Academic

Reading
Strategies
 What is Academic
Reading?
Academic Reading is defined as
reading with a specifically academic
and educational purpose.
What is Academic Reading?

Academic Reading includes reading

more traditional books, dictionaries,
encyclopedias, and journal articles.
Shannon has to make dinner. He goes to
the store and walks through every aisle.
He decides to make spaghetti, so he
revisits aisles and reads many packages
thoroughly before deciding which
groceries to buy. Once he arrives home, he
finds a recipe for spaghetti, but needs to
go back to the store for ingredients he
forgot.
Taylor also has to make dinner. He
wants lots of carbohydrates because
he’s running a marathon soon so he
decides to make spaghetti. After
checking some recipes, he makes a list
of ingredients. At the grocery store, he
skims aisles to find his ingredients and
chooses products that meet his diet.
 Strategies
Differ from reader to reader
Before deciding which strategies, try to
ask yourself these information:

“Why am I reading?”
“What am I reading?”
 Purposes of Reading
To scan for specific information
To skim to get an overview of the
text
To relate new content to existing
knowledge
 Purposes of Reading
To write something (often depends
on a prompt)
To critique an argument
To learn something for general
comprehension
Seven (7) Steps to
Improve Your
Reading
 7 Steps to Improve Your Reading
1.Skimming
2.Predicting
3.Scanning
4.Identifying Main Ideas
5.Identifying Supporing Ideas
6.Vocabulary Check
7.Summarizing
 SCANNING
• -is for the act of searching for
specific information in a text
format. For example, if you want
to know the meaning of the word
 SCANNING
• Find keywords, symbols, names,
statistics in a text
• Focus on small parts of the text
• Avoid reading every word
• Underline or circle important
information
 SCANNING
• Scanning is reading a text quickly in order
to find specific information, e.g. figures or
names. It can be contrasted
with skimming, which is reading quickly
to get a general idea of meaning.
 EXAMPLES OF SCANNING
1. To search for a word in a dictionary or index
2. To find a phone number or an address in a
directory
3. To check the time schedule of a program in an
agenda
4. To check the price of a specific item in a catalog
5. To know a particular information from a text
 SKIMMING
 Skimming is a strategic, selective reading
method in which you focus on the main
ideas of a text
 closely reading every word, focus on the
introduction, chapter summaries, first and last
sentences of paragraphs, bold words, and text
features
 SKIMMING
 Reading a text very quickly
By Skimming:
• Identify the topic of the text
• Identify the main idea(s) of
the text
• Identify the genre of the text
 SKIMMING
Skimming Involves looking at:
• The title
• Any headings
• An abstract or summary
• Introduction and conclusion
• Thesis statement and topic sentence
 SKIMMING
Skimming Involves looking at:
• The title
• Any headings
• An abstract or summary
• Introduction and conclusion
• Thesis statement and topic sentence
 EXAMPLES SKIMMING
1. To see what is in the news on a website or on a paper
2. To look through a text to decide whether you want to
read it or not
3. To look through the television guide/program
schedule to plan your evening
4. To see through a catalog to choose an offer
5. To go through the options after searching something
on Google
 Skimming Methods
Beginnings & endings: Read first and
last sentences of paragraphs, first and
last paragraphs of major sections, and
introductions and summaries of
chapters.
Things to focus on while skimming skimming:

Introduction and conclusion

Chapter/section summaries
First and last sentences
Titles, subtitles, and headings
Bold words
Charts, graphs, or pictures
End of chapter review questions
 PREDICTING
• Use existing knowledge about a
topic
• Think about what you can learn
from the text
• Decide on its usefulness
Yes or No: The Guide to Better Decisions by Spencer
Johnson. A young man goes on a hiking trip.
During the hike, the group of hikers reflects on how
to improve their decision-making skills. The “Yes or
No” system reminds the readers to focus on needs
instead of wants. Focusing on the needs helps create
better options and see the possible consequences of
actions.
IDENTIFYI
NG MAIN
IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
• The main idea is the big
point or the most important
idea that the writer is
communicating to the reader
 Read this short paragraph:
Engineers create wealth for society. So,
tennis is a game and the resources of the
earth are scarce. Have you gone to mad?
Thus the only solution is to educate the
public on being socially responsible.

