Critical Reading and Writing

Our Lady of Fatima University – Pampanga

College of English
PRELIMS
from the described key points and be able to
INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL READING compare them with other texts of the same topic
CRITICAL READING
It is explained as the manner of engaging INTERPRETATION OF A TEXT
yourself in what you read by asking questions like: The reader should be able to objectively
“what does the author mean?” analyze the
“what message is being text in parts and in whole.
conveyed in the text”
“what is the argument raised?”
● The process of critical reading involves “Critical reading allows a reader to understand the
raising a reasoned, logical and balanced content of the text, the descriptions
argument that analyzes and evaluates the contained, and the interpretation of the author in
text. order to scrutinize the elements involved,
● Thus, being a critical reader means that you including the style, composition and language. “
have achieved a higher level of
comprehension, have stayed open-minded CRITICAL READING AS A DAILY ROUTINE
all throughout, and have continued to learn ● READING TAKES A LOT OF TIME,
and embrace knowledge and wisdom ESPECIALLY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
outside your own standards and beliefs. WHERE EVALUATION AND analysis are
● To critically read a text is to apply your staple parts of the reading process
discretion to what you are reading. You do .
not take everything you read at face value. ● READING FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES
You will be faced with the writer’s insights NEED NOT BE CHALLENGING. IT IS, AND
and interpretations when reading texts for SHOULD always be, an active process
academic purposes. which leads to the development of the
● Expectedly, different writers have their own reader.
points of view and biases. For this reason,
critically examining everything you read to ● THIS IS bound to happen only when the
check for intentional and unintentional reader becomes consistently conscious of
omissions, grounds for arguments, and the nature and content of the text, and
inconsistencies is of utmost importance. everything that the author implies behind
● You will be expected to understand and the text.
interpret different viewpoints in the
academe, which are important in making ● read not only the text but also the mind who
your own judgments. wrote it.

What does critically reading reflects on? ● We learn more perspectives in life the more
1. CONTEXT OF A TEXT we read.
The reader should be able to interpret and
explain the main points of the text ● Hence, making reading a habit widens our
on his or her own words. horizons and allows us to always look at the
2. DESCRIPTION OF A TEXT bigger picture from a vantage point
The reader should be able to create his or
her own examples based ● Making critical reading a habit does not only
require you to read every day but also to
 absorb as much as you can, to integrate the development and professional
valuable ones to your own principles and advancement.
values, and to adopt the attitude necessary ● The more we develop our reading capacity,
to keep yourself inspired in reading the more proficient we become in accepting
and rejecting what we read.
HOW READING DEVELOPS? ● This, by nature, is practicing critical reading
to the best of our abilities.

GOAL OF READING
● ACADEMIC PURPOSES
● PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
● ENTERTAINMENT
● GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE
WE READ FACTUAL INFORMATION, OR AT
LEAST, TRY TO, AMIDST THE
● We learn to add new words to our 1. WORLD OF FAKE news and unverified
vocabulary on a daily basis, and use them information in the internet.
in our own sentences.
2. Depending upon the reader, a level of
● We start challenging what textbook call interpretation may be applied, and if reading
“facts” as we adopt a skeptic attitude, which fiction
leads to curiosity and later on, discovery. as part of an English Literature degree, then
analysis of the author's writing style,
● We start asking and start answering motives, and other elements is imperative.
questions. Finally, we learn to integrate
reading and learning in the truest sense. 3. A LOT OF PEOPLE READ NEWSPAPERS
IN PRINT OR ONLINE. THEY DO IT TO
● As we progress down the academic path BE INFORMED.- However, since bias and
and absorb more bits of knowledge and partisan politics are widespread in mass
perspectives, our principles, values and media, opinions are sometimes delivered as
beliefs also start crumble, some of which factual statements.This is damaging to
are permanently changed through the learning as influence is sometimes brought
influence of other sources and people. not by value but by popularity

● The wide gamut of information available to ● One example of this is the proliferation of
us makes thinking more complex as we fake news as told by some social media
have to consider more things than usual. influencers who click before they think. This
is irresponsible but remains tolerated by
● Our accumulating experience also adds many people until now. Thus, the goal of
challenge, although these inevitable factors reading should be to learn, not to be
are necessary for learning and progression. updated with what famous people are
talking about.
● This process of transitioning from mere data ● STUDENTS do not realize is that this
gathering to a deeper level of mindset and attitude may only be helpful to
consciousness that involves analysis and a certain degree when still studying, not
evaluation is crucial for our own personal when venturing in the real world as a
professional.
 ● Furthermore, this mindset is the reason why • CRITICAL READERS
not all students who graduate display ✓ When studying history, they gather as much
competitiveness and efficiency at work. information as possible, stitch
● Lastly, many students read to memorize, the different interpretations together, and validate
and not read to comprehend, analyze, and the ones that are
interpret the text. supported by logical or scientific explanations.
● This is the reason why memorization is ✓ A text only provides the author’s own
considered as the lowest form of interpretation of facts. This
intelligence interpretation may be considered valid or invalid

