TEXT & CONTEXT

CONNECTIONS
(Critical Reading)

• Critical reading is a type of reading whereby the
reader analyzes and interpret the reading material to know of
it presents logical ideas and connection of ideas. It may or
may not involve evaluation of the strength of the writer’s
point.

• It is done when a reader would like to understand the text’s
deeper meaning because it is a way of knowing how a writer
thinks. In doing so, the reader first identifies the purpose of
the write in writing the text – to inform, entertain, persuade,
and so on.

• It is where the reader go through the author’s ideas and
assess whether the purpose of the writer is achieved by
evaluating the validity of the facts, opinions, and interferences
presented.

. predictions. or values.You will know if the statement is…… • FACT if it can be proven through verifiable evidence such as historical documents or statistics. judgments. • INFERENCES if it is concluding which are made after considering all the other ideas presented in the text. • OPINIONS if it expresses the writer’s personal preferences.

. that is called claim of fact.  When an author is claiming that a particular statement is true. that is called claim of policy.  When an author is claiming in the argument that something is important. Determining Claims Made in a Text • An argument is a statement of opinion which purpose is to persuade or inform. that is called claim of value. • An argument contains the writer’s claim which may be classified into different types :  When an author is claiming in the argument that something should be implemented.

. HYPERTEXTS INTERTEXTS. Context of Text Development • Two context of text development are essential in understanding texts in the sense that they offer additional information that helps the reader comprehend what the writer tries to convey through the text.

They are a device in linking a text to another. HYPERTEXTS Hypertexts are very common in online writings. . Hypertexts are text displayed on a computer display or other electronic devices with references (hyperlinks) to other text which the reader can immediately access. It helps you get informed about a particular word. name. or concept in the text that may not be familiar to you. WWW (world wide web) is a simple and basic example of hypertext.

and many literary devices that make you use your prior knowledge. a reader must have read or is familiar with the other texts that the writer is alluding to. • From the prefix inter-. you will likely find allusions. imagery. intertext means that the writer has put together ideas from different sources. Such devices are called intertext. . INTERTEXT • when you encounter texts that make you draw information on the readings that you have read previously. and that to understand the text.

are manipulated in a way that allows them to co-exist within the same text. 3 TYPES OF INTERTEXTUAL RELATIONSHIPS OBLIGATORY OPTIONAL ACCIDENTAL These variations depend on two key factors:  the intention of the writer. The distinctions between these types and those differences between categories are not absolute and exclusive (Miola. . and  the significance of the reference. 2004) but instead.

WRITING SUMMARY • A product of critical reading • Compose of the INTRODUCTION. BODY and CONCLUSION • Steps in writing a good summary PREWRITING DRAFTING .

4. restate the main idea support the claim in the and add some last thoughts of thesis? the author in the text.What is the title of the 1. Lastly. text? 2.What is the main idea or will bridge the gap between the thesis of the text? What introduction and the body paragraphs which must contain is the text about? What is the supporting points made in the author’s claim? the text by the author. Begin writing your summary by stating the thesis or main idea text? of the text including the name 2. .PREWRITING DRAFTING 1.What are the points 3.Who is the author of the of the author and date of publication. Provide transition device that 3. presented by the author to 4. Generalize some specific details for conciseness.

is describing…. Conclusion The author concludes that…. In this text….. you may use the phrases below: Parts of Summary Useful Phrases In the article entitled………. For easy writing/composing THE SUMMARY... He/She mentions…. Ultimately. He/She also gives many examples of…. .. He/She clarifies what he/she means by… Body (author’s name) begins by discussing…. (author’s name)…...claims/states/contends/points out that…… Introduction (author’s name)’s basic argument can be summarized by ……. for (author’s name)….

incorporated in the text? . •Is the arrangement of the format. that is. specific details logical? • You may want to include •Have I acknowledge the pictures in your manuscript sources of the information I and write a caption. •Have I used transitions to • Do this by checking for make my ideas coherent? spelling.REVISING PROOFREADING Revision Checklist • Proofread your draft if you •Does my summary contain think that your essay needs a main point? no further revision. punctuation. and grammar errors. •Does my summary contain • if you have conformed to the sufficient ideas? description pattern’s specific •Are the ideas accurate? features.

. When a writer presents his or her opinions or arguments. CRITICAL READING can now be define as…. claim of policy or a claim of value. he or she may do so by presenting a claim of fact. . Looking for ways of thinking because it involves trying to determine the way the writer of a particular text thinks.

. Evaluating Text through Writing • Evaluating texts is assessing the degree to which the author’s ideas are valid. By doing so. you are not only trying to find out the rationality behind the author’s arguments but also testing your ability to detect logical fallacies or errors in reasoning.

