Brenda Smith’s Breaking Through has led the market for 20 years because it has kept current with trends and needs and has provided unwavering instruction and exercises.  Comprised solely of freshman-level college textbook and academic selections for immediate practice with relevant materials, Breaking Through develops the reading, critical thinking, and study skills necessary for successful independent college learning and everyday life.  A four-color design is used to appeal to increasingly visual student readers and keep their attention.   A full textbook chapter, three selections per chapter, fourteen longer reading pieces, and two case books equip students with a wealth of opportunities to apply the skill being taught to reading short textbook passages and then go on to use multiple skills on the longer selections that conclude most chapters.  As seen in “Reader’s Tips” boxes to focus on effective techniques for reading in different disciplines and the “Interpret the Quote” feature where students are asked to interpret a reading-opening quote based on the reading and their comprehension of the selection, students receive a wealth of support for academic success.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Student Success Think Success Set Goals Create a Positive Attitude Seek Excellence READING 1 • SUCCESS STARTS SOMEWHERE "Success Starts Somewhere" from CEO of Self: You’re in Charge! by Herman Cain Plan for Success READING 2 • MAKING THE MOST OF PRIORITIES from How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life by Alan Lakein Plan Your Week Study the Syllabus Use a Calendar to Decode a Syllabus Act Successful College Professor “Takes” American History Attend Class Be on Time for Class Be Aware of Essential Class Sessions Be Equipped for Success Mark Your Text Communicate with Your Instructor Review Your Lecture Notes Network with Other Students Collaborate to Divide Work Look at an “A” Paper Use Technology to Communicate Consider a Tape Recorder Pass the First Test Watch Videos or DVDs Predict Exam Questions READING 3 • BE POSITIVE from I Feel Great AND You Will Too! by Pat Croce SUMMARY POINTS Everyday Reading Skills: Searching the Internet Chapter 2 Stages of Reading What Is the Reading Process? Stages of Reading Stage One: Previewing Stage Two: Integrating Knowledge Stage Three: Recalling Assess Your Progress as a Learner Levels of Reading Comprehension SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • HEALTH “IMPROVED EATING FOR THE COLLEGE STUDENT” from Health: the Basics by Rebecca Donatelle SELECTION 2 • SCIENCE “THE GALVESTON DISASTER” from Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science by Tom Garrison SELECTION 3 • BUSINESS “THE DISNEY APPROACH TO GUEST SERVICE” from Introduction to Hospitality by John R. Walker VOCABULARY LESSON: Not, Not, and Not Everyday Reading Skills: Reading News and Feature Stories in the Newspaper Chapter 3 Vocabulary Learning New Words Remembering New Words Use Association Use Concept Cards Practice Your New Words Unlocking the Meaning of New Words Use Context Clues Use Knowledge of Word Parts Use the Glossary and the Dictionary Types of Context Clues Definition Elaborating Details Elaborating Examples Comparison Contrast Multiple Meanings of a Word Word Parts Roots Prefixes Suffixes The Dictionary Guide Words Pronunciation Spelling Word Meaning Parts of Speech Word History Word Origins Etymology Textbook Glossary Thesaurus Analogies Easily Confused Words Enriching your Vocabulary SUMMARY POINTS VOCABULARY LESSON: For or Against? Everyday Reading Skills: Getting News from Web Sites and Forums Chapter 4 Main Idea What Is a Main Idea? Recognize General and Specific Words Recognize General and Specific Phrases Recognize the General Topic for