CRITICAL READING

CRITICAL READING

Prepared by: Ms. Ellainne Mae Joy S. Jumalon

Read Me! Understand Me!

Read the text below and comprehend what you are reading.

What is Critical Reading?

Reading critically does not, necessarily, mean being critical of what you read – about some idea, argument, or piece of writing - claiming that it is somehow faulty or flawed.

Critical reading means engaging in what you read by asking yourself questions such as, ‘what is the author trying to say?’ or ‘what is the main argument being presented?’

It involves presenting a reasoned argument that evaluates and analyzes what you have read. Being critical, therefore - in an academic sense - means advancing your understanding, not dismissing, and therefore closing off learning.

To read critically is to exercise your judgment about what you are reading – that is not taking anything you read at face value.

When reading academic material, you will be faced with the author’s interpretation and opinion. Different authors will, naturally, have different slants. You should always examine what you are reading critically and look for limitations, omissions, inconsistencies, oversights, and arguments against what

you are reading.

Directions:

Choose your answer from the given choices.

Multiple Choice

What does ‘critical’ pertain to in the text read?

• It shows all the inconsistencies in the text.

• It is claiming a text that is faulty or flawed.

• It involves an in-depth examination of the text.

• It intends to give negative comments to the writer.

Multiple Choice

What is critical reading?

• It is merely just a reading technique.

• It is a reading technique also known as skimming.

• Reader read with critical attention to comment and make necessary

  changes to the text.

• Reader applies certain processes, models, questions, and theories that

  result in enhanced comprehension.

Multiple Choice

What is an author’s opinion means?

• Statements that can be proven true.

• Statements that can be verified objectively.

• Statements that can be true but cannot be verified.

• Statements that are based on facts and can be validated

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences from the text is a good example of a bias

statement?

• Advancing your understanding

• Examine what you are reading critically.

• Claiming that it is somehow faulty or flawed.

• Not dismissing and therefore closing off learning.

Multiple Choice

Which skill is NOT included in a good critical reader?

• Exercises good judgment

• Examines the whole text

• Reads the text at face value

• Presents reasoned arguments

Evaluative Statements

Evaluative Statements

It is a way of giving a better explanation to show the strength and weaknesses of something through writing.

It presents value judgment based on a set of criteria. It is the writer’s way of explaining why strength is strength and weakness is a weakness based on the evidence gathered (Belino, 2017). Further, according to Hernandez et al. (2017), an evaluative statement is an objective and tactful way of reacting to a text.

Identifying Assertions

Assertions, as defined by Tiongson (2016), are “declarative sentences that claim something is true about something else.”

Read the following examples:

The Sampaguita's roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as anesthetic and a sedative.

• The Sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasmin of the family Oleaceae.

• The popularity of the Sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.

• Sampaguita is the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.

Multiple Choice

The Sampaguita's roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as anesthetic and a sedative.

• Fact

• Convention

• Opinion

• Preference

Fact

This is a claim or statement which can produce objective proof or evidence through direct experience, testimonies of witnesses, verified observations, or results of research.

Open Ended

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF FACT ASSERTION

Multiple Choice

The Sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasmin of the family Oleaceae.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Preference

• Convention

Convention

This is referred to as “a way in which something is done, similar to traditions or norms.” These assertions solely rely on existing laws, rules, usage, customs, and historical precedent available.

Open Ended

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF CONVENTION ASSERTION

Multiple Choice

The popularity of the Sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.

• Convention

• opinion

• preference

• Fact

Opinion

This statement is based on facts. While facts can be proven to be objective, opinions are hard to prove as this would have to rely on reliable and soundproofs.

Open Ended

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF OPINION ASSERTION

Multiple Choice

Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.

• Preference

• Convention

• Opinion

• Fact

Preference

Preference relies on personal choice.

Open Ended

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF PREFERENCE

In writing believable assertions, you must need to take note of the following tips:

1. Be knowledgeable.

2. Back it all up.

3. Be clear and concise.

Formulating Counterclaims

Counterclaims,

as defined by Tiongson (2016), are “claims made to rebut a previous claim. This point of view is in contrast to previous claims made by the

author.

Tiongson gave the following questions that can help you formulate a

counterclaim:

• What are the major points on which you and the author can disagree?

• What is their strongest argument? What did they say to defend their position?

• What are the merits of their view?

• What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their argument?

• Are there any hidden assumptions?

• Which lines from the text best support the counterclaim you have formulated?

EXAMPLE

Claim: Students should not be allowed to bring cellphones to school because they are distracting and can be used for cheating.

Counterclaim: Students should be able to bring cellphones to school because digital literacy can be used for educational purposes.

ACTIVITY!

Identify the following assertions as statements of fact, convention, opinion, or preference.

Multiple Choice

Ilocanos are known to be helpful because they help support their siblings in education.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Many fitness enthusiasts believe that regular exercise promotes good sleep.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte are the four provinces of Region 1.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Filipinos believe that a pregnant woman should wear black as protection against supernatural beings.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Most people nowadays would buy a car rather than to commute.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Social media is defined as the internet and mobile-based tools and

devices that facilitate the integration of technology, telecommuncations, and social interaction.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Facebook is cooler social media platform than twitter.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

In 2012, there were 1.4 billion users of social media worldwide.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Teachers should use social media in their lessons to get more student interested.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

Another name for social media is “web 2.0” because both terms

emphasize the social aspects of the internet as avenues for communication, collaboration, and creative expression.

• FACT

• CONVENTION

• PREFERENCE

• OPINION

Multiple Choice

The Sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasmin of the family Oleaceae.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Preference

• Convention