EXPLAIN CRITICIAL READING AS REASONING

Objectives
• To understand the concept of critical reading as reasoning.
• To identify the benefits of critical reading in our daily life.
• To develop the skills necessary for critical reading.

Background
Think about the last article, book or news report you read. What was it about?
What was the main argument or point of view? Did you agree or disagree with the
author's opinion? Why or why not?
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce critical reading as a way to improve our
comprehension of written texts. Critical reading involves evaluating the arguments
presented in a text and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. This skill is essential for
making informed decisions, solving problems, and communicating effectively.

Read and Analyze

Let's take a look at an example of critical reading. Suppose you are reading an
article about the benefits of a vegetarian diet. Here are some questions you might ask
to evaluate the author's argument:

• What evidence does the author provide to support their claim?

(DATA, QOUTATION, NEWS, SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION)
• Are there any flaws in the author's reasoning or evidence?
(INCONSISTENCY OF DATA, FALSE DATA)
• Are there any counterarguments the author doesn't address?
(BALANCE OF ARGUMENTS)
• Does the author consider the potential drawbacks or challenges of a vegetarian
diet?
(TAKING THE OTHER SIDE)
• What are the implications of the author's argument for the reader?
(IMPACT DRAWN)

By asking these questions, you are engaging in critical reading. You are not just
accepting the author's argument at face value, but instead evaluating it based on
evidence and reasoning.

Reasoning Questions to Explain Critical Reading

Here are some other questions you can use to guide your critical reading:
• What is the main argument or point of view presented in the text?
• What evidence or reasoning is provided to support this argument?
• Are there any logical fallacies or flaws in the argument?
• Are there any assumptions or biases underlying the argument?
• What are the implications or consequences of accepting the argument?

By asking these questions, you can develop a deeper understanding of the text and its
underlying arguments.
Generalization Points
Critical reading is an essential skill for academic and professional success. It
involves evaluating written texts for their arguments, evidence, and underlying
assumptions. Critical reading is a key component of critical thinking, which involves
analyzing and evaluating information from multiple sources to make informed decisions
and solve problems.
5 Powerful Tips to Easily Understand a Text with Proper Reasoning:

Take notes while you read: Writing down your thoughts and questions as you read can
help you stay engaged with the text and identify key arguments and evidence.
Read actively: Don't just skim the text, but instead actively engage with it by asking
questions and evaluating the arguments presented.
Look for patterns and connections: Identify patterns and connections between different
parts of the text to help you better understand the author's argument.
Consider alternative perspectives: Evaluate the author's argument in light of alternative
perspectives or counterarguments.
Evaluate the author's credibility: Consider the author's expertise, bias, and motivation
when evaluating their argument.

READ THIS ARTICLE:

Criticize it by answering the questions given.

The dangers of sleep disorders

It might seem, on the surface, a trivial problem health-wise for Filipinos who face a slew of
ailments, diseases, and potential plagues, not to mention hunger and deprivation that
already keep them up at night. But sleep disorders pose a serious health challenge, and can
lead to other life-threatening conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure,
heart disease, stroke, and poor mental health.
About 50 to 70 million adults in the United States have sleep disorders, according to the
National Institutes of Health. There are no available data on sleep disorders in the
Philippines but thousands of Filipinos have most likely developed them and the number is
expected to increase as the distractions of modern life and the disruptions caused by
globalization increasingly leave many vulnerable. Most Filipinos, per Sen. Mark Villar,
author of Senate Bill No. 2063 or the proposed Sleep Disorder Awareness and Education Act,
may not even be aware that sleep disorders exist despite their serious and deleterious
effects on one’s health.

SB 2063 wants the Department of Health (DOH) to craft programs that will improve the
identification of patients who have sleep disorders, increase awareness, and provide
training to teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, etc., to assist and prevent such
disorders. More importantly, the measure directs the DOH to provide free medical
assistance and therapy to those who are suffering from them. Among the sleep disorders
mentioned in the bill are insomnia, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. But
while most of these conditions can be treated or prevented, “less than one-third of people
suffering from the disorder seek professional help,” Villar said.

