This document discusses different types of academic and non-academic texts as well as reading techniques. It defines academic texts as being critical, objective, specialized, and based on facts. It also describes three common structures for academic texts: argumentative/thesis, problem-solution, and report structures. The document outlines four main reading techniques - skimming, scanning, intensive reading, and extensive reading - and provides examples and tips for how to effectively use each technique.

2. WHAT WE READ
– content and style of academic
texts
HOW WE READ
– what readers of academic texts are
expected to do

3. ACADEMIC
TEXTS
Academic texts are:
Critical
Objective
Specialized texts
-written by professionals or
experts in a particular field
• formal language
• formal style
• tone
• They are based on facts.

4. Academic texts
• well-focused,
• concise,
• clear,
• accurate,
• well structured.
• based on factual information and evidence,
• free from repetition, exaggeration, rhetorical
questions and contractions
• always in the third person point of view.
Non-Academic Texts
• Less formal (may idioms, slangs,
contractions)
• Casual language
• Use any point of view
• Opinion-based
• Free of rigid structures
• On general topics

5. Types of
Academic
Texts
Essays
Textbooks
Theses
Case studies
Reports
Research articles

6. How to
Write an
Academic
Text
•Introduction to the
topic
•Place the topic in a
context
•Background information
•Aim of the text
•Method to fulfil the
aim
•The thesis statement or
research question
•Findings
•Necessity and the
importance of the topic

7. Identifying Structure of
Academic Texts

8. Majority of reading that undergraduates
do falls into 3 categories:
1. An argumentative/thesis
structure
2. A problem-solution structure
3. A report structure

9. Argumentative Text/Thesis
Structure
• Persuades the reader to accept a
point of view, an opinion or
perhaps a new truth
• Three-part essay structure
• IMRD Structure

11. Three-part Essay Structure
A standard format for analytical and
argumentative essays is the three-
part essay structure consisting of
introduction, body and conclusion.

12. Three-part Essay Structure
INTRODUCTION
•Provides the reader with a clear idea
of the focus and aim of the text.
•Often accompanied by a thesis
statement (the claim that the writer
wishes to make)

13. Three-part Essay Structure
BODY
•main section of the essay
•argument, ideas and results are
developed and discussed.
•relates back to the introduction

14. Three-part Essay Structure
Conclusion
•last part of the essay
•should not contain any new facts and
ideas
•a brief restatements of facts and
ideas

15. IMRD Structure
(Introduction-Method-Results-
Discussion)
•Body of the text includes Method
and Results
•Has a slightly different format than
the conclusion of a three-part essay

16. IMRD STRUCTURE
I INTRODUCTION What question
(problem) was studied?
M METHODS How was the problem
studied?
R RESULTS What are the findings?
D DISCUSSION What do these findings
mean?

17. Problem-Solution Text
• Presents an argument and
attempts to persuade the reader
that the solutions presented are
workable and worth
implementing.
•It often answers the question,
‘Why?’.

20. Several students receive poor grades on writing
assignments, not because they lack the ability to
communicate, but because they can not seem to
manage their time when it comes to a large project.
They do not know where to begin, and therefore put
things off until the last minute. To solve this problem,
students need to develop a timeline for completing
the project if they divide the assignment into
manageable “chunks” or parts and then set a
schedule for completing each part, they will be able
to finish the entire project before the deadline.

21. Report Structure
•A report is not an argument but
may still be biased if all the facts
are not presented.
•Must have a credible source

23. Reading Techniques

24. Four Main Types of Reading Techniques
•Skimming
•Scanning
•Extensive Reading
•Intensive Reading

25. A. Skimming
• Gist reading
• To know what text is all about at its most basic
level
• Comprehension is very low and understanding
of overall content is very superficial.
Example:
Searching a name in a telephone directory.

26. How can you improve your
skimming technique?
1. Do a minimal preview of length, title,
subtitle, publication information, visual
aids and difficulty level.
2. Read selectively for main ideas.
3. Time yourself and keep correct mindset.
4. Vary your rate.

27. How can you improve your
skimming technique?
1. Practice
2. Check Comprehension
3. Skim Regularly and Often

28. Why Skim?
1. Improves other reading rates
2. Keeps you informed
3. Speeds up supplementary
assignments
4. Increases your source of reference
5. Bring useful material to your
attention

29. Skim the following job advertisements:
1. Needed: Full time secretary position.
Applicants should have at least 2 years
experience and be able to type 60 words
a minute. No computer skills required.
Apply in person at United Business Ltd.,
17 Browning Street.

31. Skim the following job advertisements:
2. Are you looking for a part time job?
We require 3 part time shop assistants to
work during the evening. No experience
required, applicants should be between
18 and 26. Call 366-76564 for more
information.

33. Skim the following job advertisements:
3. Computer trained secretaries: Do you
have experience working with
computers? Would you like full time
position working with computers? If your
answer is yes, give us a call at 344-5487.

35. Skim the following job advertisements:
4. Teacher Needed: Tommy’s
Kindergarten needs 2 teacher/trainers to
help with classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Applicants should have appropriate
licenses. For more information visit
Tommy’s Kindergarten in Leicester Square
No. 56.

