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Bridging the Gap: College Reading (Book alone), 9/E
Brenda D. Smith, Georgia State University

ISBN-10: 032144602X
ISBN-13: 9780321446022

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2008
Format: Paper; 672 pp
Published: 03/01/2007

Suggested retail price: $72.00
Not available for purchase at this time.

Written for the mid to high-level developmental reading course, Bridging the Gap by Brenda Smith continues to be the most popular textbook choice of developmental reading educators.

 

Bridging the Gap was the first book to focus on how to read college textbooks. This theme has been broadened by linking textbook readings to recent news in the popular press and adding material on critical thinking and the Internet. A hallmark of the text, the end-of-chapter readings, represent the “bridges” of text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self; and their layered reading levels permit individualization of assignments to meet varying student needs. A variety of academic disciplines are represented throughout, including psychology, history, biology, business, allied health, and English literature.

  • "Concept Preps.” At the end of reading selections, “Concept Preps” present commonly known key concepts that lie at the core of each academic area to develop a schema of major concepts and people in the academic disciplines.
  • Variety of academic disciplines. The major academic disciplines are represented in both the shorter and longer textbook readings and “Concept Preps.”
  • Flexible organization. The chapters may be used in their progressive sequence or taught as a separate unit to meet individual class or student needs.
  • Varying reading levels. The end-of-chapter readings represent varying levels of difficulty to reflect the diversity of student needs.
  • Paired readings. Each longer, end-of-chapter textbook selection is linked with a short non-textbook excerpt, called “Contemporary Focus,” demonstrating the real-world relevance of the text selection.
  • “Reader's Tips.” Placed at pivotal points of the instruction, these boxes give easy-to-find advice, condensing strategies for improving reading into practical hints for quick reference.
  • Four-color design. Color photographs and full-color design make Bridging the Gap an attractive and engaging text.
  • “Vocabulary Booster.” In-chapter vocabulary activities introducing more than 200 words focus on linking and learning words through word parts or word families.
  • “Establish a Purpose for Reading.” These preview activities appear before the longer reading selections.
  • “Search the Net.” These collaborative, end-of-reading activities expand on the longer reading selections, directing students to topic-specific Web sites and providing tips on how to read on the Internet.
  • Learning skills. Chapter 1 includes practical information on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. Students can discover their innate strengths by looking at eight different ways to be smart and respond to an associated self-inventory on the text’s Web site.

  • Fresh Readings. 50% of the longer readings, 30% of the shorter practice passages, and at least half of the Contemporary Focus articles that accompany the longer selections are new to the ninth edition.
  • More Exercises.  New exercises and examples were added for main idea, inference, fact vs. opinion, bias, purpose, tone, patterns of organization, and summary writing. 
  • Updated “Search the Net” activities. The activities for all reading selections have been updated.

An Overview of Bridging the Gap.
1. Active Learning.

What Is Active Learning?

What Is Cognitive Psychology?

How Does the Brain Screen Messages?

Is Divided Attention Effective?

Can Tasks Become Automatic?

Automatic Aspects of Reading.

Cognitive Styles

Multiple Intelligences: There is More than One Way to be Smart

What Is Concentration?

Poor Concentration: Causes and Cures.

External Distractions.

Internal Distractions.

   Reader's Tip: Improving Concentration.

Successful Academic Behaviors.

   Reader's Tip: Managing E-Mail Efficiently.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Computer Science.

Contemporary Focus: “Police in India to Monitor Cybercafes” from the Associated Press.

“Security and Privacy for Computers and the Internet” by H. L. Capron.

Search the Net.

Concept Prep for Computer Science.

Selection 2: Psychology.

Contemporary Focus:

“Critical-Period Hypothesis” by James V. McConnell.

Search the Net

Concept Prep for Psychology.

Selection 3: Health.

Contemporary Focus:

“Steroids” by Rebecca J. Donatelle

Search the Net.

 

2. Vocabulary.

Remembering New Words.

Using Context Clues.

Definition or Synonym.

