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Chapter 5 Critical Reading AS Reasoning
ABM- Accounting, Business and Management Strand (ICCT Colleges Foundation)
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MODULE: READING AND WRITING
At the end of this module, learners will be able to:
Explain the critical reading
Distinguish the explicit and implicit
Identify the different argument in critical reading
CRITICAL READING AS REASONING
Critical reading is a more active way of reading. It is a deeper and more
complex engagement with a text. It is a process of analyzing, interpreting and,
sometimes, evaluating. When we read critically, we use our critical thinking
skills to question both the text and our own reading of it.
What is a critical reader?
A critical reader is someone who defends something by giving
out reasons. (Ms. Katrine M. Belino). A critical reader should be
able to use textual evidence when asked to support analysis of
the implicit and explicit information presented by a writer in a
text.
Textual evidence
When you analyze a text, you want your readers to know what the author
actually says rather than merely your interpretation of the author's ideas.
This means that you quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize the author's
words to support your points.
How do you use textual evidence?
You have to state the idea you have about the text (if you are to answer a
specific question, be sure your idea restates the question). Then give
supporting evidence from the text. To cite explicitly, paraphrase or use quotes
from the text. If you use direct quotes from a text, you must use quotation
marks.
Implicit - refers to something that is suggested or implied but not ever clearly
said
Example:
Your mother shows you an angry face when you leave your socks on the floor.
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MODULE: READING AND WRITING
(Showing the angry face means she does not like you leaving your socks on
the floor. So, instead of scolding you verbally, she just shows you an angry
face.)
Explicit- - means communicating directly in a clear and exact way:
Example:
Someone gives a very straightforward direction to a location
What is Critical Reading?
Critical reading is a process of analyzing,
interpreting and, sometimes, evaluating.
When we read critically, we use our critical
thinking skills to QUESTION both the text and
our own reading of it.
A critical reading also tells the reader what
the text does and what it means. In other
words, while basic reading is concerned with
what is in a text, critical reading is also
concerned with how the text is written and
why it is written this way. A critical reader
constantly asks one big question as he reads:
AM I REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT I’M READING
This question can be broken apart into many other questions:
A. CONSIDERING THE SOURCE
1. What kind of publication is this?
2. What is the author's background
in this subject?
3. To whom is the author writing?
B. RECOGNIZING WHAT IS SAID
4. Had the author really said what I
think he said?
C. RECOGNIZING ASSUMPTIONS,
IMPLICATIONS
5. Does the author make
inconsistent statements?
6. What has the author assumed to be true? Which of these
assumptions are stated? unstated?
7. Does a particular statement depend on context for its
intended meaning?
8. What does the author imply? insinuate?
D. RECOGNIZING INTENT, ATTITUDE, TONE, BIAS
9. Why is the author writing this? motive? purpose?
10. What is the author's attitude? tone? biases?
11. Does the author mean what he says or is he making his
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MODULE: READING AND WRITING
point in a roundabout way through humor, satire, irony, or sarcasm?
12. Are the author's words to be taken exactly as they
appear, or are they slang, idioms, or figures of speech?
13. Which of the author's statements are facts? opinions?
E. ANALYZING ARGUMENTS
14. Does the author write emotionally? using sentiment?
horror? name-calling? flag waving?
` 15. Which of the author's statements does he support?
Which does he leave unsupported?
16. What conclusions does the author reach?
17. Of the author's conclusions, which are justified?
Which ones are not justified?
A critical reader...
1. does not believe everything he reads.
2. questions everything which doesn't make sense to
him.
3. questions some things even though they do make
sense to him.
4. rereads when he thinks he may have missed
something.
5. considers the type of material he is reading before
deciding how much weigh to give to it.
6. admits that the effect on him of what the author says
may be caused more by the author's style of writing
than by the facts presented
7. analyzes arguments.
8. discounts arguments based on faulty reasoning.
9. has good reasons for believing some things and disbelieving others – for
agreeing with some authors and disagreeing with others.
Kurland (2010) noted that to non-critical readers, text provide facts. Readers
gather knowledge in a way of memorizing the statements in a text. Critical
readers recognize not only what a text says, but also how a text describes the
subject matter.
According to him, there are three steps or modes of analysis which can be
reflected in three types of reading and discussion:
As a critical reader you should think
What the text says: (restatement)after critically reading a piece you should
be able
to take notes, paraphrasing - in your own words –the key points.
What the text does: (description) you should be confident that you have
understood the text enough to be able to use your own examples and compare
and contrast with other writing on the subject in hand.
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What a text means : (interpretation):this means that you should be able to
fully analyze the text and state a meaning for the text as a whole.
This essential skill helps the reader to develop his/her critical thinking by
reasoning and vice-versa. In relation to this, he/she can realize that a certain
text is connected to human experiences. In effect, they can be guided on how
to see things both in micro and macro levels. To attain this, a reader must be
ready or has the ability to be equipped with ways for thinking.
It is important therefore, that you not only learn to read critically but
also efficiently. To read efficiently is to become selective by choosing carefully
what you will read. And to start with, you need to know what you are looking
for. You can then examine the contents page and/or index of a book or journal
to find out whether a chapter or article is worth to be read further.
