WEEK 5: READING STRATEGIES FOR CRITICAL THINKING

• This is a reading strategy that allows you to use prior knowledge

• Requires to skim the text to get the main idea before reading it in detail

Previewing

What kind of previewing is this?

• May reveal something about the text and its style 

• Possible assumptions and biases 

Previewing Author 

What kind of previewing is this?

May reveal something about the text subject, style, and approach 

Previewing Place of Publication 

What kind of previewing is this?

• May give an idea of what subject to expect

• It can also reveal the thesis of the text

• Reading subtitles, section headings, and subheadings can be useful too 

Previewing Title 

This is used to get the overall view, gist, or impression of the content

Skimming

This is used to look for a particular word, phrase, or detail from a text

Scanning

This encourages active reading by interacting with the text

Underlining and Highlighting  

What are the elements that must be included in your written notes?

1. Content

2. Reaction

What are 3 kinds of written notes?

1. Linear 

2. Diagrammatic

3. Annotations 

What kind of written notes is this?

• Note-taking in logical order

• Using headings and subheadings 

Linear 

What kind of written notes is this?

Uses boxes, flowcharts, and mind mapping

Diagrammatic 

What kind of written notes is this?

Are critical explanatory notes in the text 

Annotations 

These are concrete and fixed definition used to represent or refer to concepts (legal ter, medical term, etc.)

Term

This is an abstract or a general idea that represents a category, class, or notion

Concept

This is a reading strategy that organizes ideas and the main points of the text 

Outlining, Summarizing, & Paraphrasing 

• This is considered as the skeleton of the text 

• This pinpoints the main ideas of the texts

• This allows us to see the relationships among ideas 

Outlining 

• This is a brief account of the important points of a text

• This helps us prepare for writing by providing a snapshot of the arguments 

• Shorter than the priginal text 

Summarizing 

• This is a restatement of a text in your own words and understanding 

• Can be as long as the original or even longer 

Paraphrasing 

• Texts are not written in isolation

• One needs to place their text in their context 

• The need to see whether it supports previously published material or wheter it presents a new perspective 

Contextualizing 

What kind of contextualizing is this?

• Academic authors will align themselves with a particular school of thought within a field of discipline 

• Each will offer distinct perspectives and interpretations of topics and issues 

Contextualizing School of Thought 

What kind of contextualizing is this?

• The reading process involves the text, the author, and the reader

• As (blank), you must bring your own opinions and experiences to the text 

Contextualizing the Reader