Breaking Through: College Reading , 8/e by Brenda Smith

What is a Detail? • Details develop, explain, and prove the main idea. • Details are facts, descriptions, and reasons that make the material interesting. • Details answer questions and paint visual images. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Levels of Importance • Usually the general topic is stated first, followed by subcategories of details, which may be further subdivided into specific examples. • An outline or diagram can help you see this. • Example: • Types of Trees • Conifers • Pine • Spruce ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Distinguishing Major and Minor Details Ask yourself: • What details are needed to explain or prove the main idea? [major] • What details are included just to make the passage more interesting? [minor] ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Primary Support (major) first second last in addition Secondary Support (minor) for example to illustrate Transitional Words To Signal Levels of Importance ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Following Directions • All details become of equal importance. • Read step by step, word by word and phrase by phrase. • Consult any diagram with the directions. • Read aloud if necessary. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Simple Listing: randomly listing items in a series. The items are of equal value Signal words: • also • another • several • for example • in addition ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Classification: dividing items into groups or categories Signal words: • groups • categories • four elements • five classes • parts • two divisions ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Definitions with Examples: initially defining a concept and expanding with examples and restatements Signal words: • for example • in this case • to illustrate • can be defined Mark your text by circling or underlining the terms. Or take notes or make flashcards. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Description: listing characteristics or details • Look for a list of defining details. • Mark your text and underline key words. • Signal words: • is • like • could be described ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

first second finally after before next later now at last until when (dates) Patterns of Organization Time Order, Sequence, or Narration: listing events in order of occurrence Signal words: Mark your text! Take notes! ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Comparison: listing similarities among items Signal words: • in a similar way • similar • parallels • likewise • in a like manner ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Contrast: listing differences among items Signal words: • on the other hand • bigger than • but • however • on the contrary • although • nevertheless ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

on that account thus made therefore because for this reason consequently hence Patterns of Organization: Cause and Effect: Showing one element as producing or causing a result or effect Signal words: ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Addition: providing additional Information Signal words: • further, furthermore • moreover • besides • likewise • again • also ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

beside around to the right/left opposite to without within next to near below above close by within adjacent Patterns of Organization Location/Spatial Order: identifying the whereabouts of objects Signal words: ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Patterns of Organization Summary: condensing major points Signal words: • in conclusion • briefly • to sum up • in short • in a nutshell ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Points • What is a detail? • How do you distinguish between major and minor details? • What is a simple listing pattern? • What is a classification pattern? ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Points • What is a definition with examples pattern? • What is a chronological or sequence pattern? • What is a comparison or contrast pattern? • What is a cause-and-effect pattern? ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Reading and Studying Criminal Justice • Identify criminal acts in legal terms and make lists to remember them. • Distinguish between types of crimes and criminals, making charts to distinguish them. • Make timelines for legal processes. • Make flowcharts for court processes. • Relate legal decisions and actions to democratic freedoms. ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Selecting Magazines • Read the lead article headlines and table of contents. • Flip through the magazine and read article titles and boxed article excerpts. • Read several “Letters to the Editor.” • Decide, purchase, and enjoy! ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers

Breaking Through: College Reading , 8/e by Brenda Smith