CRITICAL READING, WRITING, AND THINKING

AGENDA Improve our vocabulary and spelling, as

Introduction to Critical Reading well as our linguistic and communicative
competence on both written and spoken
Reading is a multifaceted process involving forms;
one’s sense to recognize words and
understand contexts. It encompasses Build a good self-image; and function
integration of fluency, vocabulary, and necessarily at home, school, workplace,
motivation to decode meaning. community, thus, in today’s society.
According to Day and Bamford (1998), These are questions we can answer through
reading is meaning construction from a merely reading a text.
printed or written message. Meaning What is the title?
construction involves the reader connecting Who is the author?
information from the written message with Who are the people involved in the text?
previous knowledge to arrive at meaning What are the names of the characters?
and understanding.
These questions will require readers to go
As defined by Cline et al. (2006), reading is beyond reading.
decoding and understanding written texts. What are the assumptions made in the text?
Decoding involves translation of the Are they important? Are they possible? Are
symbols of writing system (including they reasonable?
Braille) into the spoken words that they What are the evidences stated that support
represent. Meanwhile, understanding is the claim? Are they appropriate to the
determined by factors such as the reading context? Are they true today?
purpose, the context, the nature of the text, Are the beliefs or values of the author
and the readers’ strategies and knowledge. explicit?
Were there inconsistent statements?
Importance of Reading Comprehension What could be the possible counterclaims
for the text?
Reading comprehension is the ability to Can you see any justification (direct or
process text, understand its meaning, and to implied) for the research decisions? Do the
integrate with what the reader already justifications seem reasonable?
knows. How does the development of information
affect the purpose of the text?
Discover new things because reading
comprehension allows us to educate
ourselves in any area of life that we are Reading isn’t just fundamental. It is critical.
interested in and to independently do our
own research and thinking; Critical reading is an analytic activity. The
Access and comprehend different reading reader rereads a text to identify patterns of
materials such as textbooks, general elements: information, values, assumptions,
references, research, journals, history books, and language usage, throughout the
literature, etc.; discussion. These elements are tied together
Develop our mind and enhance our
imagination and creativity;
in an interpretation, an assertion of an
underlying meaning of the text as a whole.

Critical reading is an analytic activity.

Reading critically means reflecting on:

Content of the text: the reader should be able Description, Interpretation, and Evaluation
to interpret and explain the main points of The difference between reading and critical
the text on his or her own words reading:
Descriptions in the text: the reader should
be able to create his or her own examples Critical Reading as a Daily Routine
based from the described key points and be
able to compare them with other texts of the Be consistently conscious of the nature and
same topic content of the text, and everything that the
Interpretation of the text: the reader should author implies behind the text.
be able to objectively analyze the text in Making reading a habit widens our horizons
parts and in whole and allows us to always look at the bigger
picture from a vantage point.
The Difference Between READING and Absorb as much as you can, integrate the
CRITICAL READING valuable ones to your own principles and
values, and adopt the attitude necessary to
keep yourself inspired in reading.

The Goal of Reading

For academic
purposes To be
entertained
To understand
To be informed

Adopting a Healthy Attitude in Reading

Emotionally detaching yourself from the

text. Advisably, one has to maintain
objectivity when reading as this allows a
person to analyze the text using logic and
not feelings. In critical reading, you are
encouraged to learn meaning and identify
value rather than absorb everything at face
value.

In order to keep a positive attitude when

reading, one has to equip him or herself with
tools that make learning more convenient
and less tiresome.
 AGENDA Where was it published?
The Nature of Text Who was the publisher?

