Upload
necosharp
View
235
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
1/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 1
School of Foreign Languages
Introduction to AcademicEnglish
Sofl 102 (Unit 1) Nov.2010
Inst.Necati KESKN
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
2/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 2
Main Ideas and Supporting Details
The main idea is the most important ideaor point in a text, part of a text, lecture, or part ofa lecture.
A supporting detail is a piece ofinformation that tells us more about the mainidea. Sometimes you will need all the details, soyou will have to read everything. Other times,you will only need the main ideas of a text orlecture. Reading or listening for main ideas onlyis reading or listening for the gist.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
3/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 3
When you read a text or listen to alecture, it is important to notice which
points are main ideas and which aresupporting details. Fortunately, acommon pattern in English can help youdo this. In this pattern, the main idea
usually comes first. Later ideas providesupport for this main idea.
Main Ideas and Supporting Details
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
4/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 4
Main Ideas and Supporting Details
So, a good strategy to find the main idea is tolook for this pattern:
The main idea of a lecture or essay is usually in the
introduction. The supporting details follow, in the bodyparagraphs.
The main idea of a paragraph is usually at or near the
beginning of the paragraph. The supporting ideascome later in the paragraph.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
5/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 5
Main ideas and supporting details
There are many types of supporting ideas. The
most common ones are:
examples
reasons
consequences
solutions to problems
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
6/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 6
Read the paragraph. Underline the sentence that you think isthe author's most important idea or point.
There are some things we know about the brain, and there areother things that are still a big mystery. For one thing, the
physical structures within the brain are quite well known. Wealso know that each structure has at least one function,sometimes more. For example, the front part of the brain, thefrontal lobe, deals with decision making and problem solving.We also know something about the important kind of braincells, the neurons. These are very small but sometimes verylong, up to a meter (around 3 feet). Incredibly, there are 100billion of them in a human brain, and each connects to others:One neuron can connect to up to 10,000 other neurons. As aconsequence of this complexity, we are only at the very earlystages of finding out in detail how the brain works. One reason
for this is that we have only recently developed technology thatcan see deep inside a living brain. New discoveries are beingmade each day. Who knows what we'll find out next week ornext year?
What is the most important idea of this paragraph?
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
7/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 7
Skimming is reading quickly to understand thegeneral meaning of a whole text. One way to skim isto look only for the main ideas.
Here are some strategies to use when skimming:Do:Read the first and last parts of each paragraph.Look at captions, diagrams, and illustrations.
Read the title, headings, and subheadings.Look out forbold, italicized, or underlined words.Keep your eyes moving over the text.
Skimming
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
8/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 8
Don't:Don't use a dictionary.
Don't think about the meaning of difficult words (you
can do that later).Don't read every word.
It is a good idea to skim every text before youread it in detail. This will help you determine what
the text is about and where each main idea is.
Skimming
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
9/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 9
Scanning is reading quickly to find specificinformation, such as words, ideas, numbers,names, places, and dates. Specific
information is often found in the supportingdetails. These could be definitions,examples, and explanations.
As with skimming, you don't read every word
when you scan.
Scanning
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
10/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 10
Here are some strategies to help you scan: Look for capital letters if you are scanning for aplace or a name. Look for numbers if you are looking for answers to
questions about dates, times, etc. Find a key word in the question and search for thekey word, or a synonym of the key word, in the text. Skim the text when you first see it. Then, when you
need to scan, you will know which part of the text tolook at first.
Scanning
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
11/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 11
We were given two ears butonly one mouth. This is
because God knew thatlistening was twice as hard astalking. unknown
Necati Keskin 11
Listening
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
12/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 12Necati Keskin
Listening
Listening, whether done by individuals or bycompanies and government, is a signal ofrespect. When people dont feel listened to, they
dont feel respected. And when they dont feelrespected, they feel anger and resentment.
Hugo Powell
12
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
13/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 13Necati Keskin
Listening Facts
10% =
55% =
35% =
10% is Content; 90% is Intent10% is Content; 90% is Intent10% is Content; 90% is Intent
13
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
14/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 14
People can hear four timesfaster than others can talk,which gives a skilled listenertime to sort matters
Necati Keskin 14
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
15/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 15
Why is it important to listen?
