LS100: EIGHT SKILLS OF THE EFFECTIVE LEGAL STUDIES STUDENT n Instructor: Janice Merilus, Esq. n...

LS100: EIGHT SKILLS OF THE EFFECTIVE LS100: EIGHT SKILLS OF THE EFFECTIVE LEGAL STUDIES STUDENTLEGAL STUDIES STUDENT

Instructor: Janice Merilus, Esq.Instructor: Janice Merilus, Esq. Seminar: Wednesdays @ 8 PMSeminar: Wednesdays @ 8 PM Office Hours: Tuesdays 6-8 PM Office Hours: Tuesdays 6-8 PM

CHAPTER 4CHAPTER 4

Essential TOOLSEssential TOOLS for for Effective ReadingEffective Reading

The material you’re The material you’re An open mindAn open mind Pencils Pencils readingreading

A highlighter A highlighter A tablet or loose-leaf paper A tablet or loose-leaf paper A dictionary A dictionary

Cornerstone: Cornerstone: © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Building on Your Best for Career SuccessBuilding on Your Best for Career Success Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

Basic Prefixes Basic Prefixes for Readingfor Reading

PREFIXPREFIX MEANINGMEANING EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

antianti againstagainst anti-war, antidepressantanti-war, antidepressantautoauto selfself autobiography, autocratautobiography, autocratbibi twotwo bicycle, binocularsbicycle, binocularscircumcircum aroundaround circumference, circumstantialcircumference, circumstantialdede away, undoaway, undo departure, demotedeparture, demotedisdis notnot dishonest, disbardishonest, disbarexex out, formerout, former ex-wife, extraordinaryex-wife, extraordinaryinin notnot incomprehensible, incorrectincomprehensible, incorrectinterinter betweenbetween intersection, intercourseintersection, intercourseintraintra within, inwithin, in intramural, intragalacticintramural, intragalacticmalmal bad, wrongbad, wrong malfunction, malnutritionmalfunction, malnutritionmismis not or wrongnot or wrong miscommunication, misdiagnosemiscommunication, misdiagnosemonomono oneone monorail, monocracymonorail, monocracy

Cornerstone: Cornerstone: © 2006 by Pearson Education, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Inc.

Building on Your Best for Career SuccessBuilding on Your Best for Career Success Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

Basic Prefixes Basic Prefixes for Reading for Reading (continued)(continued)

PREFIXPREFIX MEANINGMEANING EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

nonnon not or nonot or no noncredit, nonsensenoncredit, nonsensepostpost afterafter postmortem, postpartumpostmortem, postpartumprepre beforebefore prerequisite, prefixprerequisite, prefixpropro before, forwardbefore, forward prospect, professprospect, professrere backback regret, regainregret, regainsubsub underunder subway, submergesubway, submergesupersuper aboveabove supernatural, supernatural,

superstitioussuperstitiousteletele distancedistance telephone, telepathytelephone, telepathyultraultra beyond, extremebeyond, extreme ultraviolet, ultrasoundultraviolet, ultrasoundunun notnot unnecessary, ungratefulunnecessary, ungrateful

Cornerstone: Cornerstone: © 2006 by Pearson Education, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Inc.

Building on Your Best for Career SuccessBuilding on Your Best for Career Success Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

Basic Suffixes Basic Suffixes for Reading for Reading

SUFFIXSUFFIX MEANINGMEANING EXAMPLEEXAMPLEanan someone whosomeone who comedian comedian eeee someone whosomeone who employeeemployeeerer someone whosomeone who preacherpreacheristist someone whosomeone who pianistpianistoror someone whosomeone who tailortailorshipship referring toreferring to ownershipownershiphoodhood referring toreferring to neighborhoodneighborhoodestest a conditiona condition fairestfairesticic a conditiona condition allergicallergicishish a conditiona condition foolishfoolishiveive a conditiona condition festivefestivelessless a condition a condition worthlessworthlessnessness a conditiona condition kindnesskindnessousous a conditiona condition generousgenerous


Speed Not ImportantSpeed Not Important

Comprehension is much important than Comprehension is much important than speedspeed

Slow reading is indicative of nothingSlow reading is indicative of nothing Reading speeds vary from person to Reading speeds vary from person to

person depending on training, person depending on training, frequency in reading, comprehension, frequency in reading, comprehension, and the complexity of the material.and the complexity of the material.

Factors that contribute to lack of Factors that contribute to lack of speed/understanding of passagespeed/understanding of passage

Not concentrating on the passageNot concentrating on the passage Encountering vocabulary words with Encountering vocabulary words with

which you are not familiarwhich you are not familiar Stopping too long on any given wordStopping too long on any given word Not reading often enough to build your Not reading often enough to build your

speedspeed

Dictionary – Use it!Dictionary – Use it!

