Critical Reading

During the interview, the author avoids directly answering questions about the negative reviews of his book. What can be inferred about the author’s reaction to the negative reviews?

• a) He agrees with the negative reviews.

• b) He is proud of the negative reviews.

• c) He is uncomfortable discussing the negative reviews.

• d) He finds the reviews amusing.

Anna’s letter emphasizes the need for community involvement in local decision-making, arguing that people should have a say in the issues that affect their lives. What is Anna’s likely view on top-down decision-making?

• a) She supports it strongly.

• b) She believes it’s efficient.

• c) She thinks it should be minimized.

• d) She is indifferent to it.

If you use the strategy of "previewing" to critically read a text, you do which of the following?

• You read the introduction and the conclusion closely

• You quickly scan it and all that surrounds and supports it

• You notice what the text says and what it does

One of the first steps you can take to participate in a scholarly conversation is what?

• Participating in a class discussion

• Writing an academic essay

• Annotating--or making notes on--a text as you read it

If you are faced with a difficult or especially long text, which reading strategy should you consider?

• the believing/doubting game

• the says/does approach

• skimming

If you want to see how different elements of a text (e.g. its argument, evidence, characters) are related and structured, consider which reading strategy?

• Reading like a writer

• Skimming

• Mapping

If you read to become more aware of how a text persuades you or acts upon you, you are using which reading strategy?

• Rhetorical reading

• Read aloud to paraphrase

• The believing/doubting game

Which of the following is NOT part of reading online?

• Determining who the author, organization, or company that sponsors the website is

• Determining if the piece is peer-reviewed

• Determining what kinds of sources are cited

• Determining the problems you have with the writer's position

Which of the following is NOT one of the questions to ask if you are reading rhetorically?

• What is the author’s purpose? Is the author arguing a point? Bringing awareness to a problem? Trying to make sense of an experience? Calling people to action?

• Do you agree with what the author is saying in the text? Do you like the author's style of writing?

• Who is the intended audience? To whom does the author seem to be writing?

• What kinds of evidence are used? Scientific data, anecdotes, personal experience?

Which strategy is particularly useful for helping you concentrate on what you're reading?

• reading aloud to paraphrase

• rhetorical reading

• previewing