We have been working with text on a basic level – simply figuring out how the author has communicated directly (how they organized their work, and what it is they are trying to convey.) This is an important set of reading skills, and you will use this in many areas of your life, including academia. There is another quite important role here for using basic comprehension strategies; these form a vital skill set as the basis for higher level thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, and creativity.

The important thing about author’s style is that we need to pay attention to the author’s use of subtleties in order to better comprehend. English language is filled with nuances. Authors get their meaning across by using a number of tools:

• inference,
• word choice,
• use of facts,
• and use of opinions.

This section focuses upon how to identify and use these elements for reading and comprehension.