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Efficient and Flexible Reading, 8/e Kathleen T. McWhorter

Chapter 6: Reading Essays and Articles

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In this chapter you will learn:

1. To recognize the parts of formal essays.

2. To read popular press articles.

3. To read scholarly journal articles.

4. To critically analyze essays and articles.

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Comparing Essays and Articles

Essays Presents personal view

of an author on a subject.

More subjective. Puts a personal “spin” on

the information presented.

Articles Author assumes the role

of a reporter. More objective. Avoids personal feelings

and concentrates on directly stating the facts.

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Examining the Structure of Essays

Title Introduction Thesis Statement Supporting Information Summary or Conclusion

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The Structure of an Essay

Title Introduction Body Conclusion

Thesis StatementParagraph 1

Supporting IdeaParagraph 2

Supporting IdeaParagraph 3

Supporting IdeaParagraph 5

Final Paragraph

Supporting IdeaParagraph 4

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The Structure of an Essay

The Title: Suggests the subject of the essay. Is intended to capture the reader’s interest. Announces what the essay will be about. The subtitle suggests subject matter more

directly.

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The Structure of an Essay

The Introduction: Presents the thesis statement of the essay Offers background information

– Example: explains television addiction as an issue

Defines technical or unfamiliar terms– Example: defines addiction

Builds your interest– Example: an extreme case of television

addiction

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The Thesis Statement

Answers the question: “What is the one main point the author is making?”

Examples:– Due to its negative health effects, cigarette

smoking is once again being regarded as a form of deviant behavior.

– Career choice is influenced by numerous factors including skills and abilities, attitudes, and life goals.

– Year-round school will provide children with a better education that is more cost effective.

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The Body

The body of the essay contains sentences and paragraphs that explain or support the thesis statement. This support may be in the form of:ExamplesDescriptionsFactsStatisticsReasonsAnecdotes

(stories that illustrate a point)

Personal experiences and observations

Quotations from or references to authorities and experts

Comparisons

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The Conclusion

An essay is brought to a close with a brief conclusion, not a summary.

A conclusion is a final statement about the subject of the essay.

The conclusion refers back to, but does not repeat the thesis statement.

A conclusion suggests a direction of further thought or introduces a new way of looking at what has already been said.

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Reading and Evaluating Essays

1. Establish the authority of the author whenever possible.

2. Pay attention to background information the author provides.

3. Identify the author’s thesis.

4. Pay attention to new terminology.

5. Highlight as you read.

6. Outline, map, or summarize the essay.

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Reading Popular Press Articles

Two common types: hard news articles and feature articles

Both contain:– Lead (beginning)– Body or Development (story itself)– Conclusion

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Reading Hard News Articles

When reading notice: The Inverted Pyramid structure (general

to specific)– Title or Headlines– Datelines, Credit lines, and Bylines– Summary Lead– Body or Development

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Action Story

Contains all of the features of an inverted pyramid.

Also has the events in chronological order of their occurrence.

The conclusion contains additional information that does not fit within the chronology used in the body.

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Feature Articles

When reading notice: Feature Lead sparks interest Nut Graph explains the scope of the article Body or Development contains detailed

information Conclusion

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Reading Articles from Scholarly Journals

Abstract Summary of Related Research Description of Research Results Implications, Discussion, and Conclusions Implications Suggesting Further Research

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Reading Articles from Scholarly Journals

1. Be sure you understand the author’s purpose.

2. Highlight as you read.

3. Use index cards.

4. Use quotations.

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Analyzing Essays & Articles

1. Who is the author?2. What is the author’s purpose?3. What does the introduction or lead add to the

piece of writing?4. What is the author’s thesis?5. Does the author adequately support the

thesis?6. Does the author supply sources, references,

or citations for the facts and statistics presented?

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Critical Thinking Tip #6: Evaluating Research Sources

1. Check the copyright date.2. Be sure to use an authoritative source.3. Choose sources that provide complete and

concrete information.4. Select first-hand accounts of an event or

experience.5. Avoid using sources with biased information,

personal opinion and reactions.

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Summary

1. How do essays and articles differ?2. What are the parts of an essay?3. What can you do to improve your reading of

essays?4. How are popular press articles organized?5. What are the parts of most scholarly journal

articles?6. How can you read essays and articles critically?

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Go Electronic

For additional readings, exercises, and Internet activities, visit this book’s Web site at: http://www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter