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RWS 11 Pre Final Handout
RWS 11 Pre Final Handout
As a student, it is essential for you to practice reading critically. Critical reading goes beyond extracting
information from a text; rather, it involves recognizing the writer’s purpose, identifying the tone,
persuasive elements, and recognizing biases. Critical reading provides high reflective skills which allow
you to stand back and look at the text from different perspectives. It lends you the ability to see and
evaluate how a text presents arguments. Without this skill, a reader may run the risk of simply
memorizing texts and accepting them even if they are flawed, biased, and subjective.
- 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
- refers to a work whose meaning is shaped by referencing or calling to mind other texts (shaping a
text’s meaning by another text).
- it is the interconnection between similar or related works of literature that reflects and influence an
audience’s interpretation of the text.
- Basically, other texts add meaning to the current text. It is putting a text in relation to another text,
usually through direct quotes or references.
- For instance, a book that quotes another book to compare, contrast, or expand on a point is using
intertext; The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and the song Love Story by Taylor Swift, CS
Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe which alludes to the Bible.
- Focuses on the process of composition. To reveal intention, while allowing the reader’s role in
producing the meaning of a text.
- Both reader and writer centered. Encompassing the entire process by which a text comes into being
and is understood.
Hypertext
- a text which contains links to other text; external links embedded in a text by the writer.
- A reader can read the text in a non-linear way because he is led to other links outside of the main text
and it enables the reader to arrive at the intended interpretation because he is led to where the author
exactly wants him to go.
- The context is taken through links and commentaries directly connected to the text being read.
- For example, definition of some terms, explanations to certain things mentioned, directions to the
next part of the plot, etc.
- It is applicable in both online and printed media.
TYPES OF CLAIMS
When reading texts critically, it is necessary that you identify the type of claims, or the approach to the
topic, to see the main argument.
To identify the claims, focus on the first and last sentences of a paragraph. The details in each
paragraph will also guide you as to whether a text supports or opposes a certain claim or argument.
Take note also of the transitional devices used.
Guide Questions for Identifying the Claims
Claim of Fact
- an argument about a quantifiable topic meaning, it can be expressed as an amount, quantity, or
numerical value.
- it is not a fact, it only asserts a stand regarding a debatable topic that which existed, is existing, and
will exist.
- A well-argued claim of fact clearly states the main argument and defines vague and controversial
terms. It is supported with factual information such as statistics, testimony, and observation that are
sufficient and accurate.
- For example: Climate change does not exist because these are simply natural cycles of weather change.
- From the example above, you cannot easily check whether this is indeed a fact as there are other
evidences and arguments which disagree with it.
Claim of Value
- it argues whether something is good or bad.
- it is based on judgment and evaluation on a philosophical, aesthetic, or moral standpoint.
- it is not merely a statement of subjective judgment but also assessed based on accurate information.
- A well-argued claim of value may assert that the value being defended will produce good results, as
long as it is backed up by reliable information. Also, it may cite experts on the field who support the
claim to make the argument more effective.
- For example: Euthanasia, which is also known as mercy killing, is an act to end a person’s life to
alleviate the suffering brought about by a terminal or grave illness.
- From the example above, some may agree to it but some may don’t because depending on their
personal beliefs and judgments.
Claim of Policy
- an argument which attempts to persuade a person or people to take some actions or change a
behavior usually to solve a problem.
- it generally states solutions and plans that are procedural and organized.
- it does not have to be a policy but it implies that some action is ought to be taken, but not that it
must or will be taken.
- the key words are should, must, and ought.
- For example: We should respect everyone in this school.
- From the example, it’s not a policy or a law but the statement wants the reader to follow what is said
or written.
LOGICAL FALLACIES
Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that invalidate an argument. As a critical reader, you have to
identify and examine fallacies and manipulative language found in the text. It is therefore important that
you know what some of the common fallacies are.
12. Hasty Generalization Occurs when a sample is not significant or Martha, the foreigner from France,
enough to support a generalization about a is very impolite. French people are
population mean and rude.
13. False Analogy Occurs when a writer assumes that two Drugs are like massages; they make
concepts that are similar in some ways are you feel good.
also similar in other ways
14. Accident Occurs when a general rule is applied to a Jaywalking is not allowed, so you
situation, even when it should be an shouldn’t have done that when you
exception were being chased by terrorists.
15. Post Hoc Occurs when the arguer claims that since Dina saw a black cat when they
event A happened before event B, A is the went home. Along the way, they
cause of B crashed into a tree. The black cat
must be the reason why they meet
an accident.
16. Wrong Direction Occurs when the direction between cause Liver damage leads to alcoholism.
and effect is reversed
17. Complex Cause Occurs when the explanation for an event is We were not able to solve the
reduced to one thing when there are other problem because of limited time,
factors which also contributed to the event even if all the other groups were
able to do so.