There will be many words and phrases There will be many words and phrases that you will not understand when that you will not understand when reading textsreading texts

Look it up! Given more than the wordLook it up! Given more than the word Given the phonetic pronunciation, Given the phonetic pronunciation,

spelling, meaning, the part of speech in spelling, meaning, the part of speech in which the word can be used, the origin which the word can be used, the origin of the word & usually several definitionsof the word & usually several definitions

Using Your DICTIONARYUsing Your DICTIONARY (From The American Heritage Dictionary, 2 (From The American Heritage Dictionary, 2ndnd College Edition) College Edition)

Pronunciation Pronunciation

The WordThe Word Part of SpeechPart of Speech

UsageUsage

MeaningMeaningWord OriginWord Origin


Dictionary – Become More Dictionary – Become More Familiar with Unknown WordsFamiliar with Unknown Words

Write them in the margin of the page in Write them in the margin of the page in your textyour text

Put the word on an index card (word on Put the word on an index card (word on the front, definition on the back)the front, definition on the back)

Put the definition in a special column Put the definition in a special column when taking noteswhen taking notes

Testing your Testing your COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION

Level 1 KNOWLEDGELevel 1 KNOWLEDGEDefine, List, Describe, Identify, Show, Name, QuoteDefine, List, Describe, Identify, Show, Name, Quote

Level 2 COMPREHENSIONLevel 2 COMPREHENSIONExplain, Describe, Summarize, Differentiate, Discuss, InterpretExplain, Describe, Summarize, Differentiate, Discuss, Interpret

Level 3 APPLICATIONLevel 3 APPLICATIONIllustrate, Use the Information, Apply, Demonstrate, Show, Solve, Illustrate, Use the Information, Apply, Demonstrate, Show, Solve,

Classify, DiscoverClassify, Discover Level 4 ANALYSISLevel 4 ANALYSIS

Break Down, Distinguish, Infer, Prioritize, Order, Justify, Classify, Break Down, Distinguish, Infer, Prioritize, Order, Justify, Classify, Arrange, DivideArrange, Divide

Level 5 SYNTHESISLevel 5 SYNTHESISIntegrate, Modify, Rearrange, Substitute, Plan, Create, Design, Integrate, Modify, Rearrange, Substitute, Plan, Create, Design, Invent, Invent,

Incorporate, Incorporate, Level 6 EVALUATIONLevel 6 EVALUATION

Decide, Rank, Test, Measure, Recommend, Support, Conclude, Decide, Rank, Test, Measure, Recommend, Support, Conclude, Compare, Appraise, DefendCompare, Appraise, Defend


Improving Speed and Improving Speed and ConcentrationConcentration

Whenever you are faced with having to Whenever you are faced with having to choose between comprehension and choose between comprehension and speed, choose comprehension every speed, choose comprehension every time.time.

Improving ConcentrationImproving Concentration

Speed and comprehension both require Speed and comprehension both require deep, mindful concentration. deep, mindful concentration.

Your body needs to be ready to Your body needs to be ready to concentrate. concentrate.

You need sleep, rest, and proper You need sleep, rest, and proper nutrition. It will be nearly impossible to nutrition. It will be nearly impossible to concentrate without them.concentrate without them.

Tips To Increase ConcentrationTips To Increase Concentration

Reduce outside distractions such as Reduce outside distractions such as people talking, rooms that are too hot or people talking, rooms that are too hot or cold, cell phones ringing, etc.cold, cell phones ringing, etc.

Reduce internal distractions such as Reduce internal distractions such as fatigue, self-talk, daydreaming, hunger, fatigue, self-talk, daydreaming, hunger, and emotions that cause you to think of and emotions that cause you to think of other things.other things.

Tips To Increase ConcentrationTips To Increase Concentration

Set a goal for reading “X” amount of Set a goal for reading “X” amount of material by “Y” time; helps you focus.material by “Y” time; helps you focus.

Take a short break every 20 minutes; Take a short break every 20 minutes; don’t get distracted and do something don’t get distracted and do something else; come back to your reading in 3 to else; come back to your reading in 3 to 5 minutes.5 minutes.

Take notes as you read. This helps Take notes as you read. This helps reading become an active processreading become an active process

Building VocabularyBuilding Vocabulary

The more words you have in your vocabulary, The more words you have in your vocabulary, the fewer times you will need to stop. the fewer times you will need to stop.

To increase your vocabulary for active To increase your vocabulary for active reading:reading:

Keep those words on a list that you can Keep those words on a list that you can review daily.review daily.

Make time to study your vocabulary list.Make time to study your vocabulary list. Work crossword puzzles or other word Work crossword puzzles or other word

games.games.

