• Reading – a cognitive process of decoding • Using Connotation and Denotation

symbols to derive meaning from a text. o Connotation – positive, negative or neutral

feelings, attitudes, ideas or associations with a
Reading Theories
word.
• Traditional o Denotation – the basic, precise, literal meaning
o From book to mind of the word that can be found in a dictionary.
o Bottom-up (Nunan)
Claim
o Outside – in (McCarthy)
• The central argument or thesis statement of the
o Top down
text. This claim is what the writer tries to prove in
• Cognitive the text by providing details, explanations and
o From mind other types of evidence.
o Background knowledge
• Characteristics:
• Meta-cognitive o Argumentative and debatable
o Going beyond the text (applying) o Specific and focused
o Interesting and engaging
• John Loche – blank since birth (tabularasa)
o Logical
Reading Strategies • Types:
• Previewing o Claim of fact – it state a quantifiable assertion
o Looking at the readily visible parts of the text, or measurable topic. They assert that something
like titles and subtitles, and also visuals and has existed, exists or will exist based on the data.
graphs, pictures and graphs. They rely on reliable sources or systematic
o It helps to familiarize with the contents of the procedures to be validated.
selection and focus on the important information o Claim of Values – consists of arguments about
of the text. moral, philosophical or aesthetic.
• Skimming o Claim of Policy – specific actions should be
o Look for the main point of the reading and chosen as solution to a particular problem.(It
identify the ideas that develop it. begin with “should”, “ought to”, or must”).
o It means physically moving your eyes rapidly
along the page and tracing your finger along the ❖ Explicit – clearly stated, clear, obvious
lines of the text to speed up your reading. ❖ Implicit – not directly stated
❖ Inference - act or process of using clues or
• Scanning evidence to draw a conclusion.
o Looking for specific information. ❖ Context – social, cultural, political, historical,
o You do not have to read every word; you just and other related circumstances the text.
read until you locate the details you are ❖ Intertextuality – the modeling of a text’s
searching for. meaning by another text.
• Using context clues ❖ Hypertext – nonlinear way of showing
o Synonyms –similar to the unknown word. It information.
follows the words: “like” or “as”.
Assertions
o Antonyms – opposite meaning. (“although”, • Declarative sentences that claim something is true
“but”, “despite”, “instead”, “in contrast”, about something else. It is a sentence that is either
“unlike”, “however”, “even though”, “on the true or false.
contrary”, and “conversely.”
• Types:
o Examples – specific details in the text that are
o Fact - a statement that can be proven objectively
used to clarify the meaning of the word.
by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses,
o Explanations and definitions – may be given verified observations or the results of research.
as clues to describe an unknown term.
o Convention – a way in which something is
(“because”, “that is” for explanation, “is”,
done, similar to tradition and norms.
“means”, “is defined”, and “Refers to” are used
with definitions.) o Opinions – based on facts, but are difficult to
objectively verify because of the uncertainty of
o Situations – a word is used can also be helpful
producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
in determining the meaning of the word.
 o Preference – based on personal choice; they are o Topic sentence – it tells the reader the main
subjective and cannot be objectively proven or idea of your paragraph. It reveals what you
logically attacked. generally plan to propose, argue, or explain.
• Formulating Counterclaims: o Supporting details – this is needed to elaborate
o Counterclaims – claims made to rebut a on the topic sentence. It may range from facts,
previous claim. They provide a contrasting examples, or instances.
perspective to the main argument.
• Making your paragraph effective:
• Determining Textual Evidence o Unity – all of the sentences in the paragraph are
o Evidence – details given by the author to related to the topic sentence.
support his/her claim. It is crucial in swaying the o Adequate Development – the topic sentence in
reader to your side. the paragraph should be elaborated on using
concrete evidence, different examples, relevant
Critical Reading/ Readers facts and specific details.
• Whenever you read something, you evaluate
claims, seek definitions, judge information, o Coherence – the sentences are arranged in a
demand proof and question assumptions. logical manner, making them easily understood
by the reader.
• Why you should read critically?
o Reading critically means you are thinking Vocabulary
critically. 1. Unfathomable – not fully understood
o You do not simply accept the message on the 2. Limerence – state of being infatuated with another
page. You bring to your reading your own person.
experience and perspective. 3. Flabbergast – to make someone speechless with
o By reading critically, you find the author’s view amazement or cause great surprise.
on something, ask questions, evaluate the 4. Luminous – a light that can be seen in the dark
strengths and weaknesses of the author’s 5. Serendipity – luck of finding valuable things that
argument, and decide to agree or disagree with are not expected.
it. 6. Selcouth – weird/unique
• A critical reader is analytical, observant, 7. Ineffable – too great or extreme to be expressed or
inquisitive, persistent and objective. described.
8. Veracity – quality of being truthful or honest
Outline 9. Euphenism – a mild or pleasant word or phrase
• It is a summary that gives the essential feature of a that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or
text. offensive.
10. Totalitarian – dictatorial, centralized and
• Reading outline – is used to get the main idea of requires complete relating to a system of
a text that is already written. It helps you to government that subservience to the state.
understand the text’s structure more critically. 11. Unrequited – not shared or returned of someone
• Writing outline – is a skeletal version of your else.
essay. It is used to organize your ideas and usually 12. Oaf - a stupid or awkward person
done before you write the first draft of you essay. 13. Evocative – bringing thoughts, memories,
feelings into the mind.
• Scratch outline – a simple list of ideas that take 14. Lookism – construction of standard for beauty
the form of words and phrases. and attractiveness and judgements.
• Sentence outline – uses sentences to define the 15. Chicanery – actions or statements that trick
subject matter. people to believe something.
16. Vibrant – bright colors
• Topic outline – lists words or phrases. It arranges 17. Oblivion – state of being unremembered or not
your ideas hierarchically. though about any more.
18. Melliflous – sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.
Paragraph 19. Melophile – the one who loves music
• A group of sentences that deals with one particular 20. Eccedentesiast – someone who hides pain
idea. It is defined by the point that they support, behind a smile.
the controlling idea. 21. Astrophile – a person who loves starts and
space
• Parts:
22. Ardor – a strong feeling of love, energy and
eagerness.
23. Bequile – to lead by deception
24. Megrim – depression; low spirit
25. Torment – severe physical or mental suffering
26. Enigmatic – mysterious
27. Wordsmith – a person who works with words
28. Syzygy – an alignment of celestial bodies
29. Knavery – rascality, mischievous act
30. Evanesce – to dissipate like vapor
31. Indelible – impossible to remove or forget
32. Burlesque – to imitate in numerous manner
33. Inkling – a slight certain idea about something
34. Tarantism – the uncontrollable urge to dance
35. Catchy – enjoyable when first heard and
difficult to forget
36. Groove - dancing to music
37. Cynophilist – dog fancier
38. Candor – quality of being open
39. Query – a question for information
40. Eccentric – displaying different behavior
41. Gadabout – a person who travel often to many
places especially for pleasure
42. Plutophile – someone who loves photography
and light
43. Piquant – having a pleasantly sharp taste or
appetizing flavor
44. Desolated – feeling or showing misery.
45. Crony – a close friend or companion