CRITICAL READING AS

REASONING
What is “critical reading?”

๏ Definition: An active approach to reading that

involves an in depth examination of the text.
๏ Memorization and understanding of the text is
achieved.
๏ Additionally, the text is broken down into its
components and examined critically in order to
achieve a meaningful understanding of the
material.

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 There are both advantages Structure
and disadvantages to the
biological control of nature. On
the one hand, BC does not A general
affect the health of humans, statement that
does not cause pollution, and introduces the
is not costly. On the other
hand, when a new species is discussion.
introduced to an ecosystem for
biological control, it may upset
the balance of that particular
ecosystem. On balance, BC is
the most effective way to
control
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pests.
 There are both advantages
and disadvantages to the Structure
biological control of nature.
On the one hand, BC does not
affect the health of humans, Reasons in favor (the
does not cause pollution, and “pros”)
is not costly. On the other
hand, when a new species is
introduced to an ecosystem
for biological control, it may
upset the balance of that
particular ecosystem. On
balance, BC is the most
effective way to control pests.

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 There are both advantages
and disadvantages to the
Structure
biological control of nature. On
the one hand, BC does not Reasons against (the
affect the health of humans,
does not cause pollution, and “cons”)
is not costly. On the other
hand, when a new species is
introduced to an ecosystem for
biological control, it may upset
the balance of that particular
ecosystem. On balance, BC is
the most effective way to
control pests.
5
 Structure
There are both advantages
and disadvantages to the
biological control of nature. On
the one hand, BC does not If there is a conclusion,
affect the health of humans,
does not cause pollution, and it often includes the
is not costly. On the other author’s opinion.
hand, when a new species is
introduced to an ecosystem for
biological control, it may upset
the balance of that particular
ecosystem. On balance, BC is
the most effective way to
control pests.
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 There are both advantages Language
and disadvantages to the
biological control of nature.
On the one hand, BC does not
affect the health of humans, Words and phrases that
does not cause pollution, and show the logical
is not costly. On the other
hand, when a new species is relationship between
introduced to an ecosystem different ideas.
for biological control, it may
upset the balance of that
particular ecosystem. On
balance, BC is the most
effective way to control pests.

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Definition

Critical Reading is reading between the lines.

Definition

Critical Reading is reading beyond the lines.

 Passive Reading vs. Active Reading

๏ 1. Largely inactive process.

๏ 2. Low motivation to examine the text critically or at an
in-depth level.
๏ 3. Important pieces of data and assumptions may be
missed.
๏ 4. Data and assumptions that are perceived by the
passive reader are accepted at face value or are
examined superficially, with little thought.
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 Passive vs. Active Reading

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 3 Steps/Responses to Texts

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Everyday Experiences
Here are some analysis/interpretation that you probably make on a daily
basis.

If your teacher writes You infer that it is

information on the board important information What will you do next?
during a lecture that you may need later.

If your younger brother

You infer that they
runs in the house holding What will you do next?
have somehow
their knee and crying
hurt his knee.
 What analysis can you
make about this cartoon?
Find the two inferences that
are most logically based on
the information it suggests.

A. The couple is not likely to have a good dining experience at the

restaurant.
B. The couple will never eat at the restaurant.
C. The restaurant was recently closed for health violations.
D. Whoever is running the restaurant is not doing a good job.
REAL LIFE ADVENTURES © 2006 GarLanco, Reprinted with permission of UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE. All rights reserved.
 Answers A and D are logical answers. Here’s why:
A. The couple is not likely to have a good dining experience at
the restaurant. The “help wanted” sign indicates that the
restaurant is seriously understaffed. It would be logical, then, to
infer that the restaurant cannot provide patrons with a good
dining experience. You should have chosen this item.
B. The couple will never eat at the restaurant.
The man’s comment that “this isn’t the best time” suggests that
he may be willing to try the restaurant once it has solved its
staffing problems.
Also, experience suggests that it is common for restaurants to
change ownership and/or management. You should not have
chosen this item.

HERMAN: © Jim Unger/Dist. By Newspaper Enterprise Association. Inc.

 Answers A and D are logical inferences. Here’s why:
C. The restaurant was recently closed for health
violations.
Nothing in the cartoon suggests that the restaurant was
recently closed for health violations. Perhaps if it
continues to operate without sufficient staff, it may be
closed, but we have no way of knowing that. You should
not have chosen this item.
D. Whoever is running the restaurant is not doing a good
job.
Experience tells us that good managers are able to hire
and retain qualified employees. The “help wanted” sign
suggests quite the opposite—that a number of
employees have recently quit or been fired. The lack of
staff, in turn, has caused the couple to decide against
dining there. Clearly, this is no way to run a business!
You should have chosen this item.
HERMAN: © Jim Unger/Dist. By Newspaper Enterprise Association. Inc.
 How to form your
critical responses???
 Forming Your Critical
Response
๏ Analysis
๏ Interpretation
๏ Synthesis
๏ In forming your critical response, you will
now go beyond what the author has
explicitly written to form your
impressions of the text.
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Analysis
• Analysis is the separation of something into its
parts or elements, which helps to examine them
more closely.
• To analyze reading, you can take at least these
two approaches:
 Choose a question to guide analysis.
 Look at the author’s argument structure.

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Analysis

๏ Examine the argument structure.

 Claims: Statements that require support by
evidence.
 Assumptions: The writer’s underlying
beliefs, opinions, principles, or inferences
that connect evidence to the claims.
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Interpretation

๏ After breaking down the text into its components and

examining them, ask yourself about the conclusions you
can draw from this evidence.
๏ What claims does the author make?
๏ What evidence supports these claims?
๏ Can you infer anything beyond what the author has
explicitly written that either strengthens or weakens the
claims made by the author?
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 Synthesis
๏ Now that you have broken down the text into its
parts, analyzed them, and interpreted it all, you
should make new connections with what you
know.
๏ Ask yourself again:
⊙ What are the main points of this text?
⊙ Were my expectations for this article met?
⊙ If I “read in between the lines” do I learn anything else
about what the author is saying?
⊙ Overall, what can I conclude from this text?

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Reading for Reasoning
๏ It is the process of expressing ideas and
opinions as well as justifying a stand
based on the prior and existing knowledge
and experiences needed to arrive at a
decision
 Reading for Reasoning Techniques

๏ Dare to read every day.

๏ Citing relevant ideas of experts and
authorities in reading materials
definitely help strengthen one’s
stance of an issue.
Reading for Reasoning Techniques

๏ Learn to focus to the main

idea (explicit or implied) and
supporting details mentioned
in the argument.
Reading for Reasoning Techniques

๏ Examine the pros and cons

of your argument/resolution.
๏ This will help you weave the
flow of your thoughts
presented.
Reading for Reasoning Techniques

๏ Organize your thoughts.

๏ Arrange ideas either chronological
order or by emphasis (general to
specific or vice versa). Once
organized, oral and written
expression becomes meaningful.
Reading for Reasoning Techniques

๏ Note points for improvement.

๏ After having justified an issue, recheck
your stand based on your power to
convince the reader/audience.
Moreover, practice, practice so that you
become conscious of becoming better
every time you reason out.
THANK YOU!!!