Title: CM1190 Technical Reading
1CM1190 Technical Reading
CM 1190
- Units 1 4
- Student Materials Booklet
2Introduction to CM 1190
- This technical reading course contains 4 units
- Thinking about Reading
- Understanding Technical and Academic Texts
- Summarizing Technical and Academic Texts
- Examining and Evaluating Evidence
3Unit 1
CM 1190
4Introduction to Unit 1
- Unit 1 will discuss
- Setting goals
- Reading purposes
- Characteristics of technical and academic texts
- The reading process
- Building vocabulary
5Introduction and Setting Goals
CM 1190
6Setting Goals
- Setting goals means
- Imagining specific things one would like to
accomplish at a future date. - For example, a runner may set a training goal to
improve his or her fastest time. - To successfully achieve your goal you must focus
on what you must do.
7Setting Study Goals
- Being effective means
- Getting the job done correctly.
- Getting the job done on time.
- Getting the job done with reasonable effort.
- In order to be an effective student, you must set
specific study goals.
8Setting Study Goals
- Setting study goals means
- Identifying specific skills an individual student
must attain to improve their overall skills. - For example
- I want to improve my math skills so I can be a
better engineering student. - I need to use my time more productively.
9Setting Study Goals
- What are some study goals you might set for
yourself - In a basic chemistry course?
- In a basic communications course?
- In an introductory engineering course?
- Is it difficult to come up with examples? Why or
why not?
10Using Engineering Logbooks
- An engineering logbook is a personal and
professional reference about project learning and
results. - You will encounter as many logbook formats as
there are individual instructors/companies. - High performing engineers use logbooks to
- Monitor and control where they invest their time.
- Learn and apply the best practices in their
profession - Regularly take time to learn from their successes
and failures.
11What Goes in a Logbook?
- Sketches
- Class notes
- Meeting notes
- Ideas in progress
- Sources of ideas
- Design reviews
- Design process
- Project reflection
- Project objectives
- Action items
- Math calculations
- Design alternatives
- Research findings
- Evaluation of data
- Decision criteria
- Rationale for decisions
- Professional development
- Customer needs
12Logbook Procedures
- Record the date for each entry.
- Label each entry and record this in the table of
contents (reserve 3-4 pages at the start). - Use ink. Do not erase. Delete an entry by neatly
drawing a single line through it. - Do not remove pages, and do not skip pages.
- Avoid backfilling. If you realize later that you
left something out, keep on your actual page and
note that your modification is after-the-fact. - Draw a vertical line ¾s over to the right of
each page. This will be for instructor comments.
Law (2005)
13Our Goal for Next Class
- BUY A LOGBOOK AND BRING IT TO CLASS!
14References
- Law, J. (2008). Engineering Logbooks. Retrieved
June 10, 2009 from http//www.ece.uidaho.edu/ee/po
wer/jlaw/COURSES/CAPSTONE/F05/handouts/Engineering
Logbooks082205.pdf.
15Introduction and Setting Goals
CM 1190
16Reading Purposes
CM 1190
17Reading Purposes
- Think about the last five things you have read
18Reading Purposes
- You may have thought about
- NOVELS
- NEWSPAPERS
- ADVERTISMENTS
- MENUS
- COMIC BOOKS
- DIRECTIONS
- TRAFFIC SIGNS
- INSTRUCTIONS
- INTERNET PAGES
(1)
19Main Reading Purposes
- Reading for literary experience
- Reading to gain information
- Reading to perform a task
20Reading for Literary Experience
- Involves reading literary texts to
- Explore the human condition.
- Relate narrative events with personal experience.
- Consider the interplay in the selection among
emotions, events, and possibilities.
- Type of texts include
- Novels
- Poems
- Short stories
- Historical fiction
- Science fiction
- Mysteries
- Plays
21Reading to Gain Information
- Involves reading informative texts to
- obtain some general or specific information.
- It often requires
- a more purposeful approach to reading.
- use of reading strategies to understand text.
- reading and interpreting graphic aids such as
charts, graphs, maps, and tables.
- Type of texts include
- Newspapers
- Textbooks
- Biographies
- Science articles
- Encyclopedia entries
- Reports
- Letters
- Memos
- E-mails
22Reading to Perform a Task
- Type of texts include
- Directions
- Instructions
- User manuals
- Schedules
- Traffic signs
- Government forms
- Specification sheets
- Recipes
- Involves reading various types of text to apply
information to complete a task. - The readers purpose for gaining meaning extends
beyond understanding the text to include the
accomplishment of a certain activity.
23List of Figures
- Comic http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FileAction1.J
PG, - Sign http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FileSpeedlimi
tsign.jpg, - Menu http//www.hhidining.com/aaa/menus/applebee
s.gif, - Newspaper http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FileNYTi
mes-Page1-11-11-1918.jpg.
24Reading Purposes
CM 1190
25Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
CM 1190
26Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
- Technical and academic texts include
- 1. Definitions for special terms
- 2. Measurements and units
- 3. Efficiency (avoids unnecessary words)
- 4. Graphics (diagrams, charts, graphs)
- 5. Research (indicates how information was
collected and analyzed) - 6. Ethics (allows reader to see all aspects of
situation)
27Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
- Computers are not a particularly forgiving breed.
The wrong key struck or the wrong command entered
is almost sure to avenge itself on the
inattentive user by banishing the document to
some electronic trash can.