FixationFixation

Fixation is when your eyes stop on a Fixation is when your eyes stop on a single word to read it.single word to read it.

Your eyes stop for only a fraction of a Your eyes stop for only a fraction of a second, but those fractions add up over second, but those fractions add up over the course of a section or chapterthe course of a section or chapter

FixationFixation

To reduce your fixation time for active To reduce your fixation time for active reading:reading:

Practice seeing two or more words with Practice seeing two or more words with one fixation.one fixation.

As you practice, try to read in phrasesAs you practice, try to read in phrases

FrequencyFrequency

In order to build your speed and work In order to build your speed and work on your concentration, you must read on your concentration, you must read as much as possible. as much as possible.

The more you read, the more you The more you read, the more you improve your skills; nothing helps you improve your skills; nothing helps you read better than actually reading.read better than actually reading.

FrequencyFrequency

To increase your frequency for active To increase your frequency for active reading:reading:

Read every chance you get.Read every chance you get. Read a variety of materials (magazines, Read a variety of materials (magazines,

newspapers, novels).newspapers, novels). Don’t read just for learning, read for Don’t read just for learning, read for

pleasure as well.pleasure as well.

Get to the Point!Get to the Point!

Typically, each paragraph has a main idea. It Typically, each paragraph has a main idea. It is usually called a topic sentence.is usually called a topic sentence.

The topic statement is what the paragraph is The topic statement is what the paragraph is about. about.

Identifying the main idea of a paragraph can Identifying the main idea of a paragraph can greatly aid your comprehension of that greatly aid your comprehension of that paragraph and eventually the entire section paragraph and eventually the entire section or chapter.or chapter.

Topic of A ParagraphTopic of A Paragraph

The topic is the The topic is the subject of the subject of the paragraph.paragraph.

You can identify the topic by answering You can identify the topic by answering the question, “the question, “What or who is the What or who is the paragraph about?”paragraph about?”

Topic of A ParagraphTopic of A Paragraph

The topic statement should be The topic statement should be general general enough to cover all of the specifics enough to cover all of the specifics of of the paragraph.the paragraph.

The topic statement should be The topic statement should be specific specific enough to exclude other enough to exclude other paragraphs paragraphs on related topics.on related topics.

Using Using SQ3RSQ3R

SurveySurveyQuestionQuestionRead Read Recite Recite ReviewReviewCornerstone: Cornerstone: © 2006 by Pearson Education, 2006 by Pearson Education,

Inc.Inc.Building on Your Best for Career SuccessBuilding on Your Best for Career Success Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

SurveySurvey

The first step of SQ3R is to survey, or The first step of SQ3R is to survey, or pre-read, an assigned chapter. pre-read, an assigned chapter.

You begin by reading the title of the You begin by reading the title of the chapter, the headings, and each sub-chapter, the headings, and each sub-heading. heading.

Look carefully at the vocabulary, time Look carefully at the vocabulary, time lines, graphs, charts, pictures, and lines, graphs, charts, pictures, and drawings included in each chapter.drawings included in each chapter.

SurveySurvey

If there is a chapter summary, read it. If there is a chapter summary, read it. Surveying also includes reading the first Surveying also includes reading the first

and last sentence in each paragraph. and last sentence in each paragraph. Surveying is not a substitute for reading Surveying is not a substitute for reading

a chapter. a chapter. Reading is discussed later.Reading is discussed later.

QuestionQuestion

The second step is to question. The second step is to question. There are five common questions you There are five common questions you

should ask yourself when you are should ask yourself when you are reading a chapter: Who? When? What? reading a chapter: Who? When? What? Where? and Why? Where? and Why?

QuestionQuestion

As you survey and read your chapter, As you survey and read your chapter, try turning the information into questions try turning the information into questions and see if you can answer them. If you and see if you can answer them. If you do not know the answers to the do not know the answers to the questions, you should find them as you questions, you should find them as you read a long.read a long.

QuestionQuestion

Turn the major headings of each section Turn the major headings of each section into questions. into questions.

When you get to the end of the section, When you get to the end of the section, having carefully read the material, taken having carefully read the material, taken notes, and highlighted important notes, and highlighted important information, answer the question that information, answer the question that you posed at the beginning of the you posed at the beginning of the sectionsection

ReadRead

After you survey the chapter and After you survey the chapter and develop some questions to be develop some questions to be answered from the chapter, the next answered from the chapter, the next step is to read the chapter. step is to read the chapter.

Remember, surveying is not reading. Remember, surveying is not reading. There is no substitute for reading in There is no substitute for reading in

your success plan.your success plan.

