Mapa mental
STUDY SKILLS
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STUDY SKILLS
Following instructions
- When filling in official documents, it is important to read and follow the instructions carefully, for example: ■ Use black ink only. ■ Please print/ Write in BLOCK CAPITALS. ■ Tick ■ Please specify (give more details). ■ Delete (cross out) as appropriate. ■ Circle the correct answer.
Reading methods
- You usually have a reason for reading something. That reason changes the way you read, and the time you spend on a text. Think about what you want from the text, and decide the best way to get it. For example: ■ Skim a journal to find an article of interest. ■ Scan an article for specific information. ■ Read relevant parts of an article intensively to make notes.
Checking your writing
- Every time you write, remember to check your work for; ■ capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for proper nouns (names of people, cities, and countries) ■ full stops at the end of sentences ■ question marks at the end of questions ■ spelling mistakes. Use a dictionary or computer spellchecker to check your spelling. Keep a record of any words you misspell. Learn the correct spelling.
A dictionary entry
- Choose an English-English dictionary and make sure it is a recent edition. Dictionaries include a lot of useful information. For example: ■ parts of speech ■ stress ■ pronunciation ■ definitions ■ example sentences Be careful! Some words have more than one meaning and use. Make sure you look at the correct part of a definition.
Recording vocabulary (1)
- It is important to keep a record of new vocabulary. You may wish to keep these records in a vocabulary notebook or in a special vocabulary file on the computer. Wherever you record new vocabulary, it is helpful to note more than the translation. Also note, for example: ■ the pronunciation ■ the stressed syllables ■ part of speech ■ associated words and grammar, eg. a biography of someone
Skimming and scanning
- Remember there are two ways of reading quickly: ■ skimming for the general idea ■ scanning for particular information
Brainstorming ideas
- Before you write, think about the topic. Work with a partner or in a group. ■ Use a diagram to help you organize your thoughts. ■ Decide on topic areas, and think of examples. ■ Write notes and single words on the diagram. ■ Don’t discard any ideas or thoughts at this stage. ■ Don’t worry about what is more or less important at this stage. When you finish brainstorming ideas, choose which ideas you want to use in your writing, and decide on a logical order from them.
Linking ideas (1)
- Linking ideas in a clear and logical way is part of good writing. Use but, however, and although to contrast two ideas. Look at sentences a and b. Compare the way but, however, and although are used to link them. What differences are there? a The official language is French. b Many people speak a little English. The official language is French, but many people speak a little English. The official language is French. However, many people speak a little English. Although the official language is French, many people speak a little English. The official language is French, although many people speak a little English.
Synonyms and antonyms
- A synonym is a word or phrase that has the same meaning as another word or phrase. An antonym is a word or a phrase that means the opposite of another word or phrase.