Critical

Reading,
writing, and
Thinking
WEEK 5
 AGENDA

• Reading Strategies
1. Previewing
Previewing

• is a pre-reading strategy to improve the reader’s

ability to focus.

• It requires readers to skim the text to get the main

idea before reading it in detail.

Skimming is a reading technique that is used to get an

overall view, gist or impression of the content.
Better concentration leads to better
understanding.
 Remember T.H.I.E.V.E.S.
Title. Read the title. It gives the reader a gist what the article is about.

Headings. The reader must ask himself: How is the text organized? Is it divided into parts? Are there
subtitles?

Introduction. In this section, the thesis statement is commonly found which summarizes the whole
articles

Every first sentence. Readers just take note what the paragraph is about and how are they connected
to each other. They also make predictions.

Visuals and Vocabulary. What clues do the pictures give about the topic?

End of chapter questions

Summary. Recall the facts that have been skimmed.

2. Contextualizing
Contextualizing

• It literally means studying in context.

• In critical reading, one needs to place the texts in

their historical, biographical, and cultural contexts
to be aware of the differences between the
contemporary ideas and those written in the texts.
Every era is different, to fully decode the text, readers must
take note the significance between the time and place when
and where the article is written and the time and place when
the article is read.
3. Questioning
Questioning

• It is an engaging strategy that helps the readers

clarify and comprehend what he is reading.
The following questions denote critical reading:

• How does the text work? How is it argued?

• What are the choices made? The patterns that result?

• What kinds of reasoning and evidence are used?

• What are the underlying assumptions?

• What does the text mean?

4. Reflecting
Reflecting

• It is a purposeful activity in which a person analyzes

his/her own experiences, or own skills, practice, and
responses in order to learn more and gain improvement.

• Reflection deepens learning and it enables someone to

make sense of the acquired knowledge.
5. Outlining and
Summarizing
Outlining and Summarizing

• It is a reading strategy that organizes ideas and the

main points of the text.
An outline is the skeleton of the text pinpointing the main ideas of
the text.
A summary is a brief account of the important points of something.
It uses the words of the one who did the summarizing; however, it
maintains the ideas presented in the original text.
6. Evaluating the
argument
Evaluating the argument

• When readers evaluate the content, they focus on

information and they consider its connection to
their own viewpoint.

• Readers make evidence-based judgments.

7. Comparing
and
Contrasting
Comparing and Contrasting

• It is a reading strategy that will involve exploring

similarities and differences between related texts.

• Comparing and contrasting texts may help readers

increase understanding of the texts and also, evaluate
the information presented; tell whether whose work is
more accurate, believable and consistent.
Reading Strategies for Critical
Thinking
 1. Improve your • Read a wide range of text.

vocabulary words. • Have a dictionary at all times.

• Never assume the meaning of a
word that you are unfamiliar
with.
• Keep a vocabulary journal where
you write down all words that
you learn on a daily or weekly
basis.
 1. Improve your
vocabulary words.
• Learn at least three words a day
and try using them in sentences.
• Find opportunities to apply the
learned words in actual
conversations.
2. Mind your reading BE CONCSCIOUS OF YOUR
comprehension skills. RECALLS.

• Try to recall and explain the key

points on your own words after each
section.
• Avoid reading at a slower pace just to
compensate for your comprehension.
• Use a line guide.
3. Improve your • Keep in mind that the reading pace
reading speed. depends on the type of material you are
reading and your goal.
• Proactively focus on 2-4 words at a
time instead of fixating on a per word
reading basis.
• Read with your eyes and mind.
• Practice makes perfect.
3. Improve your
reading speed. • Force yourself to read at a faster rate for
short periods of time.
• Go at a speed that is uncomfortable but
you are still comprehending the
material.
• Avoid rereading as much as possible.
• You should never read at a rate that is
slower than your average rate.
4. Apply the SQ3R Survey, Question, Read,
Method Recite and Review

This is an active reading method

that, although will seem time
consuming at the beginning, can
still enhance your reading
comprehension and learning
efficiency.
5. Do Skimming ✔ Skimming will help you locate the information
6. Do Scanning
quickly. It will also increase the amount of

usable material you obtain for your research.

✔ Scanning is reading a text quickly in order to

find specific information

7. Make inferences • Take two or more details from
the reading and see if you
can draw a conclusion.
• When you are asked an
inference question, go back
over the reading and look for
hints within the text.