CRITICAL READING

• It goes beyond extracting information from a text; rather, it involves recognizing the writer’s
purpose, identifying the tone and persuasive elements, and recognizing biases.

• It provides high reflective skills which allow you to stand back and look at the text from
different perspectives.

STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE CRITICAL READING

 Examine the facts and examples.

 Try to check if there are gaps and inconsistencies.

 Check for the accuracy and reliability of the sources and distinguish facts from opinions.

 Aside from evaluating, look for what is not presented as well.

 Based on the facts presented, assess if the conclusions are acceptable.

 Remember to evaluate the credibility of the writer.

Other strategies to develop and practice critical reading

 Identify the purpose of the text and how it can be used for other purposes.

 Allot enough time to read the text.

 Re-read the text when necessary; focus on parts that are unclear.

 Engage with the text by annotating it and asking questions.

 Try to paraphrase the text.

 Identify how the writer’s background and experience shape the content of the text.

 Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a critical reader.

Guide Questions for Critical Reading

 What is the writer’s perspective? Does he/she write from an outsider’s or insider’s
perspective?

 What relevant information is excluded from the text?

 Do you agree with the writer?

 Is the writer objective and accurate?

 How would you describe the tone of the writer?

 Does the text challenge your own values and beliefs?

 Does the text contain fallacies? What are those?

 Are there assumptions made by the writer?

 Does the writer oversimplify complex ideas?

 Does the writer use reasonable generalizations and inferences?

INTERTEXT

– It refers to a work whose meaning is shaped by referencing or calling to mind other texts.

– The reader gets to understand the context of the piece through other texts which parallel it
in terms of plot, characters, premise, and the like.

HYPERTEXT

– It is characterized by the external links embedded in a text by the writer.

– The reader can read the text in a non-linear way, because he is led to other links outside the
main text.

TEXT AND CONTEXT CONNECTIONS (EXPLICIT and IMPLICIT CLAIMS in a TEXT)

CLAIMS

– An expressed opinion or a conclusion that the arguer or writer wants to be accepted by

audience.

 In extended arguments, the claim is often labeled a proposition.

 In making claims, arguers advance statements with which they believe others will disagree.

 Because claims challenge the beliefs or opinions of others, they require support in the form
of reasons and information, whereas other kinds of statements do not.

TYPES OF CLAIMS

1. CLAIM OF FACT
 Assert that a condition has existed, exists, or will exist and are based on facts or
data.
 Questions of fact include: What is True or False?, What happened/didn’t happen?,
How do we know this?, and What exists/doesn’t exist?

Characteristics of a well-argued claim of fact:

 It states the main argument and defines vague and controversial terms.

 It is supported with factual information such as statistics, testimony, and observation.

 It use sufficient, accurate, and recent evidence which are organized to emphasize the main
argument.

Examples:

1. Generally, public secondary schools in the Philippines are not adequately preparing students
for college.

2. Converting to solar energy can save homeowners money.

2. CLAIM OF VALUE

– Argue whether something is good or bad.

– It is based on judgment and evaluation on a philosophical, aesthetic, or moral standpoint.

 – Note that it is not merely a statement of subjective judgment; it is also assessed based on
accurate information.

– Questions of value include: Is it good or bad?, Is it right or wrong?, How moral or immoral?
Of what worth is it? Who says so? And is it ethical or unethical?

Characteristics of a well-defended claim of value:

 It may assert that the value being defended will produce good results, as long as it backed
up by reliable information.

 It cites experts on the field who support the claim to make the argument more effective.

 It draws on real-world examples and illustrations to make the abstract values clear.

Examples:

1. Fetal tissue research is wrong.

2. Opera is not as entertaining as musical comedy.

3. CLAIM OF POLICY

– An argument which asserts the implantation of a certain policy.

– This is driven by the need to present a solution to problems that have arisen; sometimes it is
given as a response to claims of facts.

– It generally state solutions and plans that are procedural and organized.

– Questions of policy include: What should be done? How can we solve this problem? What
course of action should we pursue? And What should not be done?

Examples:

1. Bringing of electronic gadgets like laptops and iPods should be banned in schools.

2. Instead of loaning for oil in some Asian countries, we should be focusing on ways to reduce
oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.

TEXT AND CONTEXT CONNECTIONS (Context of Text Development)

7 parts to organize and develop a text (argument)

1. Structure and logic

 Paragraphs must form coherent units, linked to other paragraphs and to the big
picture by well-defined topic sentences and by transitional clauses and sentences.
Above all, the logic of your argument, from your largest point to the smallest details,
must be expressed with clarity and precision.

2. Claims

 Offer critical solutions to intellectual problems; they suggest to readers that they
ought to change the way they think or act with regard to the problem at hand.
3. Reasons

 Provide your logical basis for making a claim. Because reasoning is always
debatable, it must always be based on evidence.

4. Evidence

 Provides the logical basis for your reasoning; it consists of unarguable facts
that lend concrete support to your claim.

5. Warrants

 Are the values or beliefs on which your reasoning depends. A warrant acts
as a given, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted. You should know what your
warrant is so you can judge if your readers will share it or not.

6. Conclusion

 The function of a conclusion is to bring together the various strands of your

argument, but effective conclusions do not simply summarize points that
have been previously made.

7. Acknowledgement

 Recognizes the alternate claims that run counter to the claim you have
made. Response indicates your degree of disagreement with the counter-
claims at hand.