How to Study

2. Examples. 
3. Classifications and listings. 
4. Use of contrast. 
5. Cause-effect relationships. 
In reading any specialized text, you must begin at the beginning—
understanding the jargon particular to that discipline. Familiar, every-
day words have very precise definitions in technical writing. Everyday
words can have a variety of meanings, some of them even contradic-
tory, depending on the context in which they’re used.
In contrast, in the sciences, terminology has fixed and specific mean-
ings. For example, the definition of elasticity (the ability of a solid 
to regain its shape after a deforming force has been applied) is the 
same in Los Angeles or Las Palmas. Such exact terminology enables
scientists to communicate with the precision their discipline requires.
Definitions may vary in length. One term may require a one-sentence
definition; others merit entire paragraphs. Some may even need a
whole chapter to accurately communicate the definition.
Chapter 3 
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How to Read and Remember
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Look for key words that indicate specific mathematical operations. You
need to add when you see words such as “increased by,” “combined,”
“together,” “sum,” or “total of ”; subtract when you see “decreased
by,” “minus,” “less,” “difference”; multiply when you see “product,”
“increased,” “by a factor of,” and “times”; and divide when you see
“per,” “ratio,” “quotient,” or “percent.”
Another communication tool is the example. Authors use examples
to bridge abstract principles to concrete illustrations. These examples
are essential to your ability to comprehend intricate and complicated
theories.
Unlike other writing, technical writing places a very high premium on
brevity. Economizing words is the key to covering a large volume of
knowledge in a relatively small space. Few technical texts or articles
include anecdotal matter or chatty stories on the author’s experiences.
This fact challenges the reader to pay particular attention to the
examples that are included. Why? Technical writing often is filled 
with new or foreign ideas—many of which are not readily digestible.
They are difficult in part because they are abstract. Examples work
to clarify these concepts, hopefully in terms that are more easily
understood.
A third tool frequently utilized in texts is classification and listings.
Classifying is the process by which common subjects are categorized
under a general heading. Especially in technical writing, authors use
classification to categorize extensive lists of detail.
A fourth tool used in communicating difficult information is that of
comparing and contrasting. Texts use this tool to bring complicated
material into focus by offering a similar or opposing picture. Through
comparison, a text relates a concept to one that has been previously
defined—or to one a reader may readily understand. Through con-
trast, the text concentrates on the differences and distinctions
between two ideas. By focusing on distinguishing features, these ideas
become clearer as one idea is held up against another.
How to Study
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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.