Merced College Prep2Test Workshop

Merced College Prep2Test Workshop

Prep2Test The purpose of this presentation is to provide future students a brief review before taking the Merced College Accuplacer test. This presentation is not designed as a comprehensive review. The focus is on refreshing the student s knowledge of targeted elements of the Accuplacer placement test. This series was compiled based on assessment of students during our Prep2Test Workshop and on feedback from those students.

Strategies This presentation will cover the following strategies: Prior knowledge Topic Main Idea Major and Minor Details Implied Meaning Figurative Language

Strategy: Prior Knowledge Engaging with a text begins before you start to read. The first thing you should do as you preview a text is activate your prior knowledge. This is the process of relating what you know to what you are going to read. Do this by reviewing all the information you already know about the subject or that you can connect to the subject.

Strategy: Prior Knowledge Sample Reading: Understanding the Stock Market Ask yourself, What do I already understand about the stock market? People can buy and sell stocks It s a way to make and lose money The news usually reports if the stock market is up or down based on points. It s complicated. Companies go public by selling on the stock market. The key is to make sure that you connect what you read to what you already know. Be willing to dismiss irrelevant prior knowledge as you read.

Strategy: Topic Identifying the topic is the first step that readers make towards identifying the main idea. A topic is the subject of the reading. When reading, as yourself, Who or what is this about? to find the topic. The title may be a clue to the topic, but it isn t necessarily the topic. A topic is a word or a phrase but not a complete sentence. A topic should be repeated several times in a paragraph or a longer selection. A topic may describe the items in a list.

Strategy: Topic Basketball Soccer Football Rugby Baseball Ask yourself, What is this list about? Answer: Team Sports Team Sports is the topic of the above list.

Strategy: Main Idea A main idea is a complete sentence that includes the topic. Topic + author s most important idea= Main Idea Sentence To find the main idea ask yourself, What is the most important point the author is making about the topic? A main idea sentence may be stated directly or implied. The main idea may be at the beginning, middle, or end of a passage. The main idea may also be called a topic sentence. If the passage has multiple paragraphs, the main idea may be called a thesis or a central point

Strategy: Implied Main Idea A main idea sentence may not always be stated. If you cannot find one, it may be an implied main idea. The first step to finding an implied an implied main idea is to identify the topic. Next, look at all the details that the author presents about the topic. Use this information to determine the author s most important point. Write the main idea in your own words. Remember The implied main idea will still have the topic + the author s most important point. The implied main idea will still be a complete sentence.

Strategy: Main Idea Words of caution It isn t always the first sentence. Don t be distracted by your own personal reaction to the author s words and opinions Only rely on the information the author presents to form the main idea.

Strategy: Major and Minor Details There are two primary types of supporting details: major and minor. Major supporting details help explain the main ideas. Minor supporting details further explain the major supporting details. Supporting details help explain the author s main point. To locate the major and minor details, you might ask yourself, How does the author explain, develop, or prove his or her main idea?

Strategy: Major and Minor Details Finding the details using transitions. Supporting details are often introduced by using transitional words. Transitions help the reader anticipate what kind of information is coming. signal the relationship between major details and main ideas.

Strategy: Major and Minor Details There are three types of transitions. Transitions between sections Transitions within paragraphs Transitions between paragraphs

Strategy: Major and Minor Details 1. Additional Transitions: Specifically, these words indicate that an author is continuing with the same idea and is going to provide more supporting details. Examples: and, also, another, in addition, furthermore, besides, another, other, last, finally 2. Example transitions Introduce examples that help explain concepts. Examples: for example, for instance, such as, to illustrate, including, specifically

Strategy: Major and Minor Details 3. Explanation and Reason Transitions Supporting details that support main ideas through rationalization and justification may be introduced by explanation and reason transitions. Examples: because, since, therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, so, if 4. Sequence Transitions Sequential transitions are used by authors to explain the order in which events occurred or the steps in a process, concept, or theory. Examples: first, later, next, finally, after, when, during

Strategy: Major and Minor Details 5. Comparison Transitions Authors use comparison transitions to show how a previous idea is similar to the one that follows. Examples: like, likewise, similarly, in the same manner, also, too 6. Contrast Transitions Authors use contrast transitions to show how a previous idea differs from the one that follows. Examples: unlike, but, yet, however, nevertheless, still, while, whereas, although, even though, on the other hand, in contrast

Strategy: Figurative Language Figurative language creates an interesting and enriched form of speaking or writing. Words are used in a symbolic way to represent feelings or ideas. Words and phrases are not meant to impart their literal meaning. The reader actively visualizes and interprets the ideas.

Strategy: Figurative Language Basic types of figurative language: Simile Metaphor Idioms Hyperbole Personification Onomatopoeia Alliteration

Strategy: Figurative Language A simile makes a comparison between two unlike objects or ideas, but is slightly less directly than a metaphor. Usually uses like or as to make the comparison. Examples: She is like a feather. Mary is as sweet as sugar. The soldier was as tough as nails. He grumbles like a bear.

Strategy: Figurative Language A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two dissimilar objects or ideas. Often provides a vivid description about the point. Example: Bill was an erupting volcano last week after learning the results of his company s sales.

Strategy: Figurative Language Idioms are a type of figurative speech that is not easily translated, but it often adds interest and sometimes a dash of humor to language. They are expressions that are used to describe emotions and behaviors. Examples: Jim s blood boiled as the police officer wrote him a ticket for going five miles an hour beyond the speed limit. Karen was green with envy when she heard the plans for our holiday trip.

Strategy: Figurative Language Hyperbole is the use of exaggerated language to make a strong point or to provide emphasis. Hyperbole is often used in common language. Examples: I gained a hundred pounds at the buffet. It must be 200 degrees out there. My textbooks weigh a ton. It was the greatest thing in the history of the universe.

Strategy: Figurative Language Personification is when human qualities or abilities are given to non-human beings or inanimate objects. It does not describe people. Examples: The building stared at us steadfastly as we approached the city. The wind chimes giggled and frolicked in the breeze. The waves caressed the shore. The wind shouted.

Strategy: Figurative Language Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate sounds associated with the objects or actions that they refer to. Examples: Plop Fizz Whirr Crash Boom Hiss

Strategy: Figurative Language Alliteration is the repetition of sounds in a line. It can be consonant or vowel sounds. Examples: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Our first vacation was fabulous and fun.

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