Reading material

[mcrittell]

What types of periodicals should one read if they have a certain passage-type problem?

Humanities-?
Science-Nature, Scientific American
Social Sciences-?
Law-?

[bbirdwell]

The Economist seems to be a good source for general passages.

For Law, I'd recommend reading law journal articles from whichever schools you're interested in applying to.

I'd like to see what others recommend. I'm not sure about your recommendation for Nature. I think it's generally quite a bit more scientific than any LSAT passage.

While seeking to improve RC, keep in mind that ultimately it doesn't matter what kind of content is in the passage. While a scientific background might not hurt for reading a science passage, it certainly isn't required.

Keep your focus on the structure of the passage, and it doesn't matter whether a passage is about juror unanimity or dinosaurs. It doesn't matter whether you can pronounce ethnobiomycopiafungamalicide, so long as you know how it's being used (evidence for the author, evidence for critics, whatever). In other words, regardless of content, we're still looking for the same information, and we can still find it even if we don't fully understand the nature of the experiments presented or whatever. We just need to know what's being argued here, and by whom.

[mcrittell]

While I agree with this, the reason why I prompted this question was because I believe that certain types of readings have various structures and different ways of conveying information. I just want to familiarize myself with as much as possible.

Currently am reading The Economist.

[cardsfan04]

This is my weakest section, so I've been thinking about trying to read from things like the economist. Is there any quick way to determine which articles to choose? Or, should pretty much any of them do?

How much time should I spend on this compared to other studying? I was thinking of aiming for 1 article a day with taking the time to break down the structure. And, on some days maybe doing it for 4 articles or something to simulate an actual section.

[chike_eze]

Is there any quick way to determine which articles to choose? Or, should pretty much any of them do?

I don't think there is one answer to the first question. In the end, I think reading outside sources helps us get more familiar with what is tested on LSAT RCs. In my opinion, outside sources add to background information (included in most RCs), which helps to the extent that such extra knowledge makes us less intimidated about RC content. I'm not sure it necessarily helps us answer RC questions because each RC is different.

As suggested by MLSAT instructors, I've been reading random Science and Socio-economic articles for structure (and main point). After reading I try to answer at least 2 questions: What was the point of the passage? How was the point supported? The rest of it... I don't bother with.

How much time should I spend on this compared to other studying? I was thinking of aiming for 1 article a day with taking the time to break down the structure. And, on some days maybe doing it for 4 articles or something to simulate an actual section.

For me, top priority is working with actual RCs -- main point, common structures, common patterns etc. I've been using the Next 10 (19 - 28) for extra practice. I dont have "reading outside articles" built into my schedule per se. I just read such articles when I'm waiting to do something else -- taking a d#mp, waiting to get a hair cut, taking a break from work... etc (maybe I could do better ).

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Nice discussion, I thought I might just add a thought or two. The important thing is that you're reading outside of your LSAT prep. I'd recommend that you read 30-45min a day of something challenging, but nothing ridiculous.

For example during my LSAT prep period, I read Homer's The Iliad. Low and behold there were a couple of passages about the Homer and The Iliad. But the only reason it was beneficial was the practice reading - time on task.

In RC, Brian's statements above are exactly right. It really doesn't matter what the subject is that you're reading, but your interest in the material and your attention to certain information and structure dictate your success.

That said, I can't discourage folks from reading interesting journal articles... It won't hurt!

Humanities - ?
Science - Nature, Scientific American
Social Sciences - the Economist, the Atlantic Monthly
Law - as Brian suggested; law journals from the schools you're interested in attending

I'd check out JSTOR if you have access to a university library. JSTOR has journal articles in every subject, though you can check abstracts and article availability with any web access at:

http://www.jstor.org/

[mcrittell]

What kinds of mental questions should you be asking yourself while reading supplementary materials (I guess, you could say, what are the predictable questions that the LSAT loves to ask)?

1) What was the A's main point?
2) How does the A corroborate his main pt? What is the A's organization
3) What is the A's opinion/tone?

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

Focus on the following...

What is the central argument/s?
Who are the proponents of each side of the argument/s?
What is their central evidence?
What is the organization of the passage?

If the passage does not contain an argument but is descriptive in nature instead, focus on passage structure/organization. How does each part of the article/passage fit together with the rest of the paragraphs?

Here's an example. Suppose you have a four paragraph passage with the following purpose for each paragraph:

1. illustrate a phenomenon
2. provide a history of how the phenomenon came to be
3. provide an example of the phenomenon
4. provide a second example of the phenomenon

That would be a descriptive passage. If however the structure was more like:

1. illustrate a problem
2. provide a history of how the problem came to be
3. provide examples of the problem
4. suggest reasons why you should care about the problem

Well now you have an argument!

[chike_eze]

Focus on the following...

What is the central argument/s?
Who are the proponents of each side of the argument/s?
What is their central evidence?
What is the organization of the passage?

If the passage does not contain an argument but is descriptive in nature instead, focus on passage structure/organization. How does each part of the article/passage fit together with the rest of the paragraphs?

MLSAT Rocks!! Thanks for the info.