A3 - Oficina de redação em língua inglesa - textos técnicos

Prévia do material em texto

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OFICINA DE REDAÇÃO EM LÍNGUA 
INGLESA - TEXTOS TÉCNICOS
TÉCNICAS DE LEITURA (SKIMMING, 
SCANNING E PREDICTION)
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Olá!
To Beale (2007) there are different styles of reading for different situations. The technique you choose will
depend on the purpose for reading. For example, you might be reading for enjoyment, information, or to
complete a task. If you are exploring or reviewing, you might skim a document. If you're searching for
information, you might scan for a particular word. You need to adjust your reading speed and technique
depending on your purpose.
Many people consider skimming and scanning search techniques rather than reading strategies. However when
reading large volumes of information, they may be more practical than reading. For example, you might be
searching for specific information, looking for clues, or reviewing information.
In this class you are going to:
1- Analyze the strategies of reading: ;Prediction, Skimming and Scanning
2- Study the grammatical structures aiming to make easy the process of reading and comprehension.
1 Initial considerations
According to Beale (2007), reading is an important part of learning English. One of the best tips on improving
reading is to think about how you read in your own language. Start by thinking about how you read different
documents:
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• How do you read the newspaper?
• How do you read novels?
• How do you read train schedules? and so on.
Taking time to think about this will help give you clues on how to read in English — even if you don't understand
every single word.
Ask yourself this question: Do I read every word in your own language when I am reading a schedule,
summary, or other outlining document?
The answer is most definitely: !No
Reading in English is like reading in your native language. This means that it is not always necessary to read and
understand each and every word in English. Remember that reading skills in your native language and English
are basically the same.
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Here is a quick overview of the four types of reading skills used in every language:
• Prediction
used to anticipate what the readers are about to read.
• Skimming
used to understand the "gist" or main idea.
• Scanning
used to find a particular piece of information.
• Extensive reading
used for pleasure and general understanding.
• Intensive reading
accurate reading for detailed understanding.
You can use these reading skills in a number of ways to improve other areas of English learning such as
pronunciation, grammar and increasing vocabulary.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
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2 Prediction
Making predictions is a strategy in which readers use information from a text (including titles, headings,
pictures, and diagrams) and their own personal experiences to anticipate what they are about to read (or what
comes next).
A reader involved in making predictions is focused on the text at hand, constantly thinking ahead and also
refining, revising, and verifying his or her predictions. This strategy also helps students make connections
between their prior knowledge and the text.
As you read, stop every once in a while and think about what the author has written. Check the text and images
for clues about what might be important. If you're reading a story, try predicting what you think will happen
next. If you're reading a poem, speech, or essay, try predicting the themes and main ideas the author will
emphasize.
Good predictions:
• Connect what you know with information in the text and images;
• Make an educated guess, not a wild guess;
• Often change as you read more and get new information that doesn't match your earlier 
prediction.
The more you know about something, the better you are at predicting. For example, in order to make a good
prediction about whether your favorite team will make it to the playoffs, you need to know a lot about the team,
its rivals, and the sport itself.
Similarly, if you want to make a prediction about a piece of writing, first make sure you have a thorough
understanding of what you've read so far.
3 Skimming
According to Beale (2007), readers skim a text when they look it over quickly to get a general idea of the subject-
matter (also called “gist”). The reader is not interested in all the detail, getting the gist is enough.
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Remember you can learn more by checking the resources, clicking on vocabulary words, and
searching online for more information. Then make an informed guess, not a wild guess, about
what will come next.
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Examples of Skimming:
• The newspaper (quickly to get the general news of the day).
• Magazines (quickly to discover which articles you would like to read in more detail)
• Business and travel brochures (quickly to get informed).
4 Skimming advantages x Skimming disadvantages
We now know the advantages and disadvantages of skim.
• Skimming advantages
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Saiba mais
Learn how to skim what you read: http://estaciodocente.webaula.com.br/cursos/gon501/docs
/a03_t04.pdf
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Skimming is useful when you have to decide if a long piece of writing is worth close study. If a student
with an hour to do some research is presented with 10 textbooks and, there won't be time to read them
all. It makes sense to swiftly appraise them and choose the most relevant one.
Skimming can also be an effective way of quickly reviewing something that has been read previously, so
that the reader can recall the most significant parts. The Reading and Study Skills Lab at Anne Arundel
Community College, Maryland, estimates skimming can be done at approximately 1,000 words a minute.
• Skimming disadvantages
Skimming a book, article or webpage only gives the reader a general idea of its contents. Nuances, vital
details and caveats are easily missed. This can produce a confused or misleading impression.
