WEEK 16

CRITICAL THINKING AND CRITICAL READING

How are critical reading and critical thinking different but still closely related with each
other?

Critical reading is definite as a technique for discovering information and ideas within a
text while critical thinking is a technique for evaluating information and ideas, and for
deciding what to accept and believe.

Critical reading refers to a careful, active, reflective, analytic reading. Critical thinking
involves reflecting on the validity of what you have read in light of our prior knowledge
and understanding of the world.

For example, read the argument below which you may find humorous but relatable:

Teenagers are buying expensive clothes to let them rot inside their closets.

Using the aforementioned sentence as example, critical reading will help you determine
from a linguistic and semantic point of view if the word “teenagers” collectively refers to
“all teenagers” and if the word “rot” may be taken from a figurative sense. On the other
hand, critical thinking can help you figure out whether you agree with the applicability of
the statement in present setting and if you can relate to it from a personal standpoint.

With the definitions and explanations given, we can assume that critical reading
appears, at least on most occasions, before critical thinking. Only once we have fully
understood a text (critical reading) can we truly evaluate its assertions (critical thinking).

Critical Thinking and Critical Reading 1

The Two Together in Harmony

In reality, critical reading and critical thinking work together. Both are crucial parts—
usually standing on different ends—of the same intricate yet worthwhile cycle of
progressive analysis and evaluation. Critical thinking allows us to monitor our
comprehension as we read.

Critical thinking depends on critical reading. You can think critically about a text (critical
thinking) only if you have understood it (critical reading). We raise objective arguments
based on facts and evidences, which we critically think about only after painstakingly
researching for them through critical reading.

The Usefulness of the Distinction

Students might wonder why there is still a useful distinction between critical reading and
critical thinking when they belong to the same process and are closely linked with each
other.

The usefulness of the distinction lies in its reminder that we must read each text on its
own merits, not imposing our prior knowledge or views on it. While we must evaluate
ideas as we read, we must not distort the meaning within a text just because we have a
dissenting prior knowledge. Remember that to think critically is to learn and re-learn
actively, and that is only possible if we keep our mind open for new information.

Critical Thinking and Critical Reading 2

Reading Critically: Verifying and Validating the Text

Certain tasks must be done when performing critical reading, regardless of the nature of
the text and the type of topic involved. A writer must:
 address a specific topic
 define terms clearly
 present logical, logical and objective evidences
 account for the common knowledge
 explain the exceptions, if there are any
 show that the causes are able to precede effects
 show conclusions based on logic through arguments supported by evidences

Thinking Critically: Evaluating the Evidence

We often read to gather information that we can apply and perform. While correcting
inaccurate information is easier when we simply read to learn new information, the
same might not be the case when we read for practical application. That is, correcting
something in your head is faster and easier than correcting your wrong action that arose
from reading wrong information. There will be consequences involved at this point.
Hence, we must decide what to accept as true and useful before applying them into any
task.

As readers, we want to accept as fact only that which is actually true. To evaluate a
conclusion, we must evaluate the evidence upon which that conclusion is based. We
do not want just any information; we want reliable information culled from reliable
sources.

Critical Thinking and Critical Reading 3

CRITICAL THINKING BY A CRITICAL READER

No one always acts purely objectively and rationally. It is of human nature to be

subjective and irrational at times.

Critical thinking includes a complex combination of skills. These skills are the ones that
you should adopt and inculcate in your system:

Rationality
We are rational critical thinkers if we:
 rely on reason rather than emotion
 require evidence, ignore arguments without any valid evidence, and follow
evidence where it leads
 are concerned more with finding the best explanation than being right analyzing
apparent confusion and asking questions
 prioritize truths and facts over emotional satisfaction and ego-feeding

Self-awareness
We are self-aware critical thinkers if we:
 weigh the influences of motives and bias
 recognize our own assumptions, prejudices, biases, or points of view
 accept both our mistakes and achievements in as far as argumentation and
reasoning are concerned

Honesty
We are honest critical thinkers if we:
 recognize emotional impulses, selfish motives, nefarious purposes, or other
modes of self-deception
 recognize what we feel for what they are and not for what we want them to be

Open-mindedness
We are open-minded critical thinkers if we:
 evaluate all reasonable inferences
 set aside biases when analyzing and evaluating information
 consider a variety of possible viewpoints or perspectives
 remain open to alternative interpretations

Critical Thinking and Critical Reading 4

  accept a new explanation, model, or paradigm because it explains the evidence
better, is simpler, or has fewer inconsistencies or covers more data
 accept new priorities in response to a reevaluation of the evidence or
reassessment of our real interests, and
 do not reject unpopular views out of hand

Discipline
We are disciplined critical thinkers if we:
 are precise, meticulous, comprehensive, and exhaustive
 resist manipulation and irrational appeals
 avoid snap judgments

Judgment
We are critical thinkers with good and sound judgment if we:
 recognize the relevance and/or merit of alternative assumptions and perspectives
 recognize the extent and weight of evidence

Critical Thinking and Critical Reading 5