Knowing more about the nature of the Academic and Non-Academic Texts
text prepares you better in understanding
the topic, following references, raising Learning how to separate academic texts
arguments and flowing with the discussion. from non-academic texts is an imperative for
students as this knowledge is needed in
What questions should be asked? researching, reviewing and passing
assessments.
What is the title? Does it reflect the topic?
What details, style, and arguments do you ACADEMIC TEXT
expect? These are texts intended for publication,
What do you currently know about the such as journal articles, reports, books, and
topic? Are there gaps and grey areas with chapters in edited collections.
your current knowledge of the topic? An important feature of academic texts is
Is there any need for background reading that they are organized in a specific way;
prior to reading the current text in order to they have a clear structure.
make understanding faster and more fluid?
These information are often reflected on the
cover, preface and table of content of the Academic texts are:
book. For stories, the synopsis at the back formal and unbiased
can give you the information that you need. clear and precise
focused and well-
Who are the stakeholders? structured well-sourced
correct and consistent
Who is in concern in the
Content
issue? Language and Style
Who controls the result of the issue? Structure
Who are the key decision makers or key Mechanics
contributors in creating and resolving the
issue? NON-ACADEMIC TEXT
Who is affected by the issue? They are published quickly and can be
Equipping yourself with prior knowledge written by anyone.
before reading the text can help you identify Authorship is not limited to credentials,
the biases of the authors, and possibly the writing ability or substance, as fame, with or
unintentional errors. without credibility, sometimes suffices as
qualification for writing non-academic
What do you know about the author? articles.
What is the background of the author?
What are his or her goals in writing the text?

It is possible that the text is no longer

consistent with the author’s prior works or
statements, so you need to consider some
information:
When was the text published?
 Have your reading habit planned.
AGENDA If planning your reading habit in a time-
Steps in Critical Reading bound manner seems impractical, you may
always set a quantity-based reading
activity instead.
Developing the Habit
Do not limit your reading habit.
In order to make critical reading a habit, one Read as much as you can, as often as you
needs to have the genuine desire to learn and want.
discover new things.
Be a morning
Prioritize reading. reader. Try speed
Make a realistic schedule for your reading. reading.
You can also create a timetable to ensure
your progress. Critical Reading Process

Find informative books of good value. Consolidate your knowledge.

Do not just look at titles or topics, but on Do mind mapping activities.
the author’s credibility, the reputation of Evaluate the text.
the publishing company, the curation and Highlighting and making annotations.
endorsements involved, and to a certain Practice pre-reading activities.
extent, the marketability of the book in its Analyze the critical reading components.
niche.
Step 1: Analyze the critical reading
Find informative books of good value. components
To experience the best results, you may Identify the components then ponder on
want to start reading books that genuinely them one by one:
pique your curiosity or are aligned with your Underline instructional words, e.g. discuss,
already existing hobbies, skills, interests, or explain, identify, justify
field of specialization. Mark apparent keywords and key phrases
Be mindful of the organizational patterns
Find informative books of good value. used (Compare and contrast, cause and
It is also recommended for readers to set effect, list, spatial, chronological, etc.)
a ― reading schedule every day, which may Evaluate the validity and requirement of the
last from 30 minutes to several hours. questions
Brainstorm the question:
But, you have to keep in mind, that you are Write down all related
reading because you have a goal and not just information Link the details that
because you have a schedule to fill. you know Determine knowledge
gaps
Have your reading habit planned.
Designating your own reading spot in the Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities
house and setting up a mini-library where Thinking and reading before thoroughly
you can place all of your books also help in reading a text.
developing the habit.
Plan.
Establish purpose.
Scan and skim the text. 3. Reviewing and revising your notes.
Highlight main ideas and key words. 4. Organize your notes.

Step 3: Highlight and annotate.

Highlight key ideas and also write brief
annotations regarding the text.
Making annotations helps readers focus on
the significant ideas presented. It also helps
them remember information.

Step 4: Evaluate the text.

Is the argument clearly asserted and
supported by evidence?
Is the research valid? (Sufficient,
appropriate, adequate, objective, valid
methodology?) Has the argument been
developed logically? Does it present
solutions based on evidence? Are
recommendations appropriate to the
purpose?
In what ways does the article/report advance
our knowledge of a particular issue?
What assumptions underlie the research?
Are they reasonable?

Step 5: Mind mapping.

Step 6: Consolidating knowledge.
Summarize the text in preparation for
writing your assignment
Make another mind map drawing on your
notes and your rough mind map.
Make headings and note the supporting
evidence in dot points.
Include your evaluation.
Be creative: use color and arrows; make it
easy to visualize.
Highlight the ideas you may want to use for
your assignment.
Identify areas for further research.

