Critical Reading (Prelim)

is explained as the manner of engaging yourself in what you read by asking questions like, “what does the author mean?” “what message is being conveyed in the text” or “what is the argument raised?”

Critical Reading

This process involves raising a reasoned, logical, and balanced argument that analyzes and evaluates the text

One has to equip him or herself with tools that make learning more convenient and less tiresome

Make a quality dictionary available for access at all times just in case you encounter unfamiliar terminologies that cannot be understood with context clues alone.

Critical Reading

Learn to link information from different sources to create a timeline where the past, present and future connect with each other.

Critical Reading

Learn and Identify meaning and evaluate the value rather than absorb everything at face value.

Content of the text

The reader should be able to interpret and explain the main points of the text on his or her own words.

Critical Reading

Execute active engagement when reading

Critical reading

Purposeful when reading

Non-Critical Reading

Gullible and reactive

Descriptions in the text

The reader should be able to create his or her own examples based from the described key points and be able to compare them with other texts of the same topic.

Objective Analysis

Analyzing the text using logic and not feelings.

Non-Critical Reading

Easily absorbs information without thorough analysis.

Information

People read newspapers in print or online, to know and gather facts and to become aware with what is happening.

Non-Critical Reading

Only read to memorize, and not read to comprehend.

True

To critically read a text is to apply your discretion to what you are reading.

Academic Purposes

Students usually observe two main goals; First is to learn and develop, and second is to pass the subject.

True

Being a critical reader means that you have achieved a higher level of comprehension.

Non-Critical Reading

Only aim to pass and not to learn and develop.

Subjective Analysis

Reading and making clouds judgment.

True

In reading, you expect to encounter the writer’s insight and interpretations when reading texts for academic purposes.

Interpretation of the text

The reader should be able to objectively analyze the text in parts and in whole.

Critical Reading

Gather as much information as possible, Stitch the different interpretations together, and validate the ones that are supported by logical or scientific explanations.

Evaluate the text

Is the argument clearly asserted and supported by evidence?

Non-Academic Articles

Creativity is favored over credibility

List down questions

List questions about the content of the article or report.

Non-Academic Articles

Are published quickly and can be written by anyone.

Academic Articles

Reference are also complied to support the veracity of all information.

Non-Academic Articles

The language used here is informal.

True

Substantial materials should be prioritized over creativity.

True

Conductive places contribute to learning.

True

Reviewing and revising the notes is one of the effective steps in Note-taking.

Prioritize Reading

Putting reading atop your priority list.

Mind map from memory

Make headings of the main ideas and note supporting evidence in dot points

Academic Articles

Papers that are logical and are sophisticated

Academic Articles

Papers that are scientifically and systematically researched and written.

Academic Articles

Written by experts in a particular field

Academic Articles

Authors are well represented in academic articles as their names, credentials and affiliations build the text’s credibility and reputation.

Non-Academic Articles

Texts are non-scientific and non-systematic

Be a morning reader

Mind is clearer and the body is most relaxed at this time.

Take down notes

Be concise and write on your own words

False

Underlining instructional words isn’t essential

Non-Academic Articles

Authorship is not limited to credentials, writing ability or substance

Goal/Schedule to fill

Complete this

“ You are reading because you have a _____ and not because you have a _______.

Non-Academic Articles

Articles that are considered secondary sources of information.

Consolidate your knowledge

Identify areas for further research

Do not limit your reading habit

Read as much as you can, as often as you want

False

The types of book that the readers read does not affect learning.

Content of the text

the reader should be able to interpret and explain the main points of the text on his or her own words

Descriptions in the text

the reader should be able to create his or her own examples based from the described key points and be able to compare them with other texts of the same topic

Interpretation of the text

the reader should be able to objectively analyze the text in parts and in whole

critical reading

allows a reader to understand the content of the text, the descriptions contained, and the interpretation of the author in order to scrutinize the elements involved, including the style, composition and language

Critical reading

Are there gaps and gray areas with your current knowledge of the topic?

Critical Reading

Is there any need for background reading prior to reading the current text in order to make understanding faster and more fluid?

When was the text published?

Where was it published?