18. Irrelevant Conclusion Occurs when an argument which is We must support the fight for
supposed to prove something concludes gender equality between men and
something else instead women. Women have suffered
enough violence at home. Violence
against women must be stopped.
19. Straw Man Occurs when the position of the opposition Opponent: We should relax the law
is twisted so that it is easier to refute governing the allowed smoking
areas in the city.
Fallacy: We should not do so,
because the number of smokers
might increase.
20. Affirming the Any argument of the form: if A is true then B If you are drinking wine, you have a
Consequent is true; if B is true, therefore A is true problem. Therefore, if you have a
problem, you are drinking wine.
21. Denying the Any argument of the form: if A is true then B If you are drinking wine, you have a
Consequent is true; if A is not true, therefore B is not problem. Therefore, if you’re not a
true drinking wine, you don’t have a
problem.
22. Inconsistency Occurs when arguments contradict one Frank is older than Jake, Jake is
another older than Noli, and Noli is older
than Frank.
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE WRITING
Paragraph is a group of interrelated sentences that talk about one main idea while an essay is a group
of paragraphs that talk about one central idea. Check the table below to see the differences between
the two.
Paragraph Essay
Organized around a topic sentence Organized around a thesis
Contains introductory sentence Contains introductory paragraph
Uses sentences to explain major points Uses paragraphs to explain major points
May use a concluding sentence Always uses a concluding paragraph
- Topic sentence
- Supporting details
- Closing sentence
I. Introduction
a. Lead or Attention-getter – the first statement in the essay which aims to hook the attention of the
readers.
b. Transitional Statement – a sentence that links the lead to the thesis statement.
c. Thesis Statement – a sentence that states the main idea or argument of the essay.
*Transitional Paragraph – a paragraph that does not directly provide support to a thesis statement but
functions as a bridge from one paragraph to another.
II. Body – is the meat of the essay. It discusses the thesis statement in detail through paragraphs. This is
where the topic is developed and where the arguments are laid out and discussed.
III. Conclusion
a. Reiteration of thesis statement – restating the thesis statement or the main idea of the essay using a
different structure and wording to uphold the language style.
b. Transitional statement – reiteration of purpose, benefit, and recommendation
c. Closing Statement – used to wrap up the essay.
A. Unity
- this is achieved when a composition contains one focused idea. In a unified text, all the supporting
ideas are relevant to the main thought. Without unity, the text will be confusing.
C. Organization
- this is achieved when ideas are logically and accurately arranged.
D. Language Use
E. Mechanics
- the technical aspect of writing which is characterized as a set of conventions on how to spell,
abbreviate, punctuate, and capitalize a composition.
Thesis Statement
- is the central idea of a multiple-paragraph composition. It is a one-sentence summary that guides,
controls, and unifies ideas when writing a paper. In simple terms, all the other ideas present in an essay
revolve around the thesis statement.
Examples:
Topic: Jogging
Question: Why is jogging beneficial?
Thesis Statement: Jogging is beneficial because it positively affects the physical well-being, emotional
welfare and mental fitness of a person.
Topic Sentence
- this guides, controls, and unifies ideas in a paragraph to develop one argument from the thesis
statement.
Example:
Topic: Jogging
Question: Why is jogging beneficial?
Thesis Statement: Jogging is beneficial because it positively affects the physical well-being, emotional
welfare and mental fitness of a person.
Topic Sentence 1: Jogging positively impacts one’s physical wellness by preventing hypertension and
other diseases.
Topic Sentence 2: Also, another benefit is that it balances the emotional welfare of a person.
Topic Sentence 3: Finally, another benefit from jogging is that it maintains mental fitness.
Supporting Details
- these details are pieces of information necessary to better understand the main idea.
- they can be facts, reasons, testimonies, statistics, and experiments that support the topic sentence.
- this is divided into two: Major details and Minor details.
- Major details directly support the topic sentence whereas minor details directly support the major
details.
Example:
Topic Sentence 1: Tagaytay City attracts tourists with its magnificent landscape.
Topic Sentence 2: People go back to Tagaytay for its delicious food.
Topic Sentence 3: The warmth of the city’s amazing people is also another reason why Tagaytay is
alluring.
Sample Paragraph with Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences, and Supporting Details – Major and Minor
Tagaytay City is an enthralling city of the South because of its beautiful landscape, delicious food, and
amazing people. The city has magnificent scenery that never fails to capture the awe of its visitors. One
major tourist spot that exudes the beauty of Tagaytay is Taal Volcano, the smallest volcano in the
world. The lake which surrounds it is another attraction that cannot be missed. The city is also known
for its sumptuous native food. Tourists who drop by the city make it a point to try Tagaytay’s famous
bulalo and other delicacies. Aside from these, Tagaytay is also characterized by the warmth of its
people, the Caviteños. They bring with them their smiles as they welcome both local and foreign
visitors.
Prepared by,
Miss Shan M.