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Why should we look for patterns in what we read?
Why should we look for patterns in what we read?
It’s like having a map before you travel
If you spot the pattern early, you instantly know where the author is going and how the parts fit together.
This means you don’t get lost in the details or waste time rereading for clarity.
It speeds up note-taking and studying
It can save time by helping you read faster and helps you study strategically.
It helps you remember more
The human brain loves patterns. When you organize ideas by pattern, they “stick” better because they’re connected logically—not floating in random order.
Keep reading to see how these might apply in a real-world scenario.
Case Study: New Campus Bookstore Merch
Scenario:
The college is considering replacing the current campus bookstore merchandise with new higher-quality merchandise in hopes they will sell more. The Dean of Students sent out a report for students and staff to read before the next student government meeting. The report is three pages long and filled with facts, surveys, and recommendations. You have been asked to give your opinion on the report and to vote on whether you believe the bookstore should switch merchandise. Last night, you had to finish writing a paper and didn't have time to read the report. You have one hour before the meeting. There is no way to read every word before the meeting. What do you do?
Read this excerpt from the report and answer the questions after the excerpt:
"The campus bookstore has experienced a 30% drop in sales of merchandise over the last two years. Student surveys indicate that 65% of respondents want more stylish and higher quality options while 22% would prefer cheaper options. Comparisons to other local colleges reveal that most college bookstores offer a variety of unique, stylish, and high-quality merchandise for student purchase. In contrast, our bookstore merchandise offerings have remained mostly unchanged since 2010. Several potential vendors have submitted proposals, each promising to improve merchandise variety and offer competitive pricing for quality. Implementing these changes would require spending more money to acquire inventory, but long-term benefits may include increased student satisfaction and higher sales."
What logic patterns do you see in this excerpt? (for example: cause and effect, listing, time order, comparison or contrast, examples)
What clues in the wording help you see the patterns?
Using the patterns you see to help guide you, how will you figure out what details are important for you to find and remember to help make your decision?
How did recognizing the patterns save you time? Do you think you could skim the rest of the report to find the important details?
Practice identifying relationships
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