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Reading Instructions and Technical Manuals Instructional reading matter comes in many shapes and forms- from a few words in miniscule print in a medicine bottle label to, or on a small card 0n the back of a plug outlining wiring procedures, to a manual for the maintenance of a jet aircraft, running to a dozen heavy volumes. This enormous range of written material, varying widely in length and in the level of technical sophistication presumed of the readership does, however share a communicative purpose. It is designed to ensure that certain goal-oriented physical actions are carried out as effectively and efficiently as possible. The reader of instructional material, therefore, is not surprised to find that the writer in an effort to reach the desired smooth operation of the task may often include descriptive and explanatory statements which motivate and justify the procedures being advocated. The physical actions triggered by the instructions may involve the sense organs(as in recipes), or several parts of the body(as in sports training manuals) but most typically focus on hand movements. Every career-technical area includes technical materials, such as manuals, reference books, specifications, and on-line help menus, that require special skills in reading. Mastering skills in technical reading is critical to your ability to solve problems on the job, which, in turn, is critical to your success and advancement Lets begin by talking about what we mean by technical reading. Reference manuals are similar to textbooks in many ways. Think about reading a textbook for this class. What are some aspects of reading any textbook that can pose a problem? (Answers may include unfamiliar vocabulary, finding answers, comprehending, etc.) . Technical reading includes all of the following: 1) understanding technical vocabulary; 2) understanding and using parts of books to locate information; 3) understanding how a manual is organized; 4) making sense of tables and other graphics;

5) comprehending what you read; 6) applying what you read, including following technical directions.

Parts of a textbook/manual Like textbooks, manuals generally have a table of contents (in the front of the book), an index (in the back of the book), a glossary (the last chapters in the book), and possibly an appendix with additional information. The table of contents is the first clue to how a manual or text is organized. It shows what is covered in the book and on what pages these sections begin. Often, the table of contents will also list main topics with subheadings under them. In the case of a textbook, this can serve as an excellent note taking outline and review guide for tests.

At the back of most books, you will find an index, which is an alphabetical listing of topics/key words and page numbers listed after them. The index can be used to locate information, but you will note that there are several page references after any given word or phrase. Why is that? It means that those words/ideas are referenced several places in the book. You may have to look at several of them to find what you are looking for. In technical manualssuch as computer manuals, VCR manuals, etc.there is often a separate troubleshooting guide that lists specific problems and how to solve them. Text organization Within any text, the material will be organized in a certain way and will be presented graphically/structurally in a manner that is repeated so that the document is consistent. As an example, if you watch a movie or t.v. program, you are used to titles and program credits being presented in a certain manner and at a certain time in the program. Because it is consistent, you know where to look for that information. Lets look first at how material is organized. In a history book, you would expect to find material presented chronologically, wouldnt you? In a math book, you would expect to find material presented sequentially, from easier to harder/more advanced. In a career-technical textbook the author is trying to instruct you. This is done by starting with basic concepts and skills and moving on to more advanced and complex skills and concepts. Sometimes each chapter contains a unitsuch as a unit on brakes in an auto class or a unit on the gastrointestinal system in a medical classand within that unit skills and concepts are arranged from simpler to more complex. Examples:

Field Computer

Easier Connecting the peripheral devices to a computer. Identifying different medications

Harder Build a computer using individual computer parts Identifying a conflict with using different medication at the same times Using a diagnostic unit to locate and repair engine faults

Medical

Automotiv e

Changing spark plugs

In a reference or technical manual the author is trying to give directions and/or answers to specific questions or problems. Information is arranged logically, often with all similar topics together. Examples: Field Computer Medical Automotiv e Related Information Using images in a web page Symptoms and treatment of specific disorders Diagnostic checks for brake repair

The key to mastering a particular technical or reference book is to figure out how it is organized. And the key to understanding that is to notice patternsthings that are repeated over and over. This include headings and subheadings, section overviews or table of contents, introductions, summaries, etc. Practice: Read the Directions! Directions: Did you know that reading the directions is an extremely important strategy for tests? Read the directions on this sheet carefully. Circle the words that indicate what you are being asked to do, such as compare, contrast,

antonym, synonym, solve, same and opposite. There may be more than one word to circle for each set of directions. 1. Place the following events in chronological order from last to first. 2. The passage below is followed by questions based on its content. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated in the passage. 3. According to the author, The Matrix is a weak film because 4. Each question below consists of a related pair of words or phrases, followed by five pairs of words or phrases labeled A through E. Now, raise your head and eyes from these directions and make eye contact with your teacher for extra-credit. Then, select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair. 5. Over which of the following countries has this flag never flown? 6. Of all the following statements, which would a historian least be able to establish as true? 7. Which of the following was an immediate cause for the fall of the Roman Empire? 8. The fraction 30/48 equals all of the following except 9. Below you will read a series of statements about photosynthesis. Which of the following statements are not true? 10. If the truck that was carrying a shipment of 10,000 apples got into an accident and 25% of the shipment was lost, then how many of the apples were lost in the accident? 1. The square root of 48 is between which of the following