FUNDAMENTALS

OF READING
ACADEMIC
TEXTS
 By the end of the lesson,
you will have been able to:
1. Determine the purpose of
reading;
2. Identify the features of
academic texts;
3. Differentiate academic texts
from non-academic texts;
Objectives: 4. Use critical reading
strategy in reading academic
texts;
5. Annotate academic texts;
6. Discuss key ideas or
information; and
7. Write synthesis of
information from various
academic text read.
Below are Some Examples of Academic Texts.

Academic Descriptions
Texts
Published in scholarly, this type of academic
text offers results of research and development
Articles that can either impact the academic
community or provide relevance to nation-
building.
Conference These are papers presented in scholastic
papers conferences and may be revised as articles for
possible publication in scholarly journals.
Reviews These provide evaluation or reviews of works
published in scholarly journals.

Theses, These are the personal research written by a

Dissertation candidate for a college or university degree.
s
READIN
G
GOALS
Before you read an academic text, ask
yourself the following questions.

• Why I am reading
this text?
• What information
or pieces of
information do I
need?
• What do I want to
learn?
Below are some general purposes for reading an
academic text.
• To better understand an
existing idea
• To get ideas that can support a
particular writing assignment
• To gain more information
• To identify gaps in existing
studies
• To connect new ideas to
existing ones
 WHAT IS AN
ACADEMIC TEXT?
An academic text
is a reading material
that provides
information which
include concepts and
theories that are
related to the
specifi c discipline.
STRUCTURES OF
ACADEMIC TEXT
 Academic texts are
typically formal.
 They have clearly
structured introduction,
body and conclusion.
 They include information
from credible sources
 They should also include
list of references.
 CONTENT AND
STYLE OF
ACADEMIC TEXT
• They include concepts
and theories that are
related to a specifi c
discipline.
• They usually exhibit the
properties of a well
written text i.e.,
organization, unity,
cohesion, coherence,
 ACADEMIC
TEXT
 Books and book
reports
 Translations
 Essays
 Research papers and
Research Articles
 Conference paper
 Academic journal
 Dissertation and
Thesis
 Abstract
 NON-ACADEMIC
TEXTS
These are texts
are written for the
mass public. They can
also be written by
anyone. It may be
considered as the
texts which are more
on personal or
emotional.
 NON-ACADEMIC
TEXTS
• Personal Opinions
• Letters to editors
• Memos
• Magazine
• fi ction or non-fi ction
• Writing for
newspapers,
• Digital media.
CRITICAL READING
STRATEGIES
• Academic text requires focus
and understanding you have
to interact w ith the by
questioning its assumptions,
responding to its arguments
and connecting it to real life
experiences and application.
• Other reading strategies:
SQ 3R method of reading
(survey, question, read,
recite, review.) and KWL
Method
READING STRATEGIES
FOR ACADEMIC TEXTS
 BEFORE
READING
 DURING THE
READING
 AFTER
 Before Reading
• Determine which type of academic
text (article, review, thesis, etc.) you
are reading
• Determine and establish your
purpose for reading
• Identify the author’s purpose for
writing
• Predict or infer the main idea or
argument of the text based on its
title
• State what you already know and
what you want to learn about the
topic
 Determine your target
Before Reading
audience
Check the publication date
for relevance.
Check the reference list
while making sure to
consider the correctness of
the formatting style
Use a concept map or
graphic organizer to note
your existing ideas and
knowledge on the topic
 During the
Reading
• Annotate important parts of the
text.
• Annotating a text can help you
determine essential ideas or
information, main ideas or arguments,
and new information or ideas. Here
are some ways to annotate a text.

• Write key words or phrases on the

margin in bullet form
• Write brief notes on the margin
• Write questions on information that
you find confusing
• Write what you already know about
the ideas
• Comment on the author’s biases
 After Reading
• Reflect on what you
learned.
• React on some parts of
the text through writing
• Discuss some parts with
your teacher or
classmates
• Link the main idea of the
text to what you already
know.
 SQ3R METHOD (SURVEY)
BEFORE YOU READ,
SURVEY (SCAN) THE TEXT:

 title, headings,
subheadings
 captions under pictures,
charts, etc.
 introduction and
conclusion
SQ3R method (QUESTION)
Q U E S T I O N W H I L E YO U A R E
SURVEYING:
 Turn the title/headings into
questions.
 If reading a textbook, read the
questions at the end of the
chapter.
 Ask yourself, ‘What do I
already know about this
subject?’
 Ask yourself, ‘What did the
lecturer say about this topic?’
 SQ3R method (READ)
W H E N YO U B E G I N T O R E A D :
 Note all the underlined, bold or
italicized words.
 Reduce your reading speed for difficult
passages (but try not to do this all the
time).
 Check your dictionary only when you
cannot determine the meaning from
the context. DO NOT check every word.
 Give yourself permission to ‘miss’ the
meaning of some words. Aim for
overall comprehension.
 Look for answers to the questions you
first raised.
SQ3R method (RECITE)
R E C I T E A F T E R YO U R E A D E A C H
SECTION:
 Orally ask yourself questions
about what you have just read.
 Write a one-sentence summary

at the end of each section.

 Underline/highlight key points.

 Make notes in the margin (or on

a separate piece of paper with

the full reference included in
your notes).
 SQ3R method (REVIEW)
R E V I E W YO U R R E A D I N G :

 After you have finished the whole

article or chapter, write a short
summary. Keep this summary
with the text.
 Never finish an article without
doing some form of oral and
written review.
 If studying for an exam, go back
through the text and ask yourself
questions (flash cards work well).