A final tool that texts employ to communicate is the cause-effect
relationship. This device is best defined in the context of science,
where it is the fundamental quest of most scientific research. Science
begins with the observation of the effect—what is happening? It is
snowing. The next step is to conduct research into the cause: Why is
it snowing? Detailing this cause-effect relationship is often the essence
of scientific and technical writing.
Cause-effect relationships may be written in many ways. The effect
may be stated first, followed by the cause. An effect may be the result
of several connected causes— a causal chain. And a cause may have
numerous effects.
In your reading, it is vital that you recognize this relationship and its
significance.
Read with a Plan
More than any other type of writing, highly specialized technical
writing must be read with a plan. You can’t approach your reading
assignment merely with the goal of completing it. Such mindless
reading will leave you confused and frustrated, drowning in an ocean
of theories, concepts, terms, and examples.
Your plan should incorporate the following guidelines:
1.Learn the terms that are essential to understanding the
concepts presented. Knowing the precise definitions that
the author uses will enable you to follow his chain of thought
through the text.
2.Determine the structure or organization of the text. Most
chapters have a definite pattern that forms the skeleton of the
material. A book may begin with a statement of a theory, give
examples, provide sample problems, then summarize. Often
this pattern can be discerned through a preview of the table
of contents or the titles and subtitles.Chapter 3 ■How to Read and Remember 57