Reading long texts written in academic English can be a challenge for international students. It's often helpful to look for the verbs in each sentence, as these words usually are critical to understanding the meaning. Take this example, from a review of a book on international relations:
The enduring presence of warfare throughout human history remains the focus of much international relations scholarship. It conditions the core assumptions that underpin various theories of state and the motivations inherent in political action.
Can you find the verbs in the sentences above?
They are here:
The enduring presence of warfare throughout human history remains the focus of much international relations scholarship. It conditions the core assumptions that underpin various theories of state and the motivations inherent in political action.
Once you have found the verbs the meaning becomes simpler:
1. Warfare remains the focus of scholarship
2. Warfare conditions the assumptions
that underpin theories of state
If necessary, use a dictionary to check the meaning of these verbs and you will find the rest of the text easier to understand. Then keep a note of the verbs and try to use them in your own writing.
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