CRWT PRELIMS REVIEWER habit does not only require us to read every day.

It helps us to:
CRITICAL READING - It is the manner of
engaging yourself in what you read. Some - Widen our horizons and allow us to
questions to be asked may include: always look at the bigger picture from a
vantage point.
- “What does the author mean?”
- Absorb as much as we can, and to
- “What message is being conveyed in the
integrate the valuable ones to our own
text?”
principles and values.
- “What is the argument raised?”
- adopts the attitude necessary to keep
The process of critical reading involves raising a ourselves inspired in reading.
reasoned, logical, and balanced argument that
HOW READING DEVELOPS
analyzes and evaluates the text. A critical reader
can achieve: From familiarizing in a linguistic point of view,
the reading process becomes more
- a higher level of comprehension
complicated as our academic and intellectual
- open-mindedness
levels go up. We learn to add new words to our
- continuation to learn and embrace
daily vocabulary. We start to challenge what
knowledge and wisdom outside the own
textbook call “facts” as we adopt a skeptic or
standards and beliefs.
curious attitude. We start asking and start
To scrutinize the elements of a text (ex. style, answering questions. Finally, we learn to
composition, language), a critical reader must integrate reading and learning in the truest
reflect on: sense.
- Content of the text: the reader should be The wide gamut (range) of information available
