CM1190 Technical Reading

1
CM1190 Technical Reading
CM 1190

• Units 1 4
• Student Materials Booklet

2
Introduction 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

3
Unit 1
CM 1190

• Thinking About Reading

4
Introduction to Unit 1

• Unit 1 will discuss
• Setting goals
• Reading purposes
• Characteristics of technical and academic texts
• The reading process
• Building vocabulary

5
Introduction and Setting Goals
CM 1190

• Unit 1.1

6
Setting 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.

7
Setting 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.

8
Setting 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.

9
Setting 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?

10
Using 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.

11
What 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

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Logbook 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)
13
Our Goal for Next Class

• BUY A LOGBOOK AND BRING IT TO CLASS!

14
References

• 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.

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Introduction and Setting Goals
CM 1190

• End of Unit 1.1

16
Reading Purposes
CM 1190

• Unit 1.2

17
Reading Purposes

• Think about the last five things you have read

18
Reading Purposes

• You may have thought about
• NOVELS
• NEWSPAPERS
• ADVERTISMENTS
• MENUS
• COMIC BOOKS
• DIRECTIONS
• TRAFFIC SIGNS
• INSTRUCTIONS
• INTERNET PAGES

(1)
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Main Reading Purposes

• Reading for literary experience
• Reading to gain information
• Reading to perform a task

20
Reading 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

21
Reading 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

22
Reading 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.

23
List 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.

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Reading Purposes
CM 1190

• End of Unit 1.2

25
Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
CM 1190

• Unit 1.3

26
Characteristics 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)

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Characteristics 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
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Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
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Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts

• 1. To inform (most often)
• 2. To instruct
• 3. To persuade (with evidence)

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Purposes 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)

31
Purposes 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)

32
Purposes 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)

33
Style 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.

34
Style 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.

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Tone 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.

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Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
CM 1190

• End of Unit 1.3

37
The Reading Process
CM 1190

• Unit 1.4

38
The 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.

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Prepare 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.

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Prepare 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.

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Prepare to Read

• Consider the topics being presented.
• Ask yourself
• What topics does the author seem to be
  emphasizing?
• How are the topics organized?

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Prepare to Read

• Assess your prior knowledge.
• Ask yourself
• What do I already know about the topic?
• How familiar am I with this topic?

43
Prepare 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?

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Ask 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.

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Ask 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.

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Review 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.

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The Reading Process
CM 1190

• End of Unit 1.4

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Building Vocabulary
CM 1190

• Unit 1.5

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Why 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.

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The 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.

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Exploring 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?

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How 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.

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Sample 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
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Ways 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)

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Building Vocabulary
CM 1190

• End of Unit 1.5

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End of Unit 1
CM 1190

• Thinking About Reading