English Reading Skills Syllabus

How do narrative and expository texts differ?

Narrative texts tell a story with characters, setting, and plot; expository texts explain, inform, or describe factual information, often using structures like cause-effect or compare-contrast.

List four common text structures used in informational writing.

Cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, and sequence/chronological order (description is also commonly included).

What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?

Fiction is imaginative writing about invented events and characters; non-fiction presents factual, real information and real events.

What distinguishes a persuasive text from an informative text?

A persuasive text aims to convince the reader to adopt a viewpoint or take action using arguments and appeals; an informative text aims to explain or present facts neutrally.

What is the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

To state the paragraph's main idea, usually at or near the beginning, so the reader knows what the supporting details will be about.

What does 'summarizing' a text involve?

Briefly restating the main ideas and most important supporting points in your own words, leaving out minor details, examples, and repetition.

What is the difference between a summary and a paraphrase?

A summary condenses a text to its main ideas and is shorter than the original; a paraphrase restates a specific passage in your own words at roughly the same length.

What is metacognition in reading, and why does it matter?

Metacognition is 'thinking about your own thinking'—monitoring whether you understand what you read and adjusting strategies when comprehension breaks down. It improves self-regulated, effective reading.

What is a denotation versus a connotation of a word?

Denotation is a word's literal, dictionary definition; connotation is the emotional or cultural association the word carries beyond its literal meaning.

What is a collocation in vocabulary learning?

A pair or group of words that habitually occur together (e.g., 'make a decision', 'heavy rain'), which sound natural to native speakers.

What is the difference between literal and figurative language?

Literal language means exactly what it says; figurative language uses devices like metaphor, simile, or hyperbole to convey meaning beyond the literal words.

What is critical reading?

Reading that goes beyond understanding to evaluate a text—analyzing the author's argument, evidence, assumptions, bias, and reliability rather than passively accepting it.

What is an author's purpose, and what are its three common categories?

The author's reason for writing. The three common categories are to inform, to persuade, and to entertain (sometimes remembered as PIE: Persuade, Inform, Entertain).

What is meant by an author's tone?

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style (e.g., formal, sarcastic, optimistic, critical).

What is a logical fallacy in an argument?

A flaw in reasoning that weakens or invalidates an argument, such as a hasty generalization, ad hominem attack, false dilemma, or appeal to emotion.

What is the difference between bias and objectivity in a text?

Bias is a one-sided or prejudiced presentation favoring a particular view; objectivity is a balanced, fact-based presentation free of personal feelings.

What are primary sources versus secondary sources in academic reading?

Primary sources are original, first-hand materials or data (e.g., experiments, original documents); secondary sources analyze, interpret, or summarize primary sources (e.g., review articles, textbooks).

What is the SQ3R study-reading method?

A five-step method for academic reading: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review.

What is the purpose of an abstract in an academic article?

To give a brief summary of the article's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions so readers can quickly judge its relevance before reading the full text.

What is annotation when reading academically?

Marking up a text—underlining, highlighting, and adding margin notes or questions—to engage actively with content, track key ideas, and aid later review.

What is subvocalization, and how does it relate to speed reading?

Subvocalization is silently pronouncing words in your head as you read; reducing it is a common speed-reading technique because it can limit reading speed to speaking pace.

What is a fixation in the context of reading eye movements?

A brief pause during which the eyes stop and focus on a word or group of words to take in information; fewer, broader fixations generally increase reading speed.

What is 'chunking' as a speed-reading technique?

Reading groups of words together as single units rather than word-by-word, which reduces fixations and can increase reading speed and fluency.

What is regression in reading, and how does it affect speed?

Regression is unnecessarily re-reading words or going back over text already read; frequent regression slows reading speed and can disrupt comprehension flow.

What is the typical trade-off readers must balance when increasing reading speed?

The trade-off between speed and comprehension—reading too fast can reduce understanding, so the goal is the fastest speed that maintains adequate comprehension for the purpose.

What strategies help a reader engage with a complex or difficult text?

Reading in sections, rereading, looking up key terms, breaking long sentences into parts, taking notes, identifying the main argument, and questioning the text as you go.

What does it mean to 'read with a pen' or use a pointer/guide while reading?

Using a finger or pen as a visual pacer to guide the eyes smoothly along lines, which can reduce regressions and help maintain a steady, faster reading pace.

What are open-ended questions, and why are they valuable in reading discussions?

Questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes/no and invite explanation, interpretation, or opinion; they deepen analysis and encourage richer discussion of a text.

What is active listening in a reading discussion or book club?

Fully concentrating on what others say, withholding judgment, asking clarifying questions, and responding thoughtfully rather than just waiting to speak.

How does discussing a text with others improve comprehension?

It exposes readers to alternative interpretations, clarifies misunderstandings, requires articulating ideas clearly, and deepens critical thinking through questioning and debate.

What is one effective way to ensure continuous improvement as a reader?

Reading regularly across varied and increasingly challenging texts, reflecting on comprehension, tracking progress against goals, and consistently learning and reviewing new vocabulary.