DOES THIS MAKE SENSE???

 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
• Main idea is like the heart of the
text or a paragraph.
• It is the controlling idea.
• All the other supporting details in
the text or within the paragraph
should tell us more about the main
idea.
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
Homeless
Homelesspeople
people have many problems. In
winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too
hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things
safe without a home. Worst is the lack of
privacy
WHAT IS THE TOPIC OF THE
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
Homelesspeople
Homeless peoplehave
havemany
manyproblems.
problems. In
winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too
hat in summer. It’s also hard to keep things
safe without a home. Worst is the lack of
privacy
WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
“Samantha, I can’t eat or sleep when you are
gone. I need to hear your soothing voice and
see your lovely smile. I miss that special way
you sing. Please come home soon.”

WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?

 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
“Swimming is one thing that can be done at the
beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be
enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot
of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some
people simply like to sunbathe.”

WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?

 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
Maria
Maria offered to help her mother clean the
house. She vacuumed the living room and
dusted the furniture. She picked up the toys
in the playroom. She ate a ham sandwich for
lunch. Then, she mopped the kitchen floor.
What is the topic of the paragraph?
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
Maria
Mariaoffered
offered to help her
to help hermother
motherclean
clean
thethe house
house.
She vacuumed the living room and dusted the
furniture. She picked up the toys in the playroom.
She ate a ham sandwich for lunch. Then, she
mopped the kitchen floor.
What is the main idea?
The Statue
Statue of
ofLiberty
Liberty is visited by
thousands of people every year. The
Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot statue of
woman holding a book and a torch. It was
a gift of friendship from the people of
France. It has become the universal
symbol for freedom.
What is the topic of the paragraph?
The
TheStatue
Statueofof
Liberty is visited
Liberty by by
is visited
thousands
thousandsofofpeople
peopleevery
everyyear
year. The
Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot statue of
woman holding a book and a torch. It was
a gift of friendship from the people of
France. It has become the universal
symbol for freedom.
What is the the main idea?
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
• Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West
Beach. It is a beach with light- colored, soft
sand. The coastline goes on for a long way and
many people enjoy walking along it. Children
like to play in the surf and walk along the rocks
that are visible at low tide. This is a fun beach
for people of all ages. 
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
• The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the
summer of 1995. It is an exciting story about space
exploration. In the movie, the astronauts get in
trouble while they are trying to return to Earth.
People in the audience are on the edge of their seats
waiting to see what happens. What makes it
even more exciting is that it is a true story. 
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they
want to do for the rest of their lives. It is a big decision.
There are a number of things you can do to narrow the
choices. For example you can take an interest test, do some
research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in
the field in which you are interested, or “job-shadow”, in
which you spend a day with a person who is working in a
field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas as
you begin to choose a career. 
 IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEA
The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat.
Because of this, a real variety of restaurants has come about
specializing in all kinds of foods. McDonald’s is the king of a
subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no
matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you.
There are even McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Now McDonald’s is
trying something new. It is called McDonald’s Express and there is a
test site in Peabody, Massachusetts. It is part of a Mobil gas station.
This allows you to fill up with gas and fill up on food
IDENTIFYING SUPPORTING IDEAS

• Different from main ideas

• Look out for evidence and
examples
 Supporting Details
• The supporting details are the things
that describe the main idea.
• These supporting details make the main
idea stronger.
 IDENTIFYING SUPPORTING IDEAS