Sentences Recognize General and Supporting Sentences Differentiate Topic, Main Idea, and Supporting Details Differentiate Distractors in Main Idea Test Items Questioning for the Main Idea 1. Establish the Topic 2. Identify the Key Supporting Terms 3. Focus on the Message of the Topic Stated Main Ideas Unstated Main Ideas Getting the Main Idea of Longer Selections SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • PSYCHOLOGY “SLEEPING AND DREAMING” from Psychology: What It Is/How to Use It by David Watson SELECTION 2 • SHORT STORY “SHATTER PROOF” by Jack Ritchie, from 100 Malicious Little Mysteries SELECTION 3 • HISTORY “THE DREAM OF NONVIOLENT REFORM” from From These Beginnings by Roderick Nash and Gregory Graves VOCABULARY LESSON: Before and After Everyday Reading Skills: Selecting a Book Chapter 5 Supporting Details and Organizational Patterns What Is a Detail? Recognize Levels of Importance Distinguish Major and Minor Details Follow Detailed Directions Patterns of Organization Simple Listing Classification Definitions with Examples Description Time Order, Sequence, or Narration Comparison and Contrast Cause and Effect SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • PSYCHOLOGY “BECOMING HEALTHY” from Psychology: Introduction to Human Behavior by Morris Holland SELECTION 2 • CRIMINAL JUSTICE “CONFIDENCE GAMES MAY BE A SHELL GAME SCENE” from Criminal Investigation by Charles Swanson, Neil Chamelin, and Leonard Territo SELECTION 3 • HISTORY “LET THEM EAT CAKE” from Civilization in the West by Mark Kishlansky, Patrick Geary, and Patricia O’Brien VOCABULARY LESSON: One Too Many Everyday Reading Skills: Selecting Magazines ReadingCasebook 1: What Is Beauty? Beauty Inventory 1 SELECTION 1 • LETTERS OF OPINION “ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD” by Maureen Dowd, in the New York Times SELECTION 2 • ESSAY “EXTREME MAKEOVER” from Morality Play by Jessica Pierce SELECTION 3 • BUSINESS “EVERYDAY WOMEN” by Stuart Elliott, in the New York Times Beauty Inventory 2 Chapter 6 Textbook Learning Expect Knowledge to Exist Annotating When to Annotate How to Annotate Notetaking When to Take Notes How to Take Notes Summarizing When to Summarize How to Summarize Outlining When to Outline How to Outline Mapping When to Map How to Map Take Organized Lecture Notes SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • HEALTH “BEHAVIOR CHANGE” 000 from Health: The Basics by Rebecca Donnatelle SELECTION 2 • BUSINESS “GOYA FOODS” by Alejandro Bianchi and Gabriel Sama in the Wall Street Journal, and from the Goya Web site SELECTION 3 • COMMUNICATION “EYE COMMUNICATION” from The Interpersonal Communication Book by Joseph A. DeVito VOCABULARY LESSON: See, Hear, and Voice Your Concerns Everyday Reading Skills: Reading Reference Materials Chapter 7 Test-Taking Strategies Achieve Your Highest Potential Be Prepared Stay Alert Seek Feedback Standardized Reading Tests Read to Comprehend Interact Anticipate Relax Read to Learn Recall Understand Major Question Types Main Idea Questions Detail Questions Implied Meaning Questions Purpose Questions Vocabulary Questions Hints for Taking Multiple-Choice and True-False Tests Read All Options Predict the Correct Answer Avoid Answers with “100 Percent” Words Consider Answers with Qualifying Words Do Not Overanalyze True Statements Must Be True Without Exception If Two Options Are Synonymous, Eliminate Both Figure Out the Difference Between Similar Options Use Logical Reasoning When Two Answers Are Correct Look Suspiciously at Directly Quoted Pompous Phrases Simplify Double Negatives by Canceling Out Both Certain Responses Are Neither True Nor False Validate True Responses Recognize Flaws in Test Making Hints for Taking Essay Exams Reword the Statement or Question Answer the