7 Previewing
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the steps in the preview phase of the reading process.
- Differentiate between expository, argumentative, and narrative forms of writing.
- Apply steps of previewing to an academic text.
Why Preview?
Never start reading without taking the time to prepare your mind for the task. It may seem like a waste of time: why not start the reading immediately so you can finish sooner? However, the extra step of previewing may actually save time, and even if it does not, you will understand the text more deeply and gain more from the reading experience.
Previewing gives you a roadmap for the reading task, just as a navigation system in your car gives you the pathway for your journey. You may need to make adjustments as you read or as you drive, but previewing provides a general map just like a navigation system.
The purpose of previewing a text before reading is three-fold.
- Previewing allows you to assess the length and complexity of the reading task. Is it a long or short reading? Are the paragraphs dense or shorter in length? Are there headings to guide the organization or not? This helps you to determine how much time you might need to complete the reading. Lengthier texts with longer paragraphs and few headings may require more time.
- Previewing gives you the chance to assess your prior knowledge about the topic of the text before you start reading. Are you familiar with the topic or is it brand new? What do you already know about the topic? If you are unfamiliar with the content, you may need to spend more time with the text.
- Previewing is like a warm-up for your brain. Previewing builds your engagement before even starting the reading as you take the time to make predictions and ask questions about the reading. This will help you to stay alert and focused as you read.
How Do You Preview a Text?
There is no one method, and it often depends on the type of text; but here is a general process you can follow if you are new to previewing. The best way to preview is to have a printed copy of the text so that you can write thoughts and questions in the margins while previewing. If you cannot write on the text, consider using post-it notes or writing your ideas on paper.
Remember this as you preview: Your predictions do not have to be accurate. Their purpose is to activate your brain and to help you engage with the writing. When you read the text later, you can read to confirm or revise your predictions.
Previewing Steps
By following these steps, you will stimulate your brain before reading and be able to engage with the ideas in the text.
- Read the title (and subtitle, if there is one). What does it reveal about the text? What does it make you think about? What questions do you have? Write down your predictions and questions.
- If there is an introduction, read it. (If the introduction is not clearly marked, read the first paragraph or two.) What does it reveal about the article? What does it make you think about? What questions do you have? Write down your predictions and questions.
- If there are headings or subheading, scan the article to read them. For each, pause and write down your predictions and questions. (If there are no headings or subheadings, you could read the first sentences of paragraphs to predict the focus of the article.)
- If there are visuals (picture, graphs, diagrams, etc.), examine them and read the captions. How do you think they might relate to the article? Write down your predictions and questions.
- If there are vocabulary words marked in the reading, scan them and make sure you know their meanings. Use a dictionary to find meanings or synonyms for unfamiliar words.
- Finally, read the conclusion or end of the text. Again, write down your predictions and questions.
Identifying the Type of Text
Being able to identify the type of writing can help you to comprehend the author’s thesis (overall main idea) and purpose (the reason for writing the article). The later chapters of this textbook include articles that fall into three categories of writing: narrative, expository, and argumentative. Below is a brief overview of how to differentiate the three.
Narrative, Expository, and Argumentative Writing
Narrative
A narrative tells a story. In narrative essays, writers often tell stories about their own lives. This is called a personal narrative. A writer always has a purpose or reason for writing a story. For example, a writer might tell a story about an experience that taught a life lesson.
Expository Writing
An expository piece of writing is more objective than a narrative or argument. The purpose is to convey detailed information about a topic. Different forms of organization may be used, such as describing with specific details, laying out a process or steps for completing a task, showing causes or effects, explaining similarities and differences, or giving examples of a concept. Multiple methods of organization may be used in a single essay.
Argumentative Writing
An argument presents a debatable claim or position about an issue and presents reasons and evidence to support that claim. Evidence may take the form of expert opinions, data or statistics, research studies, scholarly articles/books/reports, examples, and personal experience.
Additional Notes
- Sometimes, multiple types of writing are used together. For example, a writer may present a narrative but also make an argument within the same essay.
- Research, while most commonly associated with argumentative writing, may be used in all three types of writing.
- As you preview the different articles in the text, look for clues to help you predict the type of writing. It is okay if your prediction is incorrect, as you can always adjust it as you read the text.
Apply Previewing to Your Academic Reading
Now that you have read about previewing, apply the strategies to your academic reading assignments. If you already preview reading assignments, then consider what adjustments you want to make to your current process. Keep in mind that the way you preview a text may change depending on its length, complexity, and organization. For example, a reading without headings and subheadings requires a different approach than a reading with them.
To see an example of an annotated, previewed article, click here. When you open the document, you will notice that there are notes in the margins
Use the practice exercise below to experiment with previewing.
Practice: Preview a Text
Skim through the Table of Contents to find an article in this book that appeals to you. Print the article. Practice applying the preview phase of the reading process.
In the next chapter, you will use the predictions, questions, and notes from previewing to guide your reading of the article you chose.