Failure to listen brings unfortunate
results!
Human beings want to expressthemselves, to be heard.
Listening can de-escalate situations.
Necati Keskin 15
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
16/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 16
Listening involves:
communicatingverbally and nonverbally
restatingthe message
observingthe senders nonverbal signals
Necati Keskin 16
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
17/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 17
Why practice listening? Helps us understand others better
Show others we respect them Allows us to receive accurate messages
Enables us to respond appropriately
Necati Keskin 17
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
18/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 18Necati Keskin
Mental Distractions
18
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
19/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 19
Preparing to listen
Before you go to a lecture, it is a good idea to thinkabout what the lecture will be about. If you prepare well,the lecture will be easier to understand. Here are sometips:
Find out what the topic is. Often, your lecturer will tellyou at the end of one lecture what the next lecture will beabout. Also, at the beginning of a semester, manyprofessors give students a course summary, which tellsthem the topics that the course will cover.
Think about what you already know about the topic.Have you read about it in a newspaper? Chatted with afriend about it? What vocabulary about the topic do youknow?
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
20/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 20
Speculate (make guesses) about the topic.What might the teacher say about it?
Find as much information as you can aboutthe topic before you listen. Some teachers willgive you something to read that matches thelecture topic. Alternatively, you can use onlineresources to find some information.
Remember that it's easier to understand
something you know a little about thansomething you know nothing about. And it'seasier to understand a lecture if you've alreadythought a little about the topic
Preparing to listen
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
21/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 21
Getting the Gist
Getting the gist means listening for the mainideas and general information. List for the gistis similar to skimming in reading. When listening
for the gist, don't pay attention to details. Here are some strategies that will help you listen
for the gist of a lecture:
Listen carefully to the introduction. Lecturersoften state the main ideas towards the end of theintroduction.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
22/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 22
Getting the Gist
Listen for signals that mark main ideas:Some of the points we'll cover are . . . In
today's lecture, we will look at. . .
In addition to that, another important pointis . . .
Listen carefully to the end of the lecture.You will often hear a summary ofmain ideas at that time
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
23/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 23
Listening for Supporting Details
We have known that supporting details inwritten English are sometimes marked bylogical connectives and other words, andthat these words often show which kind ofsupporting idea is used. The same is truein listening. So, listen carefully for words
and expressions like for instance andbecause to indicate examples andreasons.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
24/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 24
Listening for Supporting Details
A second strategy to find the supporting detailsis just to use your sense of logic. Sometimes, itis clear that one idea supports another, and
there is no need to mark it with a logicalconnective. For example, if the teachersmentions a researcher, the researcher'suniversity, the date of the research, and the
research result, it is clear that the researchresult is the main idea, and the rest of the
information will be the supporting details.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
25/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 25
If you really want to listen, you
will act like a good listener.Good listeners are like good
catchers because they givetheir speakers a target andthen move that target to
capture the information that isbeing sent.
Necati Keskin 25Active listening
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
26/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 26
Basic Guide to Writing an
Essay
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
27/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 27
What is an Essay?
An essay can have many purposes, but the basicstructure is the same no matter what. You may be writingan essay to argue for a particular point of view or toexplain the steps necessary to complete a task. Eitherway, your essay will have the same basic format. If youfollow a few simple steps, you will find that the essayalmost writes itself. You will be responsible only forsupplying ideas, which are the important part of the
essay anyway.Don't let the thought of putting pen to paper
daunt (scare) you. Get started!
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
28/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 28
Essay Format
These simple steps will guide you through the essay writingprocess:
Decide on your topic. Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas.
Write your thesis statement. Write the body. Write the main points. Write the subpoints. Elaborate on the subpoints. Write the introduction. Write the conclusion. Add the finishing touches.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
29/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 29
Choosing a Topic
You may have no choice as to your topic. If this is the case, you still may not be
ready to jump to the next step.
Think about the type of paper you are expected to produce. Should it be a general
overview, or a specific analysis of the topic? If it should be an overview, then youare probably ready to move to the next step. If it should be a specific analysis,
make sure your topic is fairly specific. If it is too general, you must choose a
narrower subtopic to discuss.