• Supporting Details provide

information to clarify, prove, or
explain the main idea. These
details demonstrate the validity of
the main idea
 Main Idea: I like
apples (for the
Example: I really like apples.
They are sweet, crisp, and juicy
following reasons).
and just filling enough to take Major Detail: They
the edge off my appetite. When are crisp, juicy, and
I eat apples, I also think of the
vitamins and minerals they
filling.
contain, and the fiber they Major Detail: They
supply to keep me healthy. provide healthy
vitamins, minerals,
and fiber 46
 SUPPORTING DETAILS
Homeless people have many problems.
In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it
gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to
keep things safe without a home. Worst
is the lack of privacy
 Supporting Ideas:
Maria offered to help her mother clean the
house. She vacuumed the living room and
dusted the furniture. She picked up the
toys in the playroom. She ate a ham
sandwich for lunch. Then, she mopped the
kitchen floor.
 Supporting Ideas:
“Winter provides the opportunity for many
outdoor activities. Many people enjoy ice
skating on a pond. Swimming in the pond in
summer can also be fun. Skiing can be a
thrilling experience too. After a new snowfall,
you can even build a snowman!”
People in my family love our dog Punch. 2 However, I have several reasons for
wanting to get rid of Punch. 3 First of all, he knows I don’t like him. 4
Sometimes he gives me an evil look and curls his top lip back to show me
his teeth. 5 The message is clearly, “Someday I’m going to bite you.” 6
Another reason to get rid of Punch is he sheds everywhere. 7 Every surface
in our house is covered with Punch hair. 8 I spend more time brushing it off
my clothes than I do mowing the lawn. 9 Last of all, Punch is an early riser,
while (on weekends) I am not. 10He will start barking and whining to go
outside at 7 a.m., and it’s my job to take care of him. 11When I told my
family that I had a list of good reasons for getting rid of Punch, they said
they would make up a list of reasons to get rid of me
Being a celebrity is often difficult. 2 First of all, celebrities have
to look almost perfect all the time. 3 There’s always a
photographer ready to take an unflattering picture of a famous
person looking dumpy in old clothes. 4 Celebrities also
sacrifice their private lives. 5 Their personal struggles,
divorces, or family tragedies all end up as front-page news. 6
Last, and most frightening of all, celebrities are in constant
danger of the wrong kind of attention. 7 Threatening letters
and even physical attacks from crazy fans are things a
celebrity must contend with.
People lie for different reasons. 2 One common reason is to avoid
hurting someone’s feelings. 3 For example, a friend might ask,
“Do you like my new haircut?“ 4 If you think it’s ugly, you
might still answer, “Yes.” 5 Another common reason for lying is
to avoid a fight. 6 Say a friend angers you and then asks, “Are
you upset with me?” 7 You might answer, “No,” to avoid an
argument. 8 People also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you
listen to a boring person and politely say, “That’s interesting.” 9
In addition, people lie to avoid spending more time with
someone. 10For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.”
 Some extra Hints
- The supporting details in a sentence or a
paragraph MIGHT begin with some of the
following words: for example, for instance, in
addition, another, in fact, furthermore,
moreover, therefore, as a result, consequently,
first, second, third, next, then, last, finally,
etc…
Neighborhood watch
Neighborhood watch programs
programs are good for everyone. One reason
for this is that neighborhood watches unite neighbors in a common
goal. Neighbors work together to protect each other. One family’s
security becomes everyone’s concern. Another reason is that
neighborhood watches reduce crime in a couple of ways. Posted
signs act as deterrents to criminals. Neighbors in these areas are
more likely to report any suspicious persons or activities. And
finally, watch programs keep neighbors alert. Because neighbors
meet regularly, everyone is more aware of events, rules, or
changes in the community
 Vocabulary Attack
• Maintain a vocabulary list
• Record word forms, definitions
and make a sentence using the
word you’ve just learnt
 Vocabulary Attack

• Try and use new words

within the first week of
learning
 Summarizing
• Summarize in your own
words
• Compare ideas with a
classmate