Critical Reading as
Reasoning
Critical reading is engaging in analytic activity
which involves the reader by asking questions about
the text and the author’s claim. Critical readers are
doing the process of evaluating, analyzing, and
interpreting the assertion of the hidden meaning of the
entire text.
On the other hand, reasoning as defined in
Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an act of giving
statements for justification and explanation. It is the
ability of someone to defend something by giving out
reasons.
Therefore, when reading critically, it is necessary to
question the different arguments used by the author, as
any problem can weaken the authenticity of the
conclusion.
Remember that critical reading is not meant to
criticize but to assess the validity of textual evidence.
Steps Used in Critical Reading as Reasoning
1. Identifying assertions/claims
Identify by a common type of assertion such as fact,
convention, opinion, and preference
2. Formulating a counterclaim
Counterclaims are made to rebut a previous claim
3. Determining evidence
Evidence is the details given by the authors to support
his/her claims
High school students who sleep less than six hours a night perform
worse on tests than those who get at least eight hours. A study by the National
Sleep Foundation found that students who slept fewer than six hours scored
20% lower on cognitive tests than their well-rested peers. Lack of sleep affects
memory retention, concentration, and problem-solving abilities, all of which
are crucial for academic success. Additionally, chronic sleep deprivation has
been linked to increased stress and difficulty in managing schoolwork, further
contributing to lower performance in exams.
High school students who sleep less than six hours a night perform worse on
tests than those who get at least eight hours.
Spending too much time on social media is harmful to students' mental
health. Psychologists warn that excessive social media use can lead to anxiety
and depression, as teens compare themselves to unrealistic online portrayals
and experience cyberbullying. A study from the National Institute of Mental
Health found that teenagers who spend more than three hours daily on social
media are more likely to report feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction.
While social media can be a source of entertainment and connection, its
negative impact on self-esteem and emotional well-being cannot be ignored.
Spending too much time on social media is harmful to students'
mental health.
Other people say that the tobacco industry helps our
economy; however, cigarettes still bring a lot of
problems. First, the smoke from cigarettes is harmful to
the health of both smokers and non-smokers. It is
known to be the leading cause of lung cancer which
may result to death. Second, it contributes to air
pollution. Despite it boosting our economy, I strongly
believe that the mentioned negative effects are more
valid for people to stop consuming cigarettes.
High school students who sleep less than six hours a
night perform worse on tests than those who get at least
eight hours. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found
that students who slept fewer than six hours scored 20%
lower on cognitive tests than their well-rested peers. Lack of
sleep affects memory retention, concentration, and problem-
solving abilities, all of which are crucial for academic
success. However, some argue that many students perform
well despite getting less sleep, relying on caffeine and study
techniques to compensate. While this may be true for a few
individuals, research consistently shows that chronic sleep
deprivation negatively impacts learning, making adequate
rest essential for all students.
Spending too much time on social media is bad for
students’ mental health. Experts say that constantly
looking at perfect pictures online can make teens feel
bad about themselves. It can also lead to anxiety,
stress, and even cyberbullying. A study found that
teens who use social media for more than three hours a
day often feel more lonely and unhappy. However, some
argue that social media is helpful because it allows
teens to connect with friends and express themselves.
While this is true, too much time online can still cause
problems, especially if students don’t set limits.
Statistical Evidence
The strongest type of evidence in formal
writing is statistical evidence. This ranges from
true, hard data presented as a percentage or
number, to survey-type data.
For example, statistical evidence could be:
• Four out of five experts claim that...
• 85% of women in the United States...
• Seven members were present during.
Testimonial Evidence
The use of celebrities as credibility evidence
can be considered testimonial in nature. Many
people look up to celebrities as role models in
their lives. Good or bad, when a person chooses
a life path that takes them into public light,
there will be many others out there who want to
emulate the celebrity. These celebrity
endorsements provide the second-strongest
type of evidence found in formal arguments.
Example:
Heart Evangelista, a well-known actress
and fashion buff, recommends that
Olay lotion is good on our skin.
Testimonial evidence can also be collected from
experts and authorities in a given field. Doctors,
dentists, lawyers often provide expert
testimonials. Their authority is not often
questions. They are expected to "know their
stuff."
According to Dr. Amanda Richards, a psychologist specializing
in adolescent mental health, excessive social media use among
teenagers has been linked to increased anxiety and depression.
Anecdotal Evidence
When storytelling is involved as
evidence, anecdotal evidence is being
used. Due to its less objective nature,
anecdotal evidence is not extremely
strong. But when coupled with statistical
or testimonial evidence, anecdotal
evidence can be highly effective in
determining credibility or proof.
Example:
After living for decades in Quezon, I can
honestly say that the people there are
kind and hospitable.
Example
You are asking your father for an Android phone—that
is your claim.
Then, your father answers you, “I am sorry, but you
couldn’t.”—this is his counterclaim.
He might say that you already have a cellphone.
Now, you are going to formulate a reason for your
counterclaim. You may say that the reason you are
asking for an Android phone is because you need to
use it for your online class and would be very helpful
in the new normal classroom setup.
