Houghton Mifflin College Reading Series, Book 3 - 2nd edition

1. Improving Reading and Thinking

Reading and Better Thinking
How to Improve Reading Skills
How This Book Will Help You Improve Your Reading
Reading Strategy: Active Reading
Reading Selections: Textbook Selection, "New Americans from Europe," from Making America; Magazine Selection, "We Have Been Here Before," George F. Will; Literary Selection, "In the American Society," Gish Jen
Vocabulary: Using the Dictionary

2. Main Ideas

General and Specific
Determining the Topic
Determining the Main Idea
The Topic Sentence
Locations of Topic Sentences
Longer Selections: Topic, Main Idea, and Thesis
Reading Selection: "The Honesty Virus," Clive Thompson
Vocabulary: Synonyms
Reading Strategy: Creating and Effective Reading Environment

3. Supporting Details, Mapping, and Outlining

Supporting Details
Major and Minor Details
Transitions
Mapping and Outlining
Reading Longer Selections
Reading Selection: "The Legacy of Generation N," Christy Haubegger
Vocabulary: Context and Meaning
Reading Strategy: Reading and Time Management

4. Implied Main Ideas

Understanding Implied Main Ideas
Determining Implied Main Ideas
Reading Longer Selections
Reading Selection: From "Lives in the Balance," Mike Rose
Vocabulary: The Definition/Restatement Context Clue
Reading Strategy: SQ3R

5. Transitions

Characteristics of Transitions
Transition Words That Indicate a Series
Transition Words That Indicate Time Order
Transition Words That Indicate Cause/Effect
Transition Words That Indicate Comparison/Contrast
Transition Words That Indicate Definition
Transitions in Combinations of Patterns
Reading Longer Selections
Reading Selection: "A Potpourri of Pooches," Peter Tyson
Vocabulary: The Explanation Context Clue
Reading Strategy: Summarizing

6. Patterns of Organization

Topic Sentences
Series
Time Order
Cause/Effect
Comparison/Contrast
Definition
Combination of Patterns
Reading Longer Selections
Reading Selection: "Southern Comforts," Ann Patchett
Vocabulary: The Example Context Clue
Reading Strategy: Taking Notes

7. Inferences

Making Inferences
Guidelines for Making Accurate Inferences
Making Inferences in Literature
Reading Selection: "India's American Imports," Adam Hochschild
Vocabulary: The Contrast Context Clue
Reading Strategy: Keeping a Reading Journal

8. Purpose and Tone

Purpose
Bias and Tone
Reading Selection: "The False Controversy of Stem Cells," Michael Kinsley
Vocabulary: Formal vs. Informal Language
Reading Strategy: REAP

9. Critical Reading I

The Two Components of Argument: Point and Support
Reading Selection: "Debunking the Digital Divide," Robert J. Samuelson
Vocabulary: Figures of Speech
Reading Strategy: Skimming

10. Critical Reading II

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
Informed vs. Uninformed Opinion
Logical Fallacies
Deciding for Yourself
Reading Selection: "Blowing Smoke on Taxes," from Harvard Crimson
Vocabulary: Review
Reading Strategy: Scanning
Combined Skills Tests
"In 2000 Years, Will the World Remember Disney or Plato?" Mark Rice-Oxley
"Cubicle with a View," Liza Mundy
"Superhero Nation," James Poniewozik
"Communication Functions: Character and Personality," Martin S. Remland