EFFECTIVE STEPS FOR NOTE-TAKING

Highlighting and Emphasizing

2. Making written notes.
 AGENDA differences between the contemporary ideas
Reading Strategies and those written in the texts.

1. Previewing Every era is different, to fully decode the

text, readers must take note the significance
Previewing between the time and place when and where
is a pre-reading strategy to improve the the article is written and the time and place
reader’s ability to focus. when the article is read.
It requires readers to skim the text to get the
main idea before reading it in detail. 3. Questioning

Skimming is a reading technique that is used Questioning

to get an overall view, gist or impression of It is an engaging strategy that helps the
the content. readers clarify and comprehend what he is
reading.

Better concentration leads to better The following questions denote critical

understanding. reading:
How does the text work? How is it argued?
Remember T.H.I.E.V.E.S. What are the choices made? The patterns
Title. Read the title. It gives the reader a gist that result?
what the article is about. What kinds of reasoning and evidences are
Headings. The reader must ask himself: used?
How is the text organized? Is it divided into What are the underlying assumptions?
parts? Are there subtitles? What does the text mean?
Introduction. In this section, the thesis
statement is commonly found which
summarizes the whole articles 4. Reflecting
Every first sentence. Readers just take note
what the paragraph is about and how are Reflecting
they connected to each other. They also It is a purposeful activity in which a person
make predictions. analyzes his/her own experiences, or own
Visuals and Vocabulary. What clues do the skills, practice, and responses in order to
pictures give about the topic? learn more and gain improvement.
End of chapter questions Reflection deepens learning and it enables
Summary. Recall the facts that have been someone to make sense of the acquired
skimmed. knowledge.

2. Contextualizing 5. Outlining and

Summarizing
Contextualizing
It literally means studying in context. Outlining and Summarizing
In critical reading, one needs to place the It is a reading strategy that organizes ideas
texts in their historical, biographical, and and the main points of the text.
cultural contexts to be aware of the
An outline is the skeleton of the text Find opportunities to apply the learned
pinpointing the main ideas of the text. words in actual conversations.
A summary is a brief account of the
important points of something. It uses the
words of the one who did the summarizing; 2. Mind your reading comprehension skills.
however, it maintains the ideas presented in BE CONCSCIOUS OF YOUR RECALLS.
the original text. Try to recall and explain the key points on
your own words after each section.
6. Evaluating the Avoid reading at a slower pace just to
compensate for your comprehension.
argument Evaluating the Use a line guide.

argument
When readers evaluate the content, they 3. Improve your reading speed.
focus on information and they consider its Keep in mind that the reading pace depends
connection to their own viewpoint. on the type of material you are reading and
Readers make evidence-based judgments. your goal.
Proactively focus on 2-4 words at a time
7. Comparing and instead of fixating on a per word reading
Contrasting basis.
Read with your eyes and mind.
Comparing and Contrasting Practice makes perfect.
It is a reading strategy that will involve
exploring similarities and differences
between related texts. 3. Improve your reading speed.
Comparing and contrasting texts may help Force yourself to read at a faster rate for
readers increase understanding of the texts short periods of time.
and also, evaluate the information presented; Go at a speed that is uncomfortable but
tell whether whose work is more accurate, you are still comprehending the material.
believable and consistent. Avoid rereading as much as possible.
You should never read at a rate that is
Reading Strategies for Critical Thinking slower than your average rate.

1. Improve your vocabulary words. 4. Apply the SQ3R Method

Read a wide range of text. This is an active reading method that,
Have a dictionary at all times. although will seem time consuming at the
Never assume the meaning of a word that beginning, can still enhance your reading
you are unfamiliar with. comprehension and learning efficiency.
Keep a vocabulary journal where you write Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review
down all words that you learn on a daily or
weekly basis. 5. Do Skimming
6. Do Scanning
1. Improve your vocabulary words. Skimming will help you locate the
information quickly. It will also increase the
amount of usable material you obtain for
Learn at least three words a day and try your research.
using them in sentences.
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.