37. Skim the following job advertisements:
5. Part time work available: We are
looking for retired adults who would like
to work part time at the weekend.
Responsibilities include answering the
telephone and giving customers
information. For more information
contact us by calling #6.

39. Skim the following job advertisements:
6. University positions open: The University
of Cumberland is looking for 4 teaching
assistants to help with homework correction.
Applicants should have a degree in one of
the following: Political Science, Religion,
Economics or History. Please contact the
University of Cumberland for more
information.

40. Which position is best for these people?
A. Jane Madison. Jane is recently retired
and is looking for a part time job. She
would like to work with people and
enjoys public relation work.
The best job for Jane is ____________.

41. Which position is best for these people?
A. Jack Anderson. Jack graduated from
the University of Trent with a degree in
Economics two years ago. He would
like to have an academic position.
The best job for Jack is ____________.

42. Which position is best for these people?
A. Margaret Lilian. Margaret is 21 years old
and would like a part time position to help
her pay her university expenses. She can
only work in the evenings.
The best job for Margaret is ____________.

43. Which position is best for these people?
A. Alice Fingelhamm. Alice was trained as a
secretary and has six years of experience.
She is an excellent typist but does not
know how to use a computer. She is
looking for a full time position.
The best job for Alice is ____________.

44. Which position is best for these people?
A. Peter Florian. Peter went to business
school and studied computer and
secretarial skills. He is looking for his first
job and would like a full time position.
The best job for Peter is ____________.

45. Which position is best for these people?
A. Vincent san George. Vincent loves
working with children and has an
education license from the city of
Birmingham. He would like to work with
young children.
The best job for Vincent is ____________.

46. B. Scanning
•Scanning is reading a text quickly in order to find
specific information, e.g. figures or names.
•Involves getting your eyes to quickly scuttle
across sentence and is used to get just a simple
piece of information.
Example:
Picture yourself visiting a historical city, guide
book in hand.

47. The material you scan is typically arranged in the
following ways:
•Alphabetical – information is arranged in order from
A-Z.
•Chronological – information is arranged in time or
numerical order.
•Non-alphabetical – television listing
•Category – listings of like items such as an auto parts
catalog.
•Textual – information is located within the written
paragraphs of texts, as in an encyclopedia entry.

48. How to scan?
•Use your hands or fingers.
•Use your peripheral vision.
•Keep key words in mind.

49. The material you scan is typically arranged in the
following ways:
•Alphabetical – information is arranged in order from
A-Z.
•Chronological – information is arranged in time or
numerical order.
•Non-alphabetical – television listing
•Category – listings of like items such as an auto parts
catalog.
•Textual – information is located within the written
paragraphs of texts, as in an encyclopedia entry.

50. 1. What can you save
from shopping at this
place?
2. How many good
reasons are there for
shopping there?
3. What is the
telephone number?
4. What can you earn
with Argos?
5. What are the names
of the catering firm?
6. How long does the
offer last?
EARN 100’S of $$$’S
with
KINGSWAY PARK
ST. ANNE STREET
LIVERPOOL L3 3JA
Tel. 0151 – 207 - 3698
VOUCHERS
NO. 1
WHERE IT MATTERS
BESTWAY
C A T E R I N G
FOR 3 WEEKS

51. C. INTENSIVE READING
•Reading for a high degree of comprehension and
retention over a long period of time.
•“Study” technique for organizing readings which
will have to be understood and remembered.
•Method based on a variety of techniques like
scanning, the surveying techniques of planning
your purpose, and others.

52. PRINCIPLES OF INTENSIVE READING
OVERVIEW:
• surveying or skimming
• reading only the more important parts
PLANNING PURPOSE:
• formalize or clearly state to yourself what you wish to
get from reading
 We need to know:
 Whether emphasis should be placed on ideas,
sequence, specific facts, etc.
 How long we need to retain this information?
 How we use the information?

53. PRINCIPLES OF INTENSIVE READING
QUESTIONS:
• This should be in the same sequence as they appear in
the material.
• Prevents forgetting important question during the
overview.
READING
• To read carefully and thoughtfully.
SUMMARIZING:
• Organizing the ideas and supporting points.
• State in your own words and aloud the points you wish to
remember.

54. PRINCIPLES OF INTENSIVE READING
TESTING:
• Recall rather than just recognize the answers.
• Fill-in-the-blank type of test
• To “set” or “fix” the information more firmly in your mind so that
you can retain it better.

55. C. EXTENSIVE READING
•Involves reading for pleasure.
•Students read very easy, enjoyable
books to build their reading speed and
reading fluency.
•Aim: to help students become better at
the skill of reading rather than reading
to study the language.

56. C. EXTENSIVE READING
Read quickly and
Enjoyably with
Adequate comprehension so they
Don’t need a dictionary

57. C. EXTENSIVE READING is good
for language development
•Allows the students to meet the language in its natural
context and see how it works in extended discourse
•Builds vocabulary
•Build reading speed and reading fluency
•Builds confidence, motivation, enjoyment, and love of
reading
•Allows students to read or listen to a lot of English
•Get a sense of how grammatical patterns work in
context.