It is essential to read critically because it requires you to evaluate the
arguments in the text. This also means being aware of your opinions and
expectations (positive and negative) of the text you are reading so you can
evaluate it honestly.
What is Reasoning?
Reasoning is an act of giving
statements for justification and
explanation. It is the ability of someone
to defend something by giving out
reasons justifying a stand based on
prior and existing knowledge and
experiences needed to arrive at a
decision.
Critical reading involves presenting a
reasoned argument that evaluates and
analyses what you have read.
Argument- is a statement that you use in order
to try to convince people that
your opinion about something is correct. It is a
reason given for
or against a matter under discussion.
To read critically is to exercise your judgment
about what you are reading. It is engaging in
what you read by asking yourself questions
such as, “what is an author trying to say?” or ‘
what is the main argument being presented?”
This essential skill in reading leads to the
development of critical thinking by reasoning
and vice-versa. To become a critical reader, it is
important to know some tips / techniques of
becoming a critical thinker.
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Reasoning
It is the process of expressing ideas and opinions as well as justifying a stand
based on prior and existing knowledge and experiences needed to arrive at a
decision.
Some Techniques to Develop in Reasoning
1. Dare to read every day. Citing relevant ideas of experts and authorities’ in
reading materials definitely help strengthen one’s stance of an issue.
2. Learn to focus to the main ideas explicit or implied) and supporting details
Mentioned in the argument.
3. Examine the pros and cons of your argument/ resolution. This will help
you
weave the flow of your thoughts presented.
4. Organize your thoughts. Arrange ideas either in chronological order or by
emphasis to specific or vice versa) Once organized, oral or written expression
becomes meaningful.
5. Note points for improvement. After having justified an issue, recheck your
stand based on your power to convince the reader/audience. Moreover,
practice, practice so that you become conscious of becoming better every time
you reason out.
Evaluation Guide for Critical Reading
EVALUATIVE STATEMENTS
An evaluative statement is a way of giving a better explanation to show the
strength and the weaknesses of something through writing. It is used in giving
a sound judgment – a judgment that can be backed up or supported by valid
reason or proofs.
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How are you going to formulate evaluative statements?
You may compose your evaluative statements in two steps:
1. Formulating Assertions about the content and properties of a text read
2. Formulating a meaningful counterclaim in response to a claim made in the
text read.
Assertion
Becoming a good critical reader means that you are able to logically evaluate the
claims of the writer. Assertions become the primary channel for a reader to
assent to a claim.
Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a
forceful or confident and positive statement regarding a belief or a fact. Often, it
is without proof or any support.
It is a confident and forceful statement of fact or [Link] purpose is to express
ideas or feelings directly, for instance, “I have put my every effort to complete
this task today.”Standing up for your rights and not being taken advantage of is
one definition of being [Link] also means communicating what you really
want in a clear fashion, respecting your own rights and feelings and the rights
and feelings of others.
Assertion is an honest and appropriate expression of one’s feelings, opinions,
and needs.
Types of Assertion
1. Statement of Fact
This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience,
testimonies of witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research.
Example: The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an
anesthetic and a sedative.
This statement is a fact because it can be directly verified by experience or reliable
research reports.
2. Statement of Opinion
Opinions are based on facts, but are difficult to objectively verify because of the
uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
Example: The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of
worship.
The above statement is an opinion because it is based on an observation that
needs to be proven by studies and repeated observation; there are too many
factors involved that makes explicit judgment difficult.
3. Statement of Convention
A convention is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and
norms. Conventions depend on historical precedent, laws, rules, usage, and
customs.
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Example: The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family
Oleaceae.
This statement is a convention because it is based on a classification system made
up by scientists and is acceptable to the scientific community.
4. Statement of Preference
Preferences are based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and
cannot be objectively proven or logically attacked.
Example: Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
This statement is a preference because it says a lot about the type of flowers that
the writer likes, instead of objectively comparing the qualities of sampaguitas to
that of other flowers.
DETERMINING TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Why do you need to determine textual evidence?
The need to answer questions after reading a text and or to share our ideas
enables us to go back to what we have read and give evidence from it to prove
that you are not just manufacturing your thoughts. Oftentimes, when we you
are asked about how nice a movie was, you need to cite part or parts of the movie
which could support your thoughts that it was indeed a very nice movie worthy
to be watched. What you are doing is using a textual evidence.
Example:
Eric often gets wet on Saturdays. He wakes up at 6 o’clock in the morning and
goes straight to the faucet. He prepares a basin, a soap, shampoo and a stool. One
by one, he calls out his fur friends for the Saturday mornings “ritual”.
Question: Based on the text, what is Eric’s work on Saturday mornings?
a. Washes clothes
b. Cooks for breakfast
c. Baths his pets
d. Preparing for work
Textual Evidence: One by one, he calls out his fur friends for the Saturday
mornings “ritual”.
Unlocking Difficulty
Text is something that is written to express a person’s view, feelings thoughts,
emotions etc.
Evidence refers to the proof of an argument, a claim, a counterclaim, a contention
or an assertion cited in the text leading to a conclusion.
Textual Evidence is citing proof from the text in the reading.
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