READING TEXTBOOKS IN THE

NATURAL AND SOCIAL

SCIENCES
Academic Vocabulary
 Natural Science  Social Science
1. Scientific method 1. Rhetoric
2. Empirical data 2. Chronological
3. Paradigm
4. Objectivity
5. Deduction
The Nature of Knowledge in the
Natural and Social Sciences
Both the natural and the social sciences were labeled
as such because the knowledge presented in these
fields has been produced as a result of a rigorous
application of the scientific method. As such, the
data presented in such fields are expected to be
empirical in nature and had been reviewed by
other experts in order to ascertain their credibility.
The natural sciences are concerned with natural
phenomena and physical variables while the social
sciences deal with the behavior or individuals and
communities.
The Language of the Natural and
Social Sciences
Given the objective nature of the natural and social
sciences, academic materials in the said fields are
usually written in a detached manner. This means that
an author’s personal opinions, suggestions, and other
peculiar expressions are avoided in order to create an
impression that the data presented will hold true
regardless of whoever is telling it. The pieces of
information are also usually presented in a deductive
manner. The overarching principles are first presented,
and then later on backed up with concrete and specific
pieces of evidence in order to lend credence to the
former.
Features of Natural Science and Social
Science textbooks
Natural Science
 Chapter opener
Heading-chapter number,
chapter title
Brief explanations of the
contents
Sidebar chapter openers
Picture-visual representations
of the principles and
applications tackled in the
chapter.
Social Science
 Unit opener
Unit number
Similar to a textbook in the natural
sciences, a social science
textbook also has pictures in the
unit opener. But, unlike in science,
these are not applications of
some general principles. Rather,
they may either be remnants of a
culture tacked in the unit or
depictions of certain historical or
social events.
Reading tips
 Use the title of the chapter to give you an idea of what
is to be discussed.
 Pictures are used not only to stir your interest but also to
present the concept being tackled in concrete terms. In
the natural sciences, this is all the more important as
these may serve as aids when you start conducting a
physical investigation of a phenomenon.
 In Social sciences the description found at the unit
opener may serve as an abstract or summary of what
the unit is about.
 Chapter Opener
 Lesson Proper 

Picture
Number and title of Lesson objectives (skills to be
mastered)
the lesson. Title is Lesson number and lesson title (
phrased as a question coverage of the lesson)
First paragraph (thesis statement
Science principle or Subtitle that leads to subtopic
main idea is presented Succeeding paragraphs (body)
at the onset - portion, facts, figures, and insights
from important people.
Pictures with caption
 You may use the pictures and principles in the lesson or
chapter openers to deepen your appreciation of the
lesson.
 Before going to the body of the lesson, thoroughly read
the objectives first, and let them guide your study. Try to
address each of them as you go through the lesson.
Usually assessment tools such as exams and term
papers are based on the lesson objectives. Thus, if you
know them by heart, you would be able to easily recall
the information you need.
 Lesson Proper
Section heading
Illustration – visual
representation of the concept
being discussed in the body
Body – provides thorough
discussion of the concept.
Examples are provided
Label
Caption used to describe the
picture
 Lesson Proper
Maps – locate specific
places where the historical
event happened, provide
information on the kind of
life the people had,
visualize discussion
Bibliographic citation
Fun Activity
 Assessment Tools  Lesson Synthesis
Conducting a lab  Assessment
experiment Discussion questions –
designed to help
readers come up with
a comprehensive
understanding of the
lesson’s contents.
 One important feature of science is that it provides a
link between laws and theories and real-life
occurrences.
 Using context clues will help reader either unlock the
meaning of certain words or select the best word that
will complete a sentence. Note the context where the
word appears because it will give clues as to what it
could mean. Clues may come in the form of synonym or
antonym, cause-and-effect relationship, or the words
may be an example of an umbrella concept, or vice
versa.