It might seem, on the surface, a trivial problem health-wise for Filipinos who face a slew of
ailments, diseases, and potential plagues, not to mention hunger and deprivation that
already keep them up at night. But sleep disorders pose a serious health challenge, and can
lead to other life-threatening conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure,
heart disease, stroke, and poor mental health.
About 50 to 70 million adults in the United States have sleep disorders, according to the
National Institutes of Health. There are no available data on sleep disorders in the
Philippines but thousands of Filipinos have most likely developed them and the number is
expected to increase as the distractions of modern life and the disruptions caused by
globalization increasingly leave many vulnerable. Most Filipinos, per Sen. Mark Villar,
author of Senate Bill No. 2063 or the proposed Sleep Disorder Awareness and Education Act,
may not even be aware that sleep disorders exist despite their serious and deleterious
effects on one’s health.
ADVERTISEMENT
SB 2063 wants the Department of Health (DOH) to craft programs that will improve the
identification of patients who have sleep disorders, increase awareness, and provide
training to teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, etc., to assist and prevent such
disorders. More importantly, the measure directs the DOH to provide free medical
assistance and therapy to those who are suffering from them. Among the sleep disorders
mentioned in the bill are insomnia, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. But
while most of these conditions can be treated or prevented, “less than one-third of people
suffering from the disorder seek professional help,” Villar said.
Those suffering from sleep disorders can include call center agents, estimated at 1.3 million
with the Philippines dubbed as the call center capital of the world, who are forced to work
during the hours they normally sleep due to the time difference with clients in other
countries, or health care and other workers on night shifts. Then there are seniors whose
normal “circadian rhythms,” which govern wakefulness and sleepiness, are disrupted by
age. Some individuals also fall victim to such conditions as sleep apnea, which makes it
difficult to maintain normal breathing patterns and even induces some to stop breathing
temporarily, heavy snoring, restless leg syndrome that disrupts sleep, and general anxiety
and sleep interruption including nightmares and sleepwalking.
Sleep disorders disrupt a person’s daytime routine or hamper the person’s ability to
function optimally when needed—a person deprived of sleep can be unproductive at work
and may even get into accidents on the road. Their overall health is also affected and could
lead to heart disease, circulatory difficulties, and depression. Authorities said sleep
disturbances can seriously impair functioning and health. Adults need seven to eight hours
of sleep a day, said a medicine website, and if one doesn’t get enough sleep, memory,
focus, mood, strength, and even the immune system may suffer.
Dr. Oragun Rojanapairat, a sleep medicine expert at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center said
that “If you’re going to bed at a reasonable time for your schedule and still waking up
exhausted most days, don’t assume your sleep issue will disappear without finding and
addressing the cause. Most patients wait until long after they start struggling to seek help.”
Free medical assistance from the government for people suffering from sleep disorders will
be a huge help at a time when more and more Filipinos, due to the demands of the job
market, high stress levels of modern life, or even the availability of devices that interrupt
sleep, are finding it harder to fall asleep, remain asleep through the night, or wake up
refreshed and renewed.
Certainly, Villar’s proposal to get a more accurate and comprehensive count of the number
of Filipinos afflicted by sleep disorders is a move in the right direction. So is a full
accounting of medical experts on the treatment of sleep disorders. The medical community
should educate patients on the causes, symptoms, and cures for sleep disorders. It is also
time for policymakers, including employers and employee representatives, to study the
issue closely and come up with solutions that address both the need for sleep and the
demands of nontraditional work arrangements.

But first, those suffering from sleep disorders should be made aware of their condition, the
toll it takes on their health and on others (such as passengers and pedestrians at the hands of
sleep-deprived drivers), and the long-term effects on their health, mental condition, and
relationships.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

• What is the main argument or point of view presented in the text?

• What evidence or reasoning is provided to support this argument?
• Are there any logical fallacies or flaws in the argument?
• Are there any assumptions or biases underlying the argument?
• What are the implications or consequences of accepting the argument?