Anticipation in Reading
but to go off with him and travel in his company."
All reading is based to some degree on anticipation. As we discussed previously, authors will often provide structural clues that work as sign posts indicating that the direction of the argument is changing.
Anticipation is very similar. Readers, as we read, we begin to form opinions, assessments, and derive conclusions based on the information presented to us. In this lesson, we will discuss three specific methods of presenting information that requires you to interact with the author.
That's right, in some types of reading material; you really cannot sit back and be a passive reader. You've already learned that you will always do better when you're an engaged reader, but we've now reached a level of reading that absolutely requires your interaction and involvement.
Details
As you read, you will notice that all writers include certain details to support their thesis or purpose for writing a particular selection. All details should be in position to further the author's argument or position. Each detail has been placed for a specific reason. However, there will be times when so many details have been offered to the reader that it is impossible for the reader to keep track of all of them, based on memory alone.Test makers love these types of passages because they understand that a little confusion can lead to a lot of confusion! They are actually hoping you'll lose sight of the author's reason for including all the details that have been included. Annotating is one good way to keep track of the overall flow of the argument without getting mired down in the details.
You will be asked certain questions, referring specifically to the details. To avoid falling into the "too much detail" trap, remember your annotation lessons to stay on track. With reading comprehension questions that relate to "specific detail," your job is to ask why the author included that particular detail.
The problem with this type of question is that the author is not going to come right out and strong>say why he/she included that particular detail in the passage. You will have to evaluate what the author is suggesting without coming right out and saying it. (Please see the next section on inference.)
When answering specific detail questions, remember to stay focused on that very tight specific detail. You can be led astray when the test maker asks more general questions, that are very likely true, but are not the best answer. It is often recommended that you try to answer the question in your own words, then looking at the answer. This will help you from being swayed by answers that sound correct, but are designed to lead you away from the truly best answer.
The two tricks to expect are choosing an answer that is true, but does not actually respond to the question. The response will restate something that was stated elsewhere in the passage. Stay focused only on the relevant portion of the passage.
The second trick is a response that is too broad, even though it really does reflect the author's purpose. Purpose of detail questions are very tight and limited. That is the purpose of detail, so do not be distracted by generalities. If there is a specific detail included in a reading passage, it has a purpose for being there.
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