ENGLISH REVIEWER

READING – a cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meaning from a

text
APPLYING EFFECTIVE THINKING STRATEGIES
PREVIEWING – looking at the readily visible parts of the text like title and
subtitles and also visual graphs, pictures, and charts.
- Helps u familiarize you with the contents of the selection and focus on the
important information of the text
SKIMMING – you look for the main point of the reading and identify the ideas
that develop it
- Physically moving your eyes rapidly along the page and tracing your finger
along the lines
- Usually talk about the topic of the text
SCANNING – looking for specific information
- You need to have an idea of the details you are looking for
- Physically moving your eyes along the text
- Does not have to read every word, just read until you locate the details you
are looking for
CONTEXT CLUES
CONTEXT CLUES – words, phrases, and sentences that surround an unfamiliar
word that can help you recognize the meaning of an unknown word.
TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
1. SYNONYMS – used when the text has words or phrases that are similar in
meaning to the unknown word
- May be signaled by the words “like” or “as”

2. ANTONYMS – words that reveal the opposite meaning in relation to

unknown word
- You see words like “although” “but” “despite” “instead” “in contrast”
“unlike” “however” “even though” “on contrary” and “conversely”
3. EXAMPLES – specific details in the text that are used to clarify the
meaning of the word

4. EXPLANATIONS AND DEFINITIONS – may be given as clues to

describe an unknown term.
- When phrases like “because” or “that is” follow a word, these may be
explanations
- Terms like “is”, “means”, “is defined as”, and “refers to” are used with
definitions
CONNOTATION – the positive, negative, or neutral feelings, attitudes, ideas,
or associations with a word
DENOTATION – is the basic, precise, literal meaning of the word that can be
found in dictionary
CRITICAL READING
CR ITICAL READING – you evaluate claims, seek definitions, judge
information, demand proof, and question assumptions.
- Goes beyond passively understanding a text
- You process the authors words and make judgements after carefully
considering the readings messages
TECHNIQUES IN CRITICAL READING
1. KEEPING A READING JOURNAL – you are writing your feelings and
ideas in reaction to your reading assignment
- Allows you to develop your impressions of the text and connect them to
your personal experiences
- Allows to better relate to the essay and understand the author’s ideas

2. ANNOTATING THE TEXT – includes highlighting or underlining

important passages and writing notes, comments, questions, and reaction in
the margins.
- Usually best to annotate the text after you have read it more than once to
ensure that you understand it properly
3. OUTLINING THE TEXT – creating a rough outline of the text will also
be helpful in getting to understand it more critically.
- By locating the thesis statement, claims, and evidences, and then plotting
these into an outline, you can see how the writer structures, sequences, and
connects his or her ideas

4. SUMMARIZING THE TEXT – similar to outlining, you need to get a gist.

- Consist of getting the main points of the essay and important supporting
details

5. QUESTIONING THE TEXT – asking specific questions on points that

you are skeptical about

DEFINING CLAIMS

The central argument or thesis statement of the text. Is what the writer tries to
prove in the text by providing details, explanations, and other types of evidence.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD CLAIMS:

1. Should be argumentative and debatable. Readers expect to be able to
raise objections to your claims and they can only raise objections if the
claim is something that can be reasonably challenged.
2. A claim should be specific and focused. If not unfocused then it will be too
broad in scope and will lack direction and a clear connection
3. A claim should be interesting and engaging. Should hook the reader, who
may or may not agree with you
4. A claim should be logical. It should result from a reasonable weighing of
support provided
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE TYPES OF CLAIMS
1. CLAIMS OF FACT – state a quantifiable assertion or a measurable topic.
- Assert that something has existed, exists, or will exist based on data
- Usually answers a “what” question
2. CLAIMS OF VALUE - assert something that can be qualified. Consist of
arguments about moral, philosophical, or aesthetic topics.
 - Make judgements based on certain standards, on whether something is right
or wrong, good or bad, or something earlier
3. CLAIMS OF POLICY – attempt to explain how problems, situations, or
issues ought to be valued.
CRITICAL READING AS REASONING
ASSERTIONS – are declarative sentences that claim something is true about
something else. Sentence either true or false
1. The first type of assertion is fact. This statement that can be proven
objectively by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses, verified
observations, or the results of research.
2. The second type is an assertion of convention. A way in which something
is done, similar to traditions and norms. Conventions depend on historical
precedent, laws, rules, usage, and customs.
3. Assertion is an opinion. Opinions are based on facts but are different to
objectively verify because of the uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs
of soundness.
4. Assertion is preference. Preference are based on personal choice; therefore,
they are subjective and cannot be objectively proven or logically attacked