READING AND WRITING SKILLS

hypertext

characterized by external links embedded in a text by the writer

intertext

refers to a work whose meaning is shaped by referring to other texts

simple reading

gives the basic definition of the text

critical reading

it involves a series of complex thought processes which allows you to make reasoned judgments, assess the way you think, and solve problems effectively

getting the main idea

it can be at the beginning, middle, or the end of the text

summarizing

recalling all pertinent information

inferring

a process used by the reader to understand an idea that the author does not state explicitly

drawing conclusions

figuring out much more than what an author says directly

fact

a provable statement and can be shown to be true or false without any doubt

opinion

expresses a personal belief, idea, or feeling that is not provable

claim

defined as the author’s approach to the topic to see the main arguments

claim of fact

presents an argument about a quantifiable and debatable topic

claim of value

argues whether something is good or bad

claim of policy

asserts the implementation of a certain policy

logical fallacies

are errors in reasoning that invalidate an argument

false dilemma

it occurs when the arguer presents his / her arguments as one of the only two options despite the presence of multiple possibilities or options

appeal to ignorance

it occurs when something is instantly concluded although the argument was not yet proven to be true or false

slippery slope

it occurs when an exaggerated and superficial series of events were drawn out from a simple argument

appeal to force

it occurs when a threat is used instead of reasoning

appeal to pity

it occurs when the element of pity is used instead of reasoning

bandwagon

it occurs when the argument was accepted or was considered to be valid since the “majority” agrees and believes in it

attacking the person

it occurs when someone tries to refute an argument by attacking the character of the person instead of attacking the argument itself

appeal to authority

it occurs when the arguer or the argument quotes an expert who is not qualified in the given subject matter

anonymous authority

it occurs when the authority in question was not named or mentioned

hasty generalization

it occurs when a sample is not enough to draw a generalization for a certain population

evaluative statement

offers valid judgment, given on a set of standards and explains why strength is a strength and a weakness is a weakness