ReadRead

Read slowly and carefully.Read slowly and carefully. Read through each section.Read through each section. Do not jump around or move ahead if Do not jump around or move ahead if

you do not understand the previous you do not understand the previous section.section.

Take notes while reading the text will Take notes while reading the text will commit the information to memory.commit the information to memory.

READING THEREADING THE CHAPTER CHAPTER

Read the Entire ParagraphRead the Entire Paragraph Before Before You Mark AnythingYou Mark Anything

Identify the ThesisIdentify the Thesis of Each Paragraph of Each Paragraph Highlight Highlight Key PhrasesKey Phrases Don’t HighlightDon’t Highlight Too Much; It Becomes Too Much; It Becomes

MeaninglessMeaningless Stop and Look UpStop and Look Up Words You Do Not Words You Do Not

KnowKnow Make Make Margin NotesMargin NotesCornerstone: Cornerstone: © 2006 by Pearson Education, 2006 by Pearson Education,

Inc.Inc.Building on Your Best for Career SuccessBuilding on Your Best for Career Success Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody Sherfield, Montgomery & Moody All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

ReciteRecite

Crucial StepCrucial Step Once you have read a section, ask Once you have read a section, ask

yourself this simple question: “What yourself this simple question: “What was that all about?”was that all about?”

Try to explain the information without Try to explain the information without looking at your notes.looking at your notes.

ReciteRecite

If you have trouble explaining the If you have trouble explaining the information, you probably did not information, you probably did not understand the section and you should understand the section and you should go back and reread it.go back and reread it.

If you can tell yourself exactly what you If you can tell yourself exactly what you just read and what it means, you are just read and what it means, you are ready to move on to the next section of ready to move on to the next section of the chapter.the chapter.

ReviewReview

After you read the chapter, immediately After you read the chapter, immediately go back and read it again. go back and read it again. “What?!! I “What?!! I just read it!” Yes, you did.just read it!” Yes, you did.

ReviewReview

The best way to determine whether you have The best way to determine whether you have mastered the information is to survey the mastered the information is to survey the chapter once again; review marginal notes, chapter once again; review marginal notes, highlighted areas, vocabulary words and highlighted areas, vocabulary words and determine whether you have any questions determine whether you have any questions that have not been answered. that have not been answered.

This step will help you store and retain this This step will help you store and retain this information in your long-term memoryinformation in your long-term memory

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tips for Making the Most of Your Reading TimeReading Time

Reduce the distractions around you. Reduce the distractions around you. Discover what time of day is best for Discover what time of day is best for

you to read and concentrate on your you to read and concentrate on your material.material.

Read with a healthy snack.Read with a healthy snack. Form questions about the material from Form questions about the material from

headings as you are reading.headings as you are reading.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tips for Making the Most of Your Reading TimeReading Time

Read in sections. Don’t try to read an Read in sections. Don’t try to read an entire chapter in one sitting. Break it entire chapter in one sitting. Break it down and take breaks.down and take breaks.

Never skip over words or phrases that Never skip over words or phrases that you don’t understand. Look them up!you don’t understand. Look them up!

Allow yourself enough time to read the Allow yourself enough time to read the material effectively.material effectively.

Quotations forQuotations forREFLECTIONREFLECTION

““Psychologists and students have found that merely running Psychologists and students have found that merely running your eyes over words does not guarantee learning.” your eyes over words does not guarantee learning.”

AAP Student Service AAP Student Service ““Words are the basis of human communication and enable Words are the basis of human communication and enable

people to convey their thoughts and emotions to each people to convey their thoughts and emotions to each other.”other.” AAP Student ServiceAAP Student Service

““A poor vocabulary severely limits your reading A poor vocabulary severely limits your reading

comprehension and speed.”comprehension and speed.” Brenda D. SmithBrenda D. Smith ““Active readers work hard to develop the attitude and study Active readers work hard to develop the attitude and study

habits that help them get the most they can out of every habits that help them get the most they can out of every reading assignment.”reading assignment.” Carol KanarCarol Kanar


Unit To Do ListUnit To Do List

Read Chapter 4:“Read", in your Read Chapter 4:“Read", in your textbook, Cornerstone textbook, Cornerstone

Attend the SeminarAttend the Seminar Post to the Discussion BoardPost to the Discussion Board Take the QuizTake the Quiz Schedule your Interview!!! (If you Schedule your Interview!!! (If you

haven’t already done so)haven’t already done so)

QuestionsQuestions

Please pose any questions you may Please pose any questions you may have over the readings, Discussion have over the readings, Discussion Board or anything else for this week.Board or anything else for this week.

LS100: EIGHT SKILLS OF THE EFFECTIVE LEGAL STUDIES STUDENT n Instructor: Janice Merilus, Esq. n...

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