Skimming works well when dealing with clear subjects that lend themselves to a general overview, such
as a chronological description of an event. Skimming is far less effective in making sense of complex
discussions or detailed arguments.
5 Scanning
According to Beale (2007), scanning is a technique you often use when looking up a word in the telephone book
or dictionary. You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're
concentrating on finding a particular answer.
Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases. Scanning is also
used when you first find a resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you've scanned
the document, you might go back and skim it.
When scanning, look for the author's use of organizers such as numbers, letters, steps, or the words, first, second,
or next. Look for words that are bold faced, italics, or in a different font size, style, or color.
Sometimes the author will put key ideas in the margin. Reading off a computer screen has become a growing
concern. Research shows that people have more difficulty reading off a computer screen than off paper. Although
they can read and comprehend at the same rate as paper, skimming on the computer is much slower than on
paper.
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Examples of scanning:
• The "What's on TV" section of your newspaper.
• A train/airplane schedule.
• A conference guide.
When we scan, we usually:
• have an idea what information we want from the text, and look for content words or. .visual clues that 
signal that information;
• read in blocks of words rather than word by word.
6 Scanning advantages x Scanning disadvantages
We now know the advantages and disadvantages of skan.
• Scanning advantages
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Saiba mais
Learn how to scan what you read: http://estaciodocente.webaula.com.br/cursos/gon501/docs
/a03_t07.pdf
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Scanning allows the reader to efficiently gather information, which may be scattered throughout a long
piece of writing. It encourages the reader to research in apurposeful way and avoid distractions.
According to Anne Arundel Community College's Reading and Study Skills Lab, scanning can be done at
approximately 1,500 words a minute, or even more.
• Scanning disadvantages
Scanning can be monotonous and the technique is not suited for long periods of study, as it is easy to lose
concentration. Although scanning is a good way to quickly gather facts, it is not always thorough and a
key fact may be overlooked.
The context in which a fact appears may affect its meaning. Without reading the surrounding text, it is
easy to misinterpret a fact's true significance.
7 Scanning vs. skimming?
It is impossible to say which technique is better, as it depends on the reader's purpose. According to the
Advanced Institute of Management Research at Cranfield University, in the United Kingdom, skimming and
scanning have their place, but only if you "match your reading strategy to the reading purpose." If you need a
general idea of a book's subject-matter, choose skimming. If you need to gather specific information from a
newspaper article, choose scanning.
8 Extensive Reading and Intensive Reading
Let us know the difference between Extensive Reading and Intensive reading?
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Extensive reading is used to obtain a general understanding of a subject and includes reading longer texts for
pleasure, as well as business books. Use extensive reading skills to improve your general knowledge of business
procedures. Do not worry if you understand each word.
Examples:
• The latest marketing strategy book.
• A novel you read before going to bed.
• Magazine articles that interest you.
Intensive reading is used on shorter texts in order to extract specific information. It includes very close
accurate reading for detail. Use intensive reading skills to grasp the details of a specific situation. In this case, it is
important that you understand each word, number or fact.
Examples:
• A bookkeeping report.
• An insurance claim.
• A contract.
Next, class we are going to study
• The differences between technical writing and literary writing;
• Discuss traits of technical writing.
CONCLUSÃO
Nesta aula, você:
• Analyze the strategies of reading: ;Prediction, Skimming and Scanning
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//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymIMwopxX40
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtcXr0_201A
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHGebIw12Fw
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-CVItQdc34
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbozEcwLhRc
//www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/672
//amby.com/educate/reading.html
//www.wikihow.com/Category:Improving-Reading-Skills (vários artigos)
//www.uefap.com/reading/exercise/menu_eff.htm
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• Analyze the strategies of reading: ;Prediction, Skimming and Scanning
• Study the grammatical structures aiming to make easy the process of reading and comprehension.
Referências
BEALE, Abby Marks. : strategies for study and lifelong learning. 3rd ed. Published by ThomsonSuccess skills
/Cengage: 2007.
BEAUGRANDE, R. & DRESSLER, W. . London: Longman, 1981.An introduction to text linguistics
LUNSFORD, Andrea and COLLINS, Robert. . Annotated instructor’s edition. 5th Ed.The St. Martin’s handbook
New York: St. Martin’s, 2003.
ROSEN, Leonard and BEHRENS, Laurence. . Annotated instructor’s edition. 4thThe Allyn and Bacon handbook
ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000.
VAN DIJK, T. : explorations in the semantics and pragmatics of discourse. London: Longman,Text and context
1997.
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