UNIT-2

READING FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSE

READING COMPREHENSION:

Reading comprehension is an essential skill for understanding written text effectively. Here are some
tips to improve your reading comprehension in English:

1. Preview the Text: Before diving into the reading, take a moment to skim the text. Look at
headings, subheadings, and any visuals like graphs or illustrations. This can give you a sense
of what the text is about and help you prepare mentally.
2. Activate Prior Knowledge: Think about what you already know about the topic. Making
connections between the text and your existing knowledge can help you understand and
remember the material better.
3. Take Notes: As you read, jot down key points, main ideas, and any questions or thoughts you
have. This can help you stay engaged with the text and retain information.
4. Summarize: After reading a section or the entire text, try to summarize the main ideas in
your own words. This forces you to process the information and can reveal gaps in your
understanding.
5. Use Context Clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to infer their meanings from the
surrounding text. Look for clues like synonyms, antonyms, or explanations provided in the
text.
6. Practice Active Reading: Engage with the text actively by asking yourself questions as you
read. Try to predict what will happen next, evaluate the author's arguments, and make
connections between different parts of the text.
7. Read Regularly: Like any skill, reading comprehension improves with practice. Make reading
a regular part of your routine, and challenge yourself with a variety of texts on different
topics and in different formats.
8. Seek Feedback: If possible, discuss the text with others or ask a teacher or tutor for feedback
on your comprehension. This can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your
reading skills over time.

TYPES OF TEXTS IN ENGLISH:

In English, there are various types of texts, each serving different purposes and having distinct
characteristics. Here are some common types:

1. Narrative Texts: These tell a story and often include elements like characters, plot, setting,
and conflict. Examples include novels, short stories, folktales, and myths.
2. Descriptive Texts: Descriptive texts aim to vividly depict a person, place, object, or event
using sensory details. Examples include travelogues, nature writing, and product
descriptions.
3. Expository Texts: Also known as informational texts, expository texts aim to inform or
explain a topic. Examples include textbooks, newspaper articles, essays, and reports.
4. Persuasive Texts: Persuasive texts aim to convince the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or
take a specific action. Examples include advertisements, editorials, speeches, and opinion
columns.
5. Instructional Texts: Instructional texts provide step-by-step guidance on how to perform a
task or achieve a goal. Examples include manuals, recipes, tutorials, and how-to guides.
6. Poetic Texts: Poetic texts use language for its aesthetic and emotional qualities, often
employing rhyme, rhythm, and figurative language. Examples include poems, sonnets, and
lyrics.
7. Dramatic Texts: Dramatic texts are written for performance, including plays, screenplays,
and scripts for television shows or films.
8. Journalistic Texts: These texts are written for newspapers, magazines, or online news
platforms, reporting on current events, issues, or human interest stories.
9. Technical Texts: Technical texts are highly specialized and focus on conveying information
related to specific fields such as science, engineering, medicine, or law. Examples include
scientific papers, engineering manuals, and legal documents.
10. Literary Criticism: Literary criticism involves analyzing and interpreting literary works, often
in essays or scholarly articles.
11. Argumentative Text : Argumentative texts aim to persuade the reader to accept a particular
viewpoint or opinion by presenting reasoned arguments and supporting evidence.