Supporting DetailsThird: Infer or ConcludeA Green tea is an ancient herbal drink.B Green tea has caught the attention of medical researchers.C Green tea has many positive properties as a health drink.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS Slashing their swords wildly, swordfish swim through schools of fish, trying to slice as many as possible; then they feast. When hooked by fishermen, they have been known to fight nonstop for three or four hours. They have pulled some fishermen to their deaths, and if they are not clubbed senseless when captured, they will slash fishermen on deck. A puncture wound by a swordfish bill means a severe and nearly instantaneous infection. Their sword, which is a bony extension of the upper jaw, is deadly sharp on the sides and can grow to a length of four or five feet. It is a weapon backed up by five hundred pounds of sleek, muscular fish. Swordfish have even been known to attack boats, driving their swords right through the hull and at times sinking them. Read the paragraph below. Then answer the question. The topic of the paragraph is swordfish. Choose the point the author is trying to make about swordfish. A.Swordfish will attack entire schools of fish. Swordfish will fight for hours when hooked and have even pulled some fishermen to their deaths. C.A swordfish bill can cause severe infections and even sink a boat. D.Swordfish are aggressive, dangerous fish.

What is the topic of the paragraph? A. Writers block C. The writing process B. Writing and talking D. Rereading your writing

All writers get bogged down now and then. Accept the fact that sooner or later writers block will happen to you. When it does, one response is to try to write somethingno matter how awkward or imprecise it may seem. Just jot a reminder to yourself in the margin (Fix this, Redo, or Ugh!) to fine-tune the section later. Another way to deal with a writing snag is leave a blank spacea spot for the right words when they finally come to mind at a later time. Then move on to an easier section, see if you can write that, and then return to the challenging part. It may also help to reread to yourself or out loud what youve already written. Regaining a sense of the large context may be enough to overcome writers block. You might also try talking your way through a troublesome section. Like most people, you probably speak more easily than you write; by speaking aloud, you tap this oral fluency and put it to work in your writing.Read the paragraph below. Then answer the question. IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS

All writers get bogged down now and then. Accept the fact that sooner or later writers block will happen to you. When it does, one response is to try to write somethingno matter how awkward or imprecise it may seem. Just jot a reminder to yourself in the margin (Fix this, Redo, or Ugh!) to fine-tune the section later. Another way to deal with a writing snag is leave a blank spacea spot for the right words when they finally come to mind at a later time. Then move on to an easier section, see if you can write that, and then return to the challenging part. It may also help to reread to yourself or out loud what youve already written. Regaining a sense of the large context may be enough to overcome writers block. You might also try talking your way through a troublesome section. Like most people, you probably speak more easily than you write; by speaking aloud, you tap this oral fluency and put it to work in your writing.IMPLIED MAIN IDEASThe topic is referred to directly or indirectly in several sentences. Explanation What is the topic of the paragraph? A.Writers block C.The writing process B.Writing and talking D.Rereading your writing

A.Writing is not easy. B.There are various ways to deal with writers block. C.Talking about what you are trying to write may help you break out of a writing snag. D.Write easier sections of the paper first and come back later to a harder section. All writers get bogged down now and then. Accept the fact that sooner or later writers block will happen to you. When it does, one response is to try to write somethingno matter how awkward or imprecise it may seem. Just jot a reminder to yourself in the margin (Fix this, Redo, or Ugh!) to fine-tune the section later. Another way to deal with a writing snag is leave a blank spacea spot for the right words when they finally come to mind at a later time. Then move on to an easier section, see if you can write that, and then return to the challenging part. It may also help to reread to yourself or out loud what youve already written. Regaining a sense of the large context may be enough to overcome writers block. You might also try talking your way through a troublesome section. Like most people, you probably speak more easily than you write; by speaking aloud, you tap this oral fluency and put it to work in your writing.IMPLIED MAIN IDEASWhich statement best expresses the main idea of the paragraph?

IMPLIED MAIN IDEASB is the correct answer. All of the supporting details in the paragraph are about ways to deal with writers block. Choice A is too broad. Choices C and D are too narrow. Each refers to only one specific way to deal with writers block. A.Writing is not easy. B.There are various ways to deal with writers block. C.Talking about what you are trying to write may help you break out of a writing snag. D.Write easier sections of the paper first and come back later to a harder section.

Hints for identifying the topic and main idea: Remember to look for repeated words. Mark major supporting details. Major details are often signaled by addition words. IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS one to begin with alsofurtherfirst (of all)for one thingin addition furthermoresecond(ly)othernextlast (of all)third(ly)anothermoreoverfinal(ly)Addition Words

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each others verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words. What is the topic of the paragraph?

Read the paragraph below. Then answer the question.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each others verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words. What is the topic of the paragraph?Nonverbal messages

IMPLIED MAIN IDEAS Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each others verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words. What is the implied main idea of the paragraph?Read the paragraph again. Then answer the question.

IMPLIED MAIN IDEASAll three major details in the paragraph describe advantages that nonverbal messages have over verbal messages. Note that two of the major details are signaled by addition words. Nonverbal messages are more emotionally powerful than verbal ones. Nonverbal behaviors tell people about our emotional state. When we want to convey how we feel about someone, language often fails us. Nonverbal messages are also more universal than verbal ones. Members of different linguistic groups must spend a lot of time and effort to learn each others verbal codes, but they can communicate instantly by smiling or wrinkling their faces in disgust. Some researchers have shown a number of emotions to be expressed in the same way by members of different cultural groups. Last, nonverbal messages are more continuous and natural than spoken language. Because gestures and body movements flow into one another without obvious beginnings and endings, they seem to be a more natural part of our existence than words. What is the implied main idea of the paragraph?Nonverbal messages have several advantages over verbal ones. Explanation

CENTRAL POINTS Just as a paragraph has a main idea, a longer selection has a central idea. The central idea is also called the central point or thesis.

CENTRAL POINTS You can find the central point of a longer selection the same way you find the main idea in a paragraphby looking for the topic and by considering the supporting material. The central point, or thesis, may be either stated or implied.

IN THIS SESSION YOU LEARNED THE FOLLOWING:

At times authors imply, or suggest, a main idea without stating it clearly in one sentence. In such cases, you must figure out that main idea by considering the supporting details. To find central pointswhich may be stated or impliedin longer reading selections, you must again look closely at the supporting material.

*****************See pages 139 and 140 in textbook.ANSWER: Nonverbal messages have several advantages over verbal ones. The next slide explains the answer. ****