Question Organize Your Answer Use a Formal Writing Style Be Aware of Appearance Predict and Practice Notice Key Words Write to Earn Points Read an “A” Paper for Feedback SUMMARY POINTS VOCABULARY LESSON: Call Out and Remember to Send Everyday Reading Skills: Using Mnemonics Chapter 8 Efficient Reading What Is Your Reading Rate? What Is an Average Reading Rate? How Can You Increase Your Reading Speed? Be Aggressive–Attack! Concentrate Stop Regressions Avoid Vocalizations Expand Fixations Use a Pen as a Pacer Preview Before Reading Set a Time Goal for an Assignment Be Flexible Practice SUMMARY POINTS TIMED READING 1 • BUSINESS “WHEN INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TURN ILLEGAL” from Interviewing for Success by Arthur H. Bell and Dayle M. Smith TIMED READING 2 • PSYCHOLOGY “DR. FOSSEY AND THE GORILLAS” from Psychology by Stephen Worchel and Wayne Shebilske TIMED READING 3 • HISTORY “ELEANOR ROOSEVELT” from From These Beginnings by Roderick Nash and Gregory Graves Everyday Reading Skills: Managing Workplace Reading Chapter 9 Analytical Reasoning Identify Analytical Thinking An Unsuccessful Student A Successful Student Engage in Problem Solving Analytical Reasoning in Textbooks SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • SCIENCE “PROFILE OF A HURRICANE” from The Atmosphere by Frederick Lutgens and Edward Tarbuck SELECTION 2 • SOCIOLOGY “GENDER AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS” from Social Problems by John J. Macionis SELECTION 3 • BUSINESS “MOTIVATING YOURSELF” from Your Attitude is Showing by Elwood N. Chapman VOCABULARY LESSON: Turn and Throw Everyday Reading Skills: Reading Direct Mail Advertisements ReadingCasebook 2: What Is Forgiveness? Forgiveness Inventory 1 SELECTION 1 • ESSAY “FORGIVE FOR GOOD” from Forgive for Good by Fred Luskin SELECTION 2 • HISTORY “THE STORY OF TOM TATE” from The Forgiveness Project Web site SELECTION 3 • NEWSPAPER ARTICLE “PUSHING PAST THE TRAUMA TO FORGIVENESS” by Robin Finn, in the New York Times Forgiveness Inventory 2 Chapter 10 Inference What Is an Inference? Inference from Cartoons Recognizing Suggested Meaning Connecting with Prior Knowledge Recognizing Slanted Language Drawing Conclusions SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • SHORT STORY “THE BEST PLACE” by A. F. Oreshnik, from 100 Malicious Little Mysteries SELECTION 2 • LITERATURE “THE ALCHEMIST’S SECRET” by Arthur Gorden SELECTION 3 • SHORT STORY “A DEAL IN DIAMONDS” by Edward D. Hoch, from 100 Malicious Little Mysteries VOCABULARY LESSON: Come Together, Hold Together, and Shut Everyday Reading Skills: Reading Newspaper Editorials Chapter 11 Critical Reading What Do Critical Readers Do? Recognize the Author’s Purpose or Intent Recognize the Author’s Point of View or Bias Recognize the Author’s Tone Distinguish Fact from Opinion Recognize Valid and Invalid Support for Arguments SUMMARY POINTS SELECTION 1 • LITERATURE “THE DINNER PARTY” by Mona Gardner, from Sudden Twists: 18 Tales that Take a Surprising Turn SELECTION 2 • ETHICS “COSMETIC SURGERY FOR PETS” from Morality Play: Case Studies in Ethics by Jessica Pierce SELECTION 3 • ESSAY “WE’LL GO FORWARD FROM THIS MOMENT” by Leonard Pitts, MiamiHerald VOCABULARY LESSON: Bend, Born, and Body Everyday Reading Skills: Evaluating Internet Information Chapter 12 Independent Textbook Assignment Apply What You Have Learned INDEPENDENT ASSIGNMENT SOCIOLOGY “THE POOR” from Social Problems by John J. Macionis Appendix 1 Sample Textbook Chapter Appendix 2 Pronunciation Review Appendix 3 Spelling Confusing Words Appendix 4 Word Parts: Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes Appendix 5 ESL: Making Sense of Figurative Language and Idioms Glossary Acknowledgments Index Progress Record for Reading Selections