Shows opinion uses everyday, informal language
Journalism
On MK950 terminals, the BREAK key is adjacent to
keys used for text editing and special functions.
Too often, users inadvertently strike the BREAK
key, causing the program to quit prematurely. To
prevent the problem, we have modified all
database management terminals.
Detailed, unemotional and uses exact terms
Technical Writing
28Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
29Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
- 1. To inform (most often)
- 2. To instruct
- 3. To persuade (with evidence)
30Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
- Writers inform when they give specific
information about a topic. - Temperature has a significant effect on the
resistance of conductors, semiconductors, and
insulators. Boylestad (2003)
31Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
- Writers instruct when the reader is given a set
of directions for doing something. - A quick method of determining the proper
power of ten is to place a caret mark to the
right of the numeral 1 wherever it may occur
then count from this point to the number of
places to the right or left before arriving at
the decimal point. Boylestad (2003)
32Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
- Writers persuade when they get their reader to
follow a particular course of action using logic
and reasoning. - The growing sensitivity to the technologies on
Wall Street is clear evidence that the
electrical/electronics industry is one that will
have a sweeping impact on future developments in
a wide range of areas that affect our life style,
general health, and capabilities. Boylestad (2003)
33Style of Technical and Academic Texts
- 1. Pyramid Method (Top Down)
- Technical and academic texts present the main
idea first and then provide supporting details. - 2. Headings
- Technical and academic texts list the contents of
each section so the reader knows what comes next. - 3. Text Blocks
- Technical and academic texts break longer texts
into short blocks which are easier to understand.
34Style of Technical and Academic Texts
- 4. Graphics
- Technical and academic texts include tables,
charts, graphs, and diagrams to help readers
understand technical information more easily. - 5. Consistent Visual Logic
- Technical and academic texts present information
in a consistent manner headings and other visual
elements are the same throughout the text.
35Tone in Technical and Academic Texts
- Use third person (avoid personal pronouns) for a
more formal tone. - Show confidence and authority in presenting
knowledge of the subject. - Keep the language simple and appropriate.
36Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
CM 1190
37The Reading Process
CM 1190
38The Reading Process
- There are three steps in the reading process
- Prepare to read.
- Ask and answer questions to enhance your reading.
- Review by rehearsing the answers to your
questions.
39Prepare to Read
- Preview the reading to see what it contains and
how it is organized. - Previewing means examining material to determine
its topic and organization before actually
reading it.
40Prepare to Read
- Previewing steps
- Read the title.
- Read the introduction.
- Read headings and subheadings in each section.
- Read words in italics, bold print, or color.
- Look at all illustrations, charts, and diagrams.
- Read any questions that are included in the
chapter or a study guide. - Read the summary.
41Prepare to Read
- Consider the topics being presented.
- Ask yourself
- What topics does the author seem to be
emphasizing? - How are the topics organized?
42Prepare to Read
- Assess your prior knowledge.
- Ask yourself
- What do I already know about the topic?
- How familiar am I with this topic?
43Prepare to Read
- Plan your reading and study time.
- Ask yourself
- How long will it take me to read this
assignment? - Do I need to divide the assignment into smaller
units?
44Ask and Answer Questions to Enhance Your Reading
- Guide your reading by asking and answering
questions. - Turn chapter headings into questions.
- Create questions based on what the paragraphs or
sections appear to be about. - If the author has included questions, use them.
- Use questions in a study guide, if there is one.
- Use questions given out by the instructor.
45Ask and Answer Questions to Enhance Your Reading
- Read actively
- Look for answers to your questions.
- Record the answers to your questions
- Write the answers on notebook paper or in the
margins (blank space at the side) of the
textbook. - Take notes about the material or make review
cards. - Emphasize the answers by highlighting or
underlining them.
46Review by Rehearsing the Answers to Your Questions
- Review the material and transfer it into
long-term memory by rehearsing - Recite (say aloud) the answers to your questions,
and then review any you missed. - Try to write important points from memory, and
then fill in any missing information.
47The Reading Process
CM 1190
48Building Vocabulary
CM 1190
49Why Build Vocabulary?
- Learning vocabulary is an important part of
learning a new language or field of study. - Knowing more words will increase your ability to
read and understand textbooks, articles,
assignments and exams. -
50The Academic Word List (AWL)
- The AWL is a list of words which appear with high
frequency in English-language academic texts. - You will need to know this vocabulary if you want
to study in an English-speaking college or
university. These are words that you will
frequently see in newspapers, magazines, and
novels, and hear on television, movies or in
conversation. - The AWL is divided into 10 sub-lists.
-
51Exploring the AWL
- Open up the following website www.academicvocabul
aryexercises.com - Go to Sub-list 1
- Review the words in the list. Then try Exercise
1a, 1b, and 1c. How did you do? -
52How to Learn New Vocabulary
- Write the words down in your logbook with their
translations and definitions. - Review your logbook several times a week.
- Test yourself or ask someone to test you.
- Use the words in your own speaking and writing.
53Sample Logbook Entry
Word Meaning Page
context The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. 23
policy a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc. 31
structure mode of building, construction, or organization arrangement of parts, elements, or constituents 45
54Ways to Discover Word Meanings
- Use textbook tools (Unit 2.1)
- Use a dictionary (Unit 2.2)
- Use context clues (Unit 2.3)
- Use word structure clues (Unit 2.4)
55Building Vocabulary
CM 1190
56End of Unit 1
CM 1190