ENAPP
LESSON 1
HANDOUT #1
READING ACADEMIC TEXTS
What is Reading?
- It is a decoding process—the breaking down
of written codes
- It is a comprehension process
- It is not only an activity with the printed
words but also the use of thinking strategies
to decipher the meaning of the written text
- It is a process of involving the readers into
an interaction with the text and enables
them to use the reading strategies in
getting the meaning of the printed text
- It is a skill, hence, it can be learned
3 Basic Structures of Academic Texts:
1. Narration- a basic strategy used by writers for
presenting action
- used by writers to illustrate and support
ideas with anecdotes, entertain the
readers with stories, predict what will
happen with scenarios, and explain
how something happens (or should
happen) with process narratives
- tells a story or explains a sequence of
events
- can be fiction or nonfiction
Examples of narratives: novels, fables, screenplays,
biographies, history books
Kinds of Narration:
a. Objective Narration- present facts to create
an accurate time line of events
b. Subjective Narration- conveys the
impressions, feelings, insights, or point of view
2. Definition- explanation of unfamiliar terms
- two major purposes are to explain or to
convince
Types of Definition:
a. Standard Definitions- meaning rarely
change and is universally accepted
(e.g. definition of right angle)
b. Regulatory Definitions- meanings assigned
by organizations and changes depending on
how it is used (e.g. PAG-ASA’s definition of
critical level)
c. Qualifying Definitions- meanings of words
that are subject for interpretation (e.g.
delinquent)
d. Personal Definitions- depend on the
interpretations or assigned meaning of the
writer himself (e.g. the definition of
friendship)
e. Invented Definitions- meanings given to
words which are newly- coined as already
being used in the society (e.g. the definition
of flash mob)
3. Classification- involves combining objects or items
into categories based on distinct
characteristics (e.g. the classifications
used by PAG-ASA are yellow
rainfall warning, orange rainfall
warning, etc.)
4. Comparison and Contrast- to see how objects or
items are alike and different
2 ways in using comparison and contrast:
a. Chunking- the characteristics of the items
being compared are presented separately
b. Sequencing- the attributes of the objects are
presented point by point
5. Cause and Effect- states or explains reasons why
things happen or explains the results of certain
phenomena
Text Structure Signal Words
Description For example, for instance,
specifically, in particular,
in addition
Cause and effect Consequently, therefore,
as a result, thereby, leads
to
Comparison and However, unlike, like, by,
contrast in comparison, although,
whereas, similar to,
different from
Chronological Next, first, last, second,
Order another, then, additionally
Language Use
*The choice of the language should be suited to the
reader.
Writer’s tone of writing:
1. Subjective- uses the writer’s personal biases
and judgment
2. Objective- uses factual information and
arguments
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