Reading Strategies

An idea or way of solving a problem/discussing a

Brainstorming problem by holding a spontaneous group
discussion. It can also be done individually.
Happens when someone uses background
Top-Down knowledge to predict the meaning of
what he/she is reading.

Happens when someone gains knowledge

Bottom-Up
through the text.
Critical Reading as
Reasoning
 Identifying Assertions

Assertions are declarative sentences that claim

something is true about something else.

It is a sentence that is either true or false.

 Examples:
The sampaguita’s roots are used for medical purposes such as an
anesthetic and a sedative.
The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family
Oleaceae.
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is the most evident in
places of worship.
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all
flowers.
Types of Assertion
Types of Assertion
 Testimonies of witnesses
Direct Experiences
Verified observations
Result of the research

A statement that can be

proven objectively.
 Examples:
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is the most evident in
places of worship.
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all
flowers.

The sampaguita’s roots are used for medical purposes such as an

anesthetic and a sedative.

The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family

Oleaceae.
 WTFact!
The adult human body has 206 bones.

Dancing has been scientifically proven to make you healthier and

smarter.
 a view or judgment formed about
something, not necessarily based on
fact or knowledge.
 “Opinions result ambiguities; the more
ambiguous a statement, the more difficult it
is to verify. Thus, they are open to
disputes.”
 Examples:
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is the most evident in
places of worship.
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all
flowers.

The sampaguita’s roots are used for medical purposes such as an

anesthetic and a sedative.

The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family

Oleaceae.
 Fact Opinion
Is objective Is subjective
Is discovered Is created
States reality Interprets reality
Can be verified Cannot be verified
Is based on personal choice; therefore they
are subjective and cannot be objectively
proven or logically attacked.
 Examples:
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is the most evident in
places of worship.
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all
flowers.

The sampaguita’s roots are used for medical purposes such as an

anesthetic and a sedative.

The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family

Oleaceae.
 It is a way in which
something is done, similar
to tradition and norms.
 Examples:
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is the most evident in
places of worship.
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all
flowers.

The sampaguita’s roots are used for medical purposes such as an

anesthetic and a sedative.

The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family

Oleaceae.
 Formulating Counterclaims

Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous

claim.

They provide a contrasting perspective to the main

argument.
 Useful questions to 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 in their arugment?

 Useful questions to help you formulate a
counterclaim

Are there hidden assumptions?

Which line from the text best support the counterclaim you
have formulated?
 Determining Textual Evidence

Evidence is defined as the details given by the author

to support his or her claim. The evidence provided by
the writer substantiates the text.
 Determining Textual Evidence

Facts and Statistics

Opinions from experts Leading authorities on a topic, such as

researchers or academics

Generalizable, relevant on the topic, and

Personal Anecdotes objectively considered.
Characteristics of good evidence
• Unified
• Relevant to the central point
• Specific and concrete
• Accurate
• Representative or typical.