Elaborating Details.

Examples.

Comparison.

Contrast.

Antonyms.

Limitations of Context Clues.

Multiple Meanings of a Word.

Understanding the Structure of Words.

Using a Dictionary.

Word Origins.

Using a Glossary.

Using a Thesaurus.

Using Analogies.

Reader's Tip: Categories of Analogy Relationships.

Easily Confused Words.

Recognizing Acronyms.

Recognizing Transitional Words.

Reader's Tip: Signals for Transition.

Summary Points.

Search the Net

Vocabulary Booster: Over, Under, Around and Through

 

3. Strategic Reading and Study.

What is Strategic Reading?

What are the Stages of Reading?

Stage 1: Previewing.

Signposts for Answering Preview Questions.

Reader's Tip: Asking Questions Before Reading.

Preview to Activate Schemata.

Stage 2: Integrating Knowledge While Reading.

Expanding Knowledge.

Integrating Ideas: How Do Good Readers Think?

Reader's Tip: Using Thinking Strategies While Reading.

Metacognition.

Reader's Tip: Developing a Metacognitive Sense for Reading.

Stage 3: Recalling for Self-Testing.

Recall by Writing.

Reader's Tip: Recalling After Reading.

How to Recall.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: History.

Contemporary Focus:

Concept Prep for History.

Selection 2: Sociology.

Contemporary Focus:

“Unity in Diversity” by Donald Light, Jr., and Suzanne Keller.

Concept Prep for Anthropology.

Selection 3: Business.

Contemporary Focus:

“On the Front Lines of the Service Sector” by John R. Walker

Search the Net

 

4. Main Idea.

What is a Topic?

What is a Main Idea?

What are Supporting Details?

Distinguishing Topics, Main Ideas, and Details: A Closer Look.

Main Idea Strategies.

“Informed” Expert Readers.

“Uninformed” Expert Readers.

Using Main Idea Strategies with Sentences.

Questioning for the Main Idea.
Stated Main Ideas.

Reader's Tip: Finding the Main Idea.

What are Major and Minor Details?

Reader's Tip: Signals for Significance.

Unstated Main Ideas.

Determining Unstated Main Ideas in Sentences.

Interpreting the Main Idea of Longer Selections.

Reader's Tip: Getting the Main Idea of Longer Selections.

Summary Writing: A Main Idea Skill.

Why Summarize?

Reader's Tip: How to Summarize.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Psychology.

Contemporary Focus: “Centers Strive to Break Cycle of Violence” from the Herald-Dispatch .

“Monkey Love” by James V. McConnell.

Concept Prep for Psychology.

Selection 2: Short Story

Contemporary Focus:

“On the Sidewalk Bleeding,” by Evan Hunter.

Concept Prep for Literature.

Selection 3: Criminal Justice.

Contemporary Focus:

“Female Police Officer,” by Joseph J. Senna and Larry J. Siegel

Concept Prep for Criminal Justice.

Search the Net

Vocabulary Booster: Who’s Who in Medicine?

 

5. Patterns of Organization.

Textbook Organization.

What Do Transitional Words Do?

Reader's Tip: Signal Words for Transition.

Patterns of Organization in Textbooks.

Simple Listing.

Definition.

Description.

Time Order or Sequence.

Contrast.

Comparison.

Comparison and Contrast.

Cause and Effect.

Classification.

Addition.

Summary.

Location or Spatial Order.

Generalization and Example.

Reader's Tip: Patterns of Organization and Signal Words.

Mixed Organizational Patterns.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Narrative.

Contemporary Focus:

“What I Did for Love” by Macarena del Rocio Hernandez.

Search the Net.

Selection 2: History.

Contemporary Focus:

“Women in History” by Leonard Pitt.

Search the Net.

Concept Prep for Art History.

Selection 3: Business.

Contemporary Focus: “Low Carb Pizza Options” from The Omaha World Herald .

“Why is Papa John’s Rolling in the Dough?” by Courtland Bovee, John Thill, Barbara Schatzman.