Who was the publisher?

It is possible that the text is no longer consistent with the author’s prior works or statements, so you need to consider some information:

The Goal of Reading

People read every day for different purposes. Some have deeper purposes that root from critical reasons, like when reading for academic and professional purposes.

The Goal of Reading

read to be entertained, to pass time, or simply to try to learn new things without pinpointing any particular form of knowledge.

Adopting a Healthy Attitude in Reading

encouraged to learn meaning and identify value rather than absorb everything at face value.

Non-Critical Readers

a text is a source of facts.

Non-Critical Readers

Texts are, then, memorized in order to absorb these so-called facts.

Critical Readers

a text only provides the author’s own interpretation of facts.

Critical Readers

This interpretation may be considered valid or invalid. Hence, critical readers recognize not only what the text says, but also how the text discusses the topic.

Prioritize reading

It is understandable for everyone to get busy at times, making reading a more challenging task.

Find informative books of good value

not merely entertaining. They are worth reading for their substance— for the golden knowledge and wisdom they possess that can help you achieve your goals in life, whether it is in school, at work or at home.

Have your reading habit planned

you have to identify one or more time-wasting activities that do not pose much value to your life.

Have your reading habit planned

You basically add one more chore to your already busy day when you set a schedule for reading on a daily basis.

Do not limit your reading habit

Read as much as you can, as often as you want.

Do not limit your reading habit

Don’t limit your reading time to a few minutes per day when you have more time to spare

Be a morning reader

This makes concentration easier, which improves your learning capacity by miles.

Be a morning reader

the mind is clearer and the body is most relaxed at this time

Try speed reading

allows you to cover and finish books much faster without sacrificing comprehension

Try speed reading

This does not mean reading every word and every sentence so quickly that comprehension is no longer happening.

Step 1: Analyze the critical reading components

Underline instructional words, e.g. discuss, explain, identify, justify

Step 1: Analyze the critical reading components

Mark apparent keywords and key phrases

Step 1: Analyze the critical reading components

Be mindful of the organizational patterns used (Compare and contrast, cause and effect, list, spatial, chronological, etc.)

Step 1: Analyze the critical reading components

Evaluate the validity and requirement of the questions

Step 1: Analyze the critical reading components

Brainstorm the question:

Write down all related information

Link the details that you know

Determine knowledge gaps

Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities

Read the title, synopsis for stories and abstract for research, section headings and subheadings, and graphical representations.

Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities

Read the introduction, the first few paragraphs, and the conclusion at the end.

Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities

Who is the author/s?

What are his or her credentials?

What is his or her reputation?

Is the writer known for bias?

Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities

What is the nature of the text?

Is it current?

Is it authoritative?

Is it purely subjective, purely objective, or a combination of both?

Step 3: List down questions.

Is this text relevant to my research question?

Step 3: List down questions.

If so, list questions about the content of the article or report.

Step 4: Take down notes

Be concise and write on your own words

Step 4: Take down notes

Use bullet points

Step 4: Take down notes

Pay attention to citation and references

Step 4: Take down notes

Take note of the arguments raised

Step 4: Take down notes

Summarize the major parts:

the introduction, the body and the conclusion

Step 4: Take down notes

Record important quoted materials and the page numbers that you may have to read again later on

Step 4: Take down notes

Write down keywords of any relevant information to your questions

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Ask questions on the value of the research evaluation questions

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Has the article/report fulfilled its purpose?

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Is the argument clearly asserted and supported by evidence?

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Is the research valid? (Sufficient, appropriate, adequate, objective, valid methodology?)

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Has the argument been developed logically?

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Does it present solutions based on evidence?

Step 5: Evaluate the text

Are recommendations appropriate to the purpose?

Step 5: Evaluate the text

In what ways does the article/report advance our knowledge of a particular issue?

Step 5: Evaluate the text

What assumptions underlie the research? Are they reasonable?

Step 7: Consolidate your knowledge

Make another mind map drawing on your notes and your rough mind map.

Step 7: Consolidate your knowledge

Make headings and note the supporting evidence in dot points.

Step 7: Consolidate your knowledge

Include your evaluation