Be a critical reader:

you have to ask yourself questions while reading:

• What issue does the writer focus on?
• Does the writer take a clear stand on this issue?
• What is the writer’s purpose for writing?
• Who is the audience for this writing?
• What evidence does the writer use to support the essay’s thesis?
• Does the writer include enough evidence?
 SOAPS
1- Speaker, Occasion ( formal or informal ), and Subject:
In the (type of text ), (Title of text) , (Writer’s credentials), (writer’s first and last name (strong
verb) (writer’s subject).
E.g. In their article, Investigating the Effectiveness of YouTube as a Learning Tool among EFL
Students at Baghdad University, the researchers, Nawal Fadhil Abbas and Tabarek Ali Qassim,
investigate the effectiveness of YouTube as a learning tool among EFl students.
2- Purpose ( inform – persuade – entertain ):
(Writer’s last name)’s purpose is to (what the writer does in the text).
E.g. The purpose of the researchers is to persuade the audience that using technology in
classrooms is essential.
3- Audience:
He/she adopts a[n] (adjective describing the attitude/feeling conveyed by the writer) in order to
(verb phrase describing what the writer wants readers to do/think) in his/her (intended audience).
E.g. To achieve their purpose, the researchers adopt multiple persuasive techniques in order to
persuade the teachers to use YouTube in their classrooms.
4- Identify the part of the text you are analyzing by using transitionl words and strong
verbs to explain what is being said.
E.g. At the beginning of the article, the authors announce their academic degrees to
enhance the credibility of their purpose (ethos).

5- Identify the strongest persuasive techniques used in that particular section. This
includes incorporating specific text examples.

6- Clearly and specifically explain how the persuasive techniques are used to help the
writer achieve his purpose and reach his audience.

7- Summarise the main techniques that the writer has used to persuade the reader.
Strong verbs
implies- trivializes –flatters- qualifies- processes- describes- suggests
denigrates -lionizes –dismisses- analyzes -questions –compares- vilifies
praises –supports- enumerates- contrasts- emphasizes- demonizes
establishes- admonishes- expounds- argues- defines -ridicules
minimizes –narrates- lists- warns
 Short answers for the sample critiquing paragraph

• What issue does the writer focus on?
• Do the writers take a clear stand on this
issue?
• Investigating the effectiveness of YouTube
as a learning tool among EFL students at
Baghdad university
• Yes, they are for using YouTube in
classrooms.

• to persuade the teachers to use YouTube

• What is the writer’s purpose for writing?
inside the classroom

• Who is the audience for this writing? • Teachers

• What evidence does the writer use to • Persuasive techniques (ethos, logos, and
support the essay’s thesis? pathos)

• Does the writer include enough evidence? • Yes