Glossary
Active Reading
Reading with a specific purpose, engaging with the text by seeking information and understanding, rather than passively consuming words.
Example:
During your literature review, you practice Active Reading by highlighting key arguments and jotting down questions as you go, ensuring you grasp the core concepts.
Annotating
Writing directly on the text itself, including highlighting, underlining, and jotting down notes or questions in the margins.
Example:
While reviewing a peer's research paper, you practice Annotating by circling unclear phrases and writing suggestions for improvement in the margins.
Assumptions
Fundamental ideas or beliefs that the author takes for granted as true without explicitly stating or proving them, which may or may not be valid.
Example:
One Assumption in the economic report was that consumer behavior would remain consistent despite rising inflation, which could be challenged.
Context
The academic, historical, social, or cultural environment in which a text was created, influencing its meaning and the author's argument.
Example:
Understanding the Cold War Context is crucial to fully grasp the political rhetoric used in speeches from that era.
Critical Reading
An active approach to reading that involves analyzing a text to understand its components, purpose, and underlying arguments, rather than just passively absorbing information.
Example:
When you engage in Critical Reading, you're not just reading a research paper; you're questioning the author's methods and evaluating the strength of their conclusions.
Evidence
The specific facts, data, examples, statistics, or expert opinions that an author uses to support their claims and arguments.
Example:
The researcher presented statistical data from a large-scale survey as Evidence to support their hypothesis about social media usage.
Highlighting
A visual method of marking important lines or passages in a text, often using different colors to distinguish between types of information like claims and evidence.
Example:
When studying for an exam, you use Highlighting to mark the main arguments in yellow and supporting evidence in blue, making it easier to review.
Line of Reasoning
The logical progression of ideas and arguments that an author uses to reach their conclusion or support their main claim.
Example:
The author's Line of Reasoning was clear, moving from defining the problem to presenting evidence, and finally proposing a solution.
Main Idea
The central point, thesis statement, or overall message that the author is trying to convey in a text or a specific section.
Example:
The Main Idea of the article was that climate change is primarily caused by human activity, supported by various scientific studies.
Making Meaning
Strategies employed to internalize and understand a text, transforming the information into personally comprehensible knowledge.
Example:
Through Making Meaning strategies like annotating and note-taking, you transform a complex philosophical essay into a clear summary in your own words.
Note-Taking
Creating separate, organized records of information from a text, which can be digital or on paper, for easy reference and review.
Example:
After reading several articles for your literature review, you consolidate key findings and arguments into a structured Note-Taking system using a digital app.
Perspective
The author's viewpoint or the specific lens through which they present their argument, often shaped by their background, beliefs, or field of study.
Example:
The article offered a unique Perspective on urban development, focusing on community-led initiatives rather than top-down planning.
Preview and Prioritize (P&P)
A set of strategies used to interact with a text in multiple ways, optimizing time and effort by assessing relevance and getting a general understanding before deep dives.
Example:
Before diving into a dense academic journal, you use Preview and Prioritize (P&P) techniques like scanning headings to decide if it's truly relevant to your research question.
Questioning
An active reading strategy where you formulate your own questions about the text, challenging ideas, identifying gaps, or seeking clarification.
Example:
As you read about a new scientific theory, you engage in Questioning by asking yourself, 'What evidence supports this claim?' or 'Are there alternative explanations?'
Reading Aloud
The practice of vocalizing a text while reading, which can enhance comprehension, especially for difficult or complex passages, by engaging both sight and sound.
Example:
When encountering a particularly dense theoretical passage, you find that Reading Aloud helps you process the information more effectively and identify awkward phrasing.
Rereading
The act of going back to a text, either in its entirety or specific parts, to clarify points, answer questions, or deepen comprehension.
Example:
After a first pass, you find yourself Rereading the methodology section of a study to fully understand the experimental design.
Scanning
Quickly reading through a text to get a general sense of its content and main points, often by looking at headings, subheadings, and key terms.
Example:
To quickly find out if a chapter discusses climate change impacts on polar bears, you would Scanning the table of contents and section titles.
Skimming
A more detailed form of scanning where you read selectively, such as the first sentence of each paragraph or specific sections, to find particular information or grasp the overall argument.
Example:
When you need to find a specific statistic about renewable energy consumption in a long report, you might Skimming through the data analysis sections.
Tone
The author's attitude toward their subject or audience, which can be conveyed through word choice and writing style (e.g., positive, negative, neutral, analytical).
Example:
The Tone of the historical document was formal and objective, reflecting the academic nature of the research.