For example, the topic "KENYA" is a general one. If your objective is to
write an overview, this topic is suitable. If your objective is to write a specific
analysis, this topic is too general. You must narrow it to something like "Politics inKenya" or "Kenya's Culture.
Once you have determined that your topic will be suitable, you can move on.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
30/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 30
Organize Your Ideas
The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your ideas
about the topic on paper, in a moderately organized format. The
structure you create here may still change before the essay iscomplete. Decide whether you prefer the cut-and-dried structure of
an outline or a more flowing structure. If you start one or the other
and decide it isn't working for you, you can always switch later.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
31/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 31
Organizing Your Ideas
Breeds
Health Nutrition
Behavior
Grooming
Dogs
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
32/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 32
Writing Your Outline Begin your outline by writing your topic at the top of the page. Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down the
left side of the page. Next to each Roman numeral, write the main ideas that you have
about your topic, or the main points that you want to make. If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best
arguments. If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the
steps that should be followed. You will probably need to groupthese into categories. If you have trouble grouping the stepsinto categories, try using Beginning, Middle, and End.
If you are trying to inform, you want to write the majorcategories into which your information can be divided.
Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down the left side ofthe page.
Next to each letter, write the facts or information that support thatmain idea.
When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essayand are ready to continue.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
33/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 33
Composing a Thesis Statement
The thesis statement tells the reader what theessay will be about, and what point you, theauthor, will be making.
You know what the essay will be about. Thatwas your topic. Now you must look at youroutline or diagram and decide what point you willbe making. What do the main ideas andsupporting ideas that you listed say about yourtopic?
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
34/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 34
Thesis Statements
Your thesis statement will have two parts. The first part states the topic.
Kenya's Culture Building a Model Train Set
Public Transportation The second part states the point of the essay.
has a rich and varied history takes time and patience can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing
problems Once you have formulated a thesis statement
that fits this pattern and with which you arecomfortable, you are ready to continue.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
35/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 35
Writing the Body Paragraphs In the body of the essay, all the preparation up to this pointcomes to fruition. The topic you have chosen must now be
explained, described, or argued. Each main idea that youwrote down in your diagram or outline will become one of thebody paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you willhave three or four body paragraphs. Each body paragraphwill have the same basic structure. Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentence
form. Next, write down each of your supporting points forthat main idea, but leave four or five lines in between eachpoint.
In the space under each point, write down someelaboration for that point. Elaboration can be furtherdescription or explanation or discussion.
Once you have made clear each of your body paragraphs,one for each main point, you are ready to continue.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
36/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 36
Example If your main idea is "reduces freewaycongestion," you might say this:
Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.
Supporting Point:
Commuters appreciate the cost savings of takingpublic transportation rather than driving.
Elaboration Less driving time means less maintenance expense,
such as oil changes. Of course, less driving time means savings on
gasoline as well. In many cases, these savings amount to more than
the cost of riding public transportation.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
37/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 37
Write the Introduction andConclusion
Your essay lacks only two paragraphs now:
the introduction and the conclusion. These
paragraphs will give the reader a point ofentry to and a point of exit from your essay.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
38/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 38
Introduction The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's
attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus. Begin with anattention grabber. The attention grabber you use is up to you, buthere are some ideas: Startling information. This information must be true and
verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to yourreaders. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitly
illustrates the point you wish to make. If you use a piece ofstartling information, follow it with a sentence or two ofelaboration.
Anecdote. An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Besure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to yourtopic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, butuse it carefully.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
39/42
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
40/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 40
Conclusion The conclusion brings closure to the reader,
summing up your points or providing a finalperspective on your topic. All the conclusionneeds is three or four strong sentences which do
not need to follow any set formula. Simplyreview the main points (being careful not torestate them exactly) or briefly describe yourfeelings about the topic. Even an anecdote can
end your essay in a useful way. The introductionand conclusion complete the paragraphs of youressay.
Don't stop just yet! One more step remains
before our essa is trul finished.
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
41/42
8/8/2019 Introduction to Academic 102 1a
42/42
Necati Keskin Sofl 102 Unit 1 42Necati Keskin Active listening 42