Author Description

The first in a two-book developmental reading series, Steps emphasizes the idea of reading as a three-step process in a "prepare-read-respond" strategy, stressing the importance of pre-reading - preparing to read. This book offers more assistance to students with the pre-reading step than other texts. Steps reinforces the prepare step with pre-reading questions prior to each reading selection. Reading passages cover a broad range of topics that will interest students and be relevant to their college work. Chapters contain numerous short pieces for illustration and practice and move to longer pieces for more sustained reading. However, because the book is designed for the more basic course, the readings are always of a manageable length for students. Steps differs from its more advanced companion text, The Reading Context, by providing shorter and simpler explanations of key concepts; by using more visuals to accommodate alternate learning styles; by providing more vocabulary work; by covering reading rates; and by using simpler readings. In addition, Steps offers more help with reading textbook material and provides full chapters on understanding the difference between specific and general statements, understanding implied ideas, reading graphics, and responding to expressive and persuasive writing. For anyone needing to read at the college level.