The first step is to express your assertions about the text. 2. 2 Steps In Composing Evaluative Statements 1. The next step is to support your assertions with pieces of evidence you can find in the text. . checked for FALLACIES Fallacies occur when illogical reasoning is used to support a faulty argument. Considering that faulty arguments are difficult to support with logical reasoning. Formulating Evaluative Statements After reading carefully and critically.

make inferences and conclusions. These assertions usually contain evaluative language such as useful. you have to examine which ideas are facts or opinions. practical. and assess the overall quality of the text. comprehensive. important. insightful. detailed. . Formulating Assertions about the Content and Properties of a Text Read • In formulating assertions. significant. etc. up-to-date.

you are providing criticism since you are stating that the claim is not true. hedges are used. Considering that academic or professional writing requires a courteous tone. A hedge is a word or phrase that minimizes the negative impact of a criticism. Formulating Meaningful Counterclaims in Response to Claims Made in a Text Read • You must recognize the value of hedges when you state your counterclaims. . When you are presenting a counterclaim.

Notice the difference between the two sentences: •.g. etc. would. probably. Obesity is caused by the bad food choices being offered by the food industry.g. generally.Hedges could come in different forms. may. possibly. . such as: 1. Frequency adverbs (e. Obesity is probably caused by the bad food choices being offered by the food industry.) 2. could. Modals (e. usually. commonly) 3. Probability adverbs (e. The hedge probably in the second sentence somehow removed the accusing tone of the first sentence. •.g. presumably) And so on….

Since your evidence is in the form of text. it is called textual evidence. quantity. In using textual evidence. • Objective evidence is information from the text which is considered as solid support because this includes specific information such as scores. you ought to support your claim in your statement by quoting an idea presented in the text. you have to make sure that you have cited both the objective or subjective evidence. . This includes assertions and inferences made by the author that can be used to prove the evaluation of the reviewer. and percentages • subjective evidence is textual evidence that is not measurable or specific. Determining Textual Evidence When you give comments on a text read.

the summary and the response itself. In writing reading responses. it will be easier if you will write marginal notes or annotate the text with your reaction on every element or idea in the text as you read. • A reading response has two parts. In writing a response. Writing a Response to a Read Text • Writing a response is one way of evaluating a text you have read. you will make use of your skill in writing summaries because you must first lay out your understanding of the text before you can actually express the extent to which you agree or disagree with the author on a particular element of his/her writing. .

Examine the connection between the author’s profile and the author’s claim 2.Think about the audience and purpose of the text 3.Ask questions about the ideas presented in the text 4.Look for evidence in the text that could support your evaluation of whether the author’s arguments are agreeable or not. . Be prepared to do the following: 1.

You should not answering the questions forget to support your for writing a summary and response with textual consolidating your evidence. The List down ideas and first part will be the summary information that you will of the text followed by the include in your reading second part which is the response paper by response.PREWRITING DRAFTING Write a two-part essay. You may want to response notes or use the sample phrases for reactions you have written writing evaluative statements while reading the text you in the previous discussion would like to respond to. about formulating evaluative statements. .

• Reading (author’s name)’s article. • The author is right…. a reader may well be convinced that… • In general.In order for the ideas to flow smoothly in the text. I agree with… although I think that… • The author fails to consider the fact that… • The author makes a valid point when he/she says… • The author’s argument rests on the premise that… • The author’s argument suffers from serious shortcoming…. you may use the following phrases: • The author seeks to criticize… • (author’s name) prove/puts forth…. .

if you assertion? have conformed to the •Does my critique include textual evidence that will description pattern’s support my assertion? specific features. that is. •Have I used transitions that format. punctuation. and grammar can make my ideas flow logically and smoothly? errors. .REVISION PROOFREADING Revision Checklist • Proofread your draft if •Have I identified accurately the you think that your writer’s claim? essay needs to further •Does my critique contain an revision. •Are my evaluations fair and • Do this by checking for clear? spelling.

but through adequate practice. then discuss the pieces of evidence mentioned in the text to prove your assertion. which will serve as your thesis statement. it will eventually be much easier.Responding to texts by reading critically may not be that easy. begin with a general assertion. . Make sure that your arguments are logical by reviewing each one for possible fallacies. In writing evaluations.

5. Previewing: Learning about a text before really reading it. 4. 6. 7. 3. Outlining and summarizing: Identifying the main ideas and restating them in your own words. Contextualizing: Placing a text in its historical. Comparing and contrasting related readings: Exploring likenesses and differences between texts to understand them better. Questioning to understand and remember: Asking questions about the content. and cultural contexts. 7 CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES 1. . Evaluating an argument: Testing the logic of a text as well as its credibility and emotional impact. biographical. Reflecting on challenges to your beliefs and values: Examining your personal responses. 2.

php and answer at least FIVE READING COMPREHENSION PRACTICE TESTS. . Performance Task Access http://www.com/sat/critical-reading. Print your score and submit.majortests.