Scanning Reading

A.  Definition of Scanning

Scanning is a reading skill used to locate key or specific information quickly, eg dates, numbers, examples & definitions. When you read the newspaper, you're probably not reading it word-by-word, instead you're scanning the text. You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases. Scanning is also used when you first find a resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you've scanned the document, you might go back and skim it.

B. Why scan?

Ø In simple material : to find particular names, facts, words, numbers, and specific information

Ø In less simple material : to find services, data, resources, when exact wording is not available

Ø In complex material : to visualize and follow an argument, style, reasons, motifs, patterns, support for inference, evidence of sound logic/ reasoning, evidence of faulty reasoning, propaganda, and/or bias

Ø On the web :  Scanning is a method often employed to sift through the plethora of information available on the web.

C. Types of materials appropriate for scanning:

Ø Simple : lists, dictionaries, white pages, tables, signs, classified ads

Ø Less simple : yellow pages, reference works, tables of contents, indices (indexes), web pages

Ø Complex : continuous prose - documents, articles, books, long descriptions

D. Steps for scanning

Ø Look for key words, or words that are repeated.

Ø Look for definitions.

Ø Look for highlighted words, eg words in bold or italic.

Ø Look for numbers, eg dates and statistics.

Ø Look for examples, including diagrams.

Here's an example of scanning for specific information: Try this scanning exercise.

READ MORE → Scanning Reading

Descriptive Text

  A. Definition of Descriptive Text

  Descriptive Text is a text which describe what a person , place or a thing is like. 

  B. The Generic Structure of Descriptive Text 

  1. Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described. 

  2. Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

  C. The Language Feature of Descriptive Text 

  1. Using attributive and identifying process. 

  2. Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group. 

  3. Using simple present tense

  D. Example of Descriptive Text

My Cat Gregory

    Gregory is my beautiful gray Persian cat. He walks with pride and grace, performing a dance of disdain as he slowly lifts and lowers each paw with the delicacy of a ballet dancer. His pride, however, does not extend to his appearance, for he spends most of his time indoors watching television and growing fat.

    He enjoys TV commercials, especially those for Meow Mix and 9 Lives. His familiarity with cat food commercials has led him to reject generic brands of cat food in favor of only the most expensive brands.

    Gregory is as finicky about visitors as he is about what he eats, befriending some and repelling others. He may snuggle up against your ankle, begging to be petted, or he may imitate a skunk and stain your favorite trousers. Gregory does not do this to establish his territory, as many cat experts think, but to humiliate me because he is jealous of my friends.

    After my guests have fled, I look at the old fleabag snoozing and smiling to himself in front of the television set, and I have to forgive him for his obnoxious, but endearing, habits.

READ MORE → Descriptive Text

Procedure Text

A.  Definition of Procedure Text

A Procedure is a piece of text that gives us instructions for doing something through a sequence of actions or steps.

B.  Purpose :

To describes how something is done through a sequence of the order or steps. Procedure helps us do a task or make something.

C. Some Examples of Procedure Texts :

a. Recipes

b. Instruction Manuals

c. Direction

d. Itineraries

D. Generic structure :

a. Goal/title (the final purpose of doing the instruction)

b. Material and equipment needed (ingredients, utensils, equipment     to do the  instruction)

c. Steps (a set of instructions to achieve the final purpose)

E. Language features :

·      Use of simple present tense, often imperative

     e.g.: (cut, don’t mix, etc)

·      Use of action verbs

     e.g.: (put, mix, etc)

·      Use mainly of temporal conjunctions (or numbering to indicate sequence)

READ MORE → Procedure Text