1. Units 1 – 4 Student Materials Booklet
CM 1190
CM1190 Technical Reading
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. Thinking About Reading
CM 1190
Unit 1
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
Introduction and Setting Goals
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

12. 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 ¾’s over to the right of each page. This will be for instructor comments.
Law (2005)

13. BUY A LOGBOOK AND BRING IT TO CLASS!
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

15. Introduction and Setting Goals
CM 1190
Introduction and Setting Goals
End of Unit 1.1

16. CM 1190
Reading Purposes
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)

19. 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 s

22. Reading to Perform a Task
Involves reading various types of text to apply information to complete a task.
The reader’s purpose for gaining meaning extends beyond understanding the text to include the accomplishment of a certain activity.
Type of texts include:
Directions
Instructions
User manuals
Schedules
Traffic signs
Government forms
Specification sheets
Recipes

23. List of Figures Comic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Action1.JPG,
Sign:
Menu:
Newspaper:

24. CM 1190
Reading Purposes
End of Unit 1.2

25. Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
CM 1190
Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
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)

27. 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

28. Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
used by students and professionals to communicate academic, scientific, mechanical, or procedural information.
Narration:
used to tell about events; storytelling that makes the reader feel emotions.
Journalism:
used to inform readers about social events

29. Purposes of Technical and Academic Texts
1. To inform (most often)
2. To instruct
3. To persuade (with evidence)

30. 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.

35. 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.

36. Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
CM 1190
Characteristics of Technical and Academic Texts
End of Unit 1.3

37. CM 1190
The Reading Process
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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. Prepare to Read Consider the topics being presented. Ask yourself:
“What topics does the author seem to be emphasizing?”
“How are the topics organized?”

42. 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?”

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. CM 1190
The Reading Process
End of Unit 1.4

48. CM 1190
Building Vocabulary
Unit 1.5

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. Exploring the AWL
Open up the following website:
Go to ‘Sub-list 1’
Review the words in the list. Then try Exercise 1a, 1b, and 1c. How did you do?

52. 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.

53. 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

54. 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)

55. CM 1190
Building Vocabulary
End of Unit 1.5

56. Thinking About Reading
CM 1190
End of Unit 1
Thinking About Reading