Reading Strategies

Reading from a genre-based approach

Iván Flórez​Center for Multiliteracies​ School of Languages​ Universidad de Antioquia ​ August 03, 2023

Agenda

1. Review of reading strategies

2. Reading from a genre-based approach

2.1 Text type, purpose and structure

2.2 Signposts

2.3 Text connectives

2.4 Lexical chains

3. Reading activity

READING STRATEGIES

Previewing

Skimming

Using graphic organizers

Scanning

Taking notes

PREVIEWING

1A

SKIMMING

1B

SCANNING

1C

TAKING NOTES

1D

USING GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

1E

OTHER READING STRATEGIES

Activating background knowledge

Rereading passages/sections

Paraphrasing

Making inferences

Summarizing

Reading from a Genre-based Approach

1. Anticipate text type, purpose, and structure

2. Identify signposts

PARAGRAPH OPENER

TEXT OPENER

+Info

+Info

3. Check text connectives

+Info

Genres and text connectives

BACK

4. Identify lexical chains

+Info

Lexical devices

Repetition

Synonyms / Contrasts

Class/Subclass and Whole/Part relations

example

example

example

example

reading ACTIVITY

1) Divide the class in two groups to read a text.

• Group 1 will use common reading strategies (previewing, skimming, scanning, taking notes, and so on).
• Group 2 will use genre-based strategies (anticipating text type, purpose and structure; identifying signposts; checking text connectives; and identifying lexical chains).

2) Share our understanding of the text. 3) Discuss what we have learned.

References

Butt, D., Fahey, R., Feez, S., Spinks, S., & Yallop, C. (2000). Using functional grammar: An explorer’s guide. Macquarie University. Derewianka, B. (2004). Exploring how texts work. Primary English Teaching Association. Derewianka, B. & Jones, P. (2016). Teaching language in context. Oxford University Press. Dreyfus, S. J., Humphrey, S., Mahboob, A., & Martin, J. R. (2016). Genre pedagogy in higher education: The SLATE project. Palgrave McMillan. Humphrey, S., Love, K., & Droga, L. (2011). Working grammar: An introduction for secondary English teachers. Pearson.

Martin, J. R., & Rose, D. (2007). Working with discourse: Meaning beyond the clause. Continuum. Thompson, G. (2014). Introducing functional grammar. Routledge. Zadina, J. N., Smilkstein, R., & Daiek, D. (2013). College reading: The science and strategies of expert readers. Cengage Learning.

Web site

Website

(604) 219-8792​

Main Library, basement (Campus Medellin)

c.multiliteracidades@udea.edu.co​

TAKING NOTES

• Writing down notes on the text margins or on a piece of paper
• Highlighting or underlining information (key words or phrases)

Using graphic organizers

Creating a visual representation of the text organization and the relationships between concepts.

PREVIEWING

Looking over your reading material before you thoroughly read it, looking for specific things to mentally prepare yourself to read.

• Title
• Introduction
• Headings and subheadings
• Visuals
• Chapter summary

SKIMMING

Reading through quickly, skipping details, and focusing on the title, the introduction, headings, subheadings, and summary. If these resources are not available, skim the first sentence of every paragraph.

Function

• To indicate the main idea of the paragraph

• To link back to the overall topic of the text
• To predict how the paragraph will unfold.

• What challenges do you mainly face when reading?

• What do you do to overcome such challenges?

Paragraph openers and Genres

Recount

Exposition

• To introduce a new event

• To link back to previous events

• To introduce a new argument

• To link back to the overarching argument or thesis of the writer

SCANNING

Rapidly looking through a text to find specific information or details

Function

To provide an overview of the text, foreshadowing its organization and often signaling the main themes or ideas