Search the Net.

Concept Prep for Business.

Vocabulary Booster: What’s In, What’s Out? What’s Hot, What’s Not?

 

6. Organizing Textbook Information.

The Demands of College Study.

Building Knowledge Networks.

Methods of Organizing Textbook Information.

Annotating.

Reader's Tip: How to Annotate.

Notetaking.

Reader's Tip: How to Take Notes.

Outlining.

Reader's Tip: Avoiding Pitfalls in Outlining.

Mapping.

Reader's Tip: How to Map.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Communications.

Contemporary Focus: “Media-Promoted Morals Cloud Judgment” from The Sentry .

“Influence of Magazines” by John Vivian.

Search the Net.

Concept Prep for Communication.

Selection 2: Allied Health.

Contemporary Focus: “Signs of Stress” from the Kansas City Star .

“Nutrition, Health, and Stress” by Barbara Brehm.

Concept Prep for Health.

Vocabulary Booster: The Sun, The Moon, The Stars.

Concept Prep for Health. 

Selection 3: Criminal Justice.

Contemporary Focus:

“Electronic Monitoring” by Joseph J. Senna and Larry J. Siegel

Search the Net

 

7. Inference.

What Is an Inference?

Connotation of Words.

Figurative Language.

Idioms.

Similes.

Metaphors.

Literary Analogies.

Hyperbole.

Personification.

Verbal Irony.

Figurative Language and Implied Meaning in Poetry.

Inferences from Facts.

Appropriate and Inappropriate Inferences.

Implied Meaning.

Prior Knowledge and Implied Meaning.

Expanding Prior Knowledge.

Drawing Conclusions.

Reader's Tip: Making Inferences.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Short Story.

Contemporary Focus:

“A Dip in the Poole,” by Bill Pronzini

Search the Net.

Concept Prep for Philosophy and Literature.

Selection 2: Short Story.

Contemporary Focus:

“Witches’ Loaves” by O. Henry.

Selection 3: Narrative Nonfiction.

Contemporary Focus: “Remembering a Civil Rights Hero” from The Dartmouth .

“Learning to Read: Malcolm X,” from The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley.

Search the Net.

Concept Prep for Political Science.

Vocabulary Booster: Can I Get that in Writing?

 

8. Point of View.

Is a Textbook Influenced by the Author's Point of View?

What Is the Author's Point of View?

What Is the Reader's Point of View?

What Is a Fact and What Is an Opinion?

Reader's Tip: Questioning to Uncover Bias.

What Is the Author's Purpose?

What Is the Author's Tone?

Reader's Tip: Recognizing an Author's Tone.

Editorial Cartoons.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Essay.

Contemporary Focus:

“What is the Quarterlife Crisis?” by Alexandra Robbins and Abby Wilner

Search the Net.

Selection 2: Communications

Contemporary Focus:

“Gender Gap in Cyberspace” by Deborah Tannen

Search the Net.

Selection 3: Sociology

Contemporary Focus

“The Big Win: Life after the Lottery” by James Henslin

Search the Net.

Vocabulary Booster.

 

9. Critical Thinking.

What Is Thinking?

What Is Critical Thinking?

Applying Skills to Meet College Goals.

Reader's Tip: How to Think Critically.

Barriers to Critical Thinking.

Recognizing an Argument.

Steps in Analyzing an Argument.

Step 1: Identify the Position on the Issue.

Step 2: Identify Support for the Argument.

Reader's Tip: Categories of Support for Arguments.

Step 3: Evaluate the Support.

Step 4: Evaluate the Argument.

Inductive and Deductive Reasoning.

Applying the Four-Step Format for Critical Thinking:

An Example.

Explanation of the Steps.

Creative and Critical Thinking.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Essay.

Contemporary Focus:

“The Importance of Being Beautiful” by Sidney Katz.

Selection 2: Essay.

Contemporary Focus:

“Study Links Cell Phones to Brain Damage” by Elizabeth Svodoba.

Selection 3: Essay.

Contemporary Focus:

“How Boys Become Men” by Jon Katz.

Vocabulary Booster: Lights, Camera, Action!

10. Graphic Illustrations.

What Graphics Do.

Diagrams.

Reader's Tip: How to Read Graphic Material.

Tables.

Maps.

Pie Graphs.

Bar Graphs.

Cumulative Bar Graphs.

Line Graphs.

Flowcharts.

Summary Points.

Selection 1: Economics.

Contemporary Focus:

“The Prince of Monaco” by E. Gene Frankland

Search the Net

Concept Prep for Economics.

Vocabulary Booster: Play It Again, Sam

Selection 2: Science

Contemporary Focus

“Effects of Earthquakes” by

Search the Net

Selection 3: Sociology

Contemporary Focus

“Technology and the Environment” by John J. Macionis

Search the Net.

 

11. Rate Flexibility.

Why Is Rate Important?

What Is Your Reading Rate?

How Fast Should You Read?

Rate Variations and Prior Knowledge.

Techniques for Faster Reading.

Concentrate.

Stop Regressing.

Expand Fixations.

Monitor Subvocalization.

Preview.

Use Your Pen as a Pacer.

Push and Pace.

Skimming.

Reader's Tip: Techniques for Skimming.

Scanning.

Reader's Tip: Techniques for Scanning.

Summary Points.

Vocabulary Booster: Foreign Terms.

 

12. Test Taking.

Can Being Test Wise Improve Your Score?

Strategies for Mental and Physical Awareness.

Before Taking a Test.

Reader's Tip: Preparing for a Test.

During the Test.

After the Test.

Strategies for Standardized Reading Tests.

Read to Comprehend the Passage as a Whole.

Anticipate What Is Coming Next.

Read Rapidly, But Don't Allow Yourself to Feel Rushed.

Read with Involvement to Learn and Enjoy.

Self-Test for the Main Idea.

Recognizing the Major Question Types.

Main Idea.

Details.

Implied Meaning.

Purpose.

Strategies for Multiple-Choice Items.

Consider All Alternatives Before Choosing an Answer.

Anticipate the Answer and Look for Something Close to It.

Avoid Answers with 100 Percent Words.

Consider Answers with Qualifying Words.

Choose the Intended Answer Without Overanalyzing.

True Statements Must Be True Without Exception.

If Two Options Are Synonymous, Eliminate Both.

Study Similar Options to Determine the Differences.

Use Logical Reasoning If Two Answers Are Correct.

Look Suspiciously at Directly Quoted Pompous Phrases.

Simplify Double Negatives by Canceling Out Both.

Use Can't-Tell Responses If Clues Are Insufficient.

Validate True Responses on “All of the Following Except.

Note Oversights on Hastily Constructed Tests.

Strategies for Content Area Exams.

Multiple-Choice Items.

Short-Answer Items.

Essay Questions.

Reader's Tip: Key Words in Essay Questions.

Locus of Control.

Summary Points.  

Appendix: ESL: Making Sense of Figurative Language and Idioms.

Glossary.

Index.

 

 

    Bridging the Gap connects college-level material and the texts of the time to equip students with skill instruction, reading strategies, and exercises that encourage critical thinking.

     

    Continuing to be the #1 textbook choice for college reading courses, Bridging the Gap teaches, models, and offers practice in the reading and study skills necessary for understanding and retaining the material in college textbooks. This theme has been broadened by linking textbook readings to recent news in the popular press, representing the “bridges” of text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self.  Each chapter offers selections at three different reading levels for greater flexibility in meeting student needs. A variety of academic disciplines are represented throughout, including psychology, history, biology, business, allied health, and English literature.

     

  • 0205574858Bridging the Gap: College Reading (with MyReadingLab), 9/E
    Smith
    © 2008 | Longman | Paper Bound with PIN; 672 pages | Out of Stock
    ISBN-10: 0205574858 | ISBN-13: 9780205574858
    Brief Description

For Intermediate Reading (9-12 grade level)


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