ADOPTING HEALTHY ATTITUDE IN READING NATURE OF THE TEXT

✓ LEARN MEANING AND IDENTIFY -Knowing more about the nature of the text
VALUE RATHER THAN ABSORB prepares you better in understanding the topic,
EVERYTHING AT FACE VALUE. following references, raising arguments and flowing
✓ ABLE TO FOLLOW THE FLOW OF THE with the discussion.
STORY AND PREDICT what’s bound to
happen by drawing conclusions What questions should you raise?
✓ MAKE INFERENCES AS PRIORITY 1. .What is the title? Does it reflect the topic?
over being able to familiarize yourself with the 2. What details, style and arguments do you
specific details. expect?
3. What do you currently know about the
How to keep positive attitude when reading topic? Are there gaps and grey areas with
• EQUIP YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS- yourcurrent knowledge of the topic?
One has to equip himself or herself 4. Is there any need for background reading
With tools that make learning more convenient and prior to reading the current text in order to
less tiresome. make understanding faster and more fluid?
• MAKE A QUALITY DICTIONARY “These information are often reflected on the
available for access at all times-Use this in cover, preface and table of content of the book.
case you encounter unfamiliar terminologies that For stories, the synopsis at the back can give
cannot be understood with context clues you the information that you need. “
alone.
• EMOTIONALLY DETACH Who are the stakeholders?
yourself from the text.- Subjective reading 1. Who is in concern in the issue?
clouds judgment. In fact, many authors try to 2. Who controls the result of the issue?
influence readers by using their own emotions 3. Who are the key decision makers or key
against them. One has to maintain objectivity when contributors in creating and resolving the
reading as this allows a person to analyze the text issue?
using logic and not feelings. 4. Who is affected by the issue?
“Quipping yourself with prior knowledge before
Differentiating Facts from Interpretation reading the text can help you identify the
• NON-CRITICAL READERS biases of the authors, and possibly the
✓ Text is a source of fact. They memorize to unintentional errors.”
absorb "so called" facts.
✓ When studying history, they believe the book What do you know about the author?
that describes events the • What is the background of the author?
clearest • What are his or her goals in writing the text?
• What do you know about the author?
 o It is possible that the text is no longer They are published quickly and can be written by
consistent with the author’s prior works or anyone. Authorship is not limited to
statements, so you need to consider some credentials, writing ability or substance, as fame,
information: with or without credibility,
o When was the text published? sometimes suffices as qualification for writing
o Where was it published? non-academic articles.
o Who was the publisher? There are also times when creativity is favored over
❖ These information can help the reader credibility.
understand the reason behind the inconsistency. ● Because these texts are non-scientific and
The text may no longer be updated or may be the non-systematic, references are not required
updated one. and consistency is a choice, not a
❖ The place of publication may also prompt the requirement.
author to slightly alter the content to fit in ● Informality may be preferred over formality
the culture of the target readers in a particular area. since these texts normally target the
❖ Sometimes, the publisher also influences the masses and not the experts and
creative direction of the book, so the author professionals. A reference list is optional as
might write things that he or she does not fully well.
agree with, all of the sake of ● Non-academic articles are considered as
marketability. This happens not only in the secondary sources and should never be
publishing industry but also in the music prioritized over academic articles as
industry where artistry is sacrificed for commercial references.
appeal. ● Most of your references should also come
ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC TEXT from academic articles, not non-academic
ACADEMIC ARTICLE articles to uphold credibility.
● These are written by experts in a particular
field. STEPS IN CRITICAL READING
● They are not self published. Rather, the Developing the Habit
manuscript goes through a series of editing, In order to make critical reading a habit, one
typesetting and quality checking performed needs to have the genuine desire to learn and
by other experts in a peer-review setting. discover new things. There should be a compelling
● The language used here is formal, reason to stick with it as a habit, and that is to
sometimes containing jargons and other develop oneself and achieve competitiveness in the
technical stylistic choices. future.
● The authors are well represented in 1. Prioritize reading-
academic articles as their names, It is understandable for everyone to
credentials and affiliations build the text’s get busy at times,
credibility and reputation. The references 2. Find informative books of good value-
are also compiled to support the veracity of Good books are not merely
all information included in the text. entertaining. They are worth reading for
● Lastly, academic articles are considered as their substance—for the golden knowledge
primary sources as they have been and wisdom
scientifically and systematically researched 3. Have your reading habit planned
and written. They also undergo strict peer You basically add one more chore to
review process, which sometimes takes your already busy day when you set a
years to finish. schedule for reading on a daily basis.
4. Do not limit your reading habit
NON-ACADEMIC ARTICLES Read as much as you can, as often
● These are written for the mass public. as you
want Create questions from information printed in the
5. Be a morning reader margins.
Experts recommend reading early in
the morning because the mind is clearer RECITE
and the body is most relaxed at this time. Take time to paraphrase what you read out
6. Try speed reading loud while reading. Try to associate read material
Speed reading allows you to cover with life experience.
and finish books much faster without REVIEW
sacrificing comprehension. Review starts with organization.Review your
notes and questions
THE CRITICAL READING PROCESS created for the daily lesson or chapter

Step 1: Analyze the critical reading components 5. Do skimmingWhat is skimming?

Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities ● Speedy reading for general meaning.
Step 3: List down questions. ● Lets your eyes skip over sentences or
Step 4: Take down notes phrases that contain details.
Step 5: Evaluate the text ● Allows you to concentrate on identifying the
Step 6: Mind map from memory central or main points.
Step 7: Consolidate your knowledge ● Pre-views a selection of text prior to etailed
reading.
READING STRATEGIES ● Refreshes understanding of a text following
1. Improve your vocabulary detailed reading.
Read a wide range of texts to give yourself ● Speed reading at basic level.
a varied vocabulary background.Have a dictionary ● Works best with non-fiction or factual texts.
at all times. ● Speed ranges from 700-1000 words per
2. Mind your reading comprehension skills minute.
Try to recall and explain key poins in your SKIMMING
own words after each sections. This speed reading process takes place
3. Improve your reading speed while reading and allows you to look for details in
Keep in mind that the reading pace depends addition to the main ideas.
on thetype of materials you are reading and your
goal. Proactively focus on 2-4 words at a 6. Do scanning- What is scanning?
time instead of fixating on a per word reading basis ● Passing the vision speedily over a selection
4. Apply SQ3R Method - Survey, Question, of text to find specific words or phrases.
Read, Recite and Review ● Skipping over large portions of texts to find
This is an active reading method that, what you are looking form
although will seem time consuming at the ● Speed ranges above 1000 words per
beginning, can still enhance your reading minute
comprehension and learning efficiency. ● Covers more area than skimming within the
same amount of time.
SURVEY ● Does not require reading of entire texts.
Scan over the table of contents of a new ● May be limited to specific information and
book to have a clear understanding of its content may not help the reader understand the
and plan your reading in advance. general idea.
QUESTION
Turn the subheadings into questions before SCANNING
proceeding to read. Know what you are looking for. Decide on a
few key words or phrases–
search terms, if you will. objects they reference.
SPEED READING
7 .Make Inferences- the process of rapidly recognizing and
Inferences - means concluding based on absorbing phrases or sentences on a page all at
knowledge and experience.Ability once, rather than identifying individual words.
to understand implicit messages conveyed by a PARTS OF THE TEXT
writer based on the reader’s schema or Introduction, body and conclusion
background knowledge. Take two or more details SUMMARIZING
from the reading and see if you can draw a to express the most important facts or
conclusion. When you are asked an inference ideas about something or someone in a short and
question, go back over the reading and look for clear form
hints within the text. ANNOTATION
a note of explanation or comment added to
DEFINITION OF TERMS a text or diagram.
HIGHLIGHTING
INFERRING to attract attention to or emphasize
deduce or conclude (information) from something important
evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit TAKING NOTES
statements. a method of recording temporary but
QUESTIONING essential information for greater performance.
To ask queries or enlightenment. SUMMARY
Scanning- is reading rapidly in order to find specific a short, clear description that gives the main
facts. facts or ideas about something: At the end of the
MNEMONIC DEVICE news, they often give you a summary of the main
any learning technique that aids information stories.
retention or retrieval (remembering) in the DILATORY
human memory for better understanding. tending or intended to cause delay. dilatory
SKIMMING tactics.
is reading rapidly in order to get a general 2. : tending to be late : tardy.
overview of the material. OVERVIEW
DRAWING CONCLUSION a general review or summary of a subject.
refers to information that is implied or OUTLINE
inferred. This means that the information is a general plan of the material that is to be
never clearly stated. Writers often tell you more presented in a speech or a paper. The outline
than they say directly. shows the order of the various topics, the relative
PARAPHRASING importance of each, and the relationship between
express the meaning of (the writer or the various parts.
speaker or something written or spoken) using SYNOPTIC
different words, especially to achieve greater affording a general view of a whole
clarity."you can either quote or paraphrase literary DENOTATION
texts" the literal or primary meaning of a word, in
CONCEPT/MIND MAPPING contrast to the feelings or ideas that
A concept map connects many ideas or the word suggests.
concepts, while mind maps focus on one CONNOTATION
idea. is an idea or feeling that a word invokes in
DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER addition to its literal or primary meaning.
provide actionable, interoperable, persistent
links to information about the
NON-ACADEMIC TEXT
writings that are informal and dedicated to a
lay audience. Articles, e-mail messages, text
messages, journal writing, and letters are some
examples of nonacademic text.
MIND MAPPING
writing down a central theme and thinking of
new and related ideas that radiate out from
the centre.
CITATION
a way of giving credit when certain material
in your work came from another source. It also
gives your readers the information necessary to
find that source again-- it provides an important
roadmap to your research process.
SYNOPSIS
is a condensed statement or outline (as of
a narrative or treatise) : abstract.
CREDIBILITY
meaning of CREDIBILITY is the quality or
power of inspiring belief.
GLOSSARY
an alphabetical list of terms or words found
in or relating to a specific subject, text, or dialect,
with explanations; a brief dictionary.
SQR
Survey, Question, Read, 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

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