Topic One (1.1): Key Reading Skills

The first topic focuses on the different types of reading skills you will need during the course. In particular, it looks at various types of reading that help you to find specific pieces of information from a text, without having to read the whole text.

This topic also introduces you to some of the methods that writers use to create meaning. It shows you how to write about those methods, and how to read them and work out the meaning they create.

Reading

Please start by reading through pages 8 to 23.

The following key areas are covered:

Locating information: skimming
Locating information: scanning
Selecting information
Synthesis
Explicit Meaning

Tasks

Now work through the activities on pages 8 to 23, focussing on one key area at a time. We have added the following resources to support you in each of these areas:

Locating information: skimming

For extra practice on how to skim for information complete the two tasks on the skimming PowerPoint.

COMPLETE - Skimming (PowerPoint) Download COMPLETE - Skimming (PowerPoint)

Locating information: scanning

To help you complete question 2 of the work on locating information, use the worksheet scanning a text to complete the chart.

Try to develop your skills of scanning and skimming. Read all texts around you and practice this skill with a variety of writing which you encounter such as newspapers, leaflets or magazines. Summarise the key points in a bullet point list.

COMPLETE – Scanning a Text (Worksheet) Download COMPLETE – Scanning a Text (Worksheet)

CHECK – Scanning a Text (Answers) Download CHECK – Scanning a Text (Answers)

Selecting information

To help you complete question 2 of the work on selecting information, read through the PowerPoint selecting information which discusses the sample answers. There is also another extension task you can complete, and you can check your answers on the final slide. There is also a PowerPoint Answers to question 5 to help you check your answer on the final question.

READ – Selecting Information (PowerPoint) Download READ – Selecting Information (PowerPoint)

CHECK – Selecting Information (Answers to Question 5) (PowerPoint) Download CHECK – Selecting Information (Answers to Question 5) (PowerPoint)

Synthesis

To help you complete questions 2 and 3 of the work on synthesis, use the worksheet selecting information to synthesise. You have a copy of the text for question 2, so you can underline or highlight the key information. This is a useful way to select information quickly and you can use this technique in the exam.

COMPLETE - Selecting Information to Synthesise (Worksheet) Download COMPLETE - Selecting Information to Synthesise (Worksheet)