CRITICAL

READING

1st meeting
Critical Thinking & Reading

→ Critical thinking is: “ the rational examination of ideas, inferences, assumptions, principles, arguments, conclusions,
issues, statements, beliefs and actions” (Bandman & Bandman, 1988)

→ Critical thinking is not being descriptive . . . Sometimes when you read critically, you include lots of Literature but
end up just describing it rather than using it to create a critical argument or discussion

→ Recall that critical reading assumes that each author offers a portrayal of the topic. Critical reading thus
relies on an examination of those choices that any and all authors must make when framing a
presentation: choices of content, language, and structure. Readers examine each of the three areas of
choice, and consider their effect on the meaning.
https://www.stetson.edu/other/writing-program/media/CRITICAL%20READING.pdf
Doing Critical Reading

GOALS OF CRITICAL READING WHAT TO INFER FROM THE TEXT

• to recognize an author’s purpose recognizing purpose involves inferring a basis for choices of content
and language

• to understand tone and persuasive recognizing tone and persuasive elements involves classifying the
elements nature of language choices

• to recognize bias recognizing bias involves classifying the nature of patterns of choice of
content and language

http://www.criticalreading.com/critical_reading.htm
What to do this semester

→ Textbook: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Critical Reading

Can be downloaded from this link:
https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-complete-idiots-guide-to-critical-reading-
e165380818.html

→ Marking:

- 35% UTS

- 35% UAS

- 30% KAT (quiz, assignments)

Please read the 1st and 2nd chapters of the book and find out the answers for the
following questions:

→ “Being critical” can mean both positive and negative. How is being critical as a reader different from making
criticism?

→ What is the importance of curiosity in reading?

→ What’s the difference between active and passive readers?

→ Why is the notion of genre important in critical reading?