Lecture Notes: Big Picture Reading for LSAT Reading Comprehension

Introduction

• Presenter: Patrick from LSAT Lab
• Topic: Big Picture Reading in Reading Comprehension
• Goals:
  • Extract key information from the passage, akin to briefing a case in law school
  • Recognize various question types and their strategies
  • Master answering techniques; answers can be wrong due to a single word

Key Concepts in Reading Comprehension

Chunking Information

• Memory Technique: Chunking makes large lists more manageable by grouping information
  • Example: Remembering 1592, 65, 35, 89, 79 vs. individual numbers
• Purpose in Reading: Create memorable chunks to remember key ideas from passages
• Application: Group items into categories to facilitate recall (e.g., Italian meal, breakfast items)
• Analogy: Compression algorithm or zip file for thoughts
• Steps:
  • Pause and digest the material
  • Create labels for chunks (e.g., generalizations and specifics)

Organizing Frameworks

• Three-Act Structure: Most stories and passages follow a setup, conflict/climax, and resolution/falling action
• Standardized Test Formula: Few different genres of reading comp passages, get used to them
• Frameworks Example:
  • Controversial position → author’s attack/defense
  • Neutral examination of a point of view
  • Puzzling question → answer
  • Noteworthy figure or event
• Key Sentences:
  • Transition into pivot words
  • Ask you to zip up the read material and check the author's position
  • Examples: “however,” “recently,” “because”

Framework Vocabulary & Tools

• Simple formulas to predict passage structures
• Key Structures:
  • Old view vs. new view
  • Side one vs. side two debate
  • Generalization and specific example
• Reading Strategy: pause regularly to chunk and label blanks

Practical Example

Passage Breakdown (Irish Landscape Study)

1. First Paragraph: Setup and Central Topic
   • Tracing the changing face of the Irish landscape using documents
   • Introduces the problem: documents are fragmentary
2. Second Paragraph: Author's Position
   • Author criticizes reliance on documents → new method: pollen grain fossils
   • Emphasize: pollen grain as a supplementary means
3. Third & Fourth Paragraphs: Examples
   • Examples showing pollen grain overcoming documentary limitations
4. Fifth Paragraph: Author’s Final Position
   • Authors opinion: Pollen grains can’t solve all problems but are a useful tool

Skills for Better Reading Comprehension

• Warm Up to Topic: Break sentences into bite-sized pieces if needed
• Picking Framework: Choose an organizing structure to simplify the passage
• Listening to the Author: Identify the author's voice and big idea pivot points
  • Look for words: “but,” “yet,” “however”

Types of Reading Comp Questions

1. Big picture: Main point, passage organization
2. Detail purpose: Purpose of a word, paragraph, or detail
3. Opinions: Author's attitude, what characters/people think
4. Detail location: Fetching specific details
5. Derivation: Logical connections between details
6. Flexible tasks: Strengthen, weaken, add a new sentence

Example Questions

1. Main Point Question:
   • Correct answer: “pollen is a useful tool to trace changes in the Irish landscape”
   • Traps: Misplaced emphasis, contradicting examples, overemphasis on last details
2. Relating Paragraphs Question:
   • Correct answer: “Fifth paragraph qualifies the claim in the second”
   • Vocab Highlight: “Qualify” a claim means to specify exceptions or limit scope

Conclusion & Further Practice

• Big Picture Skills: Focus today was on extracting essential ideas and using frameworks
• Future Lessons: More on breaking down specific question types
• Additional Resources: Explore more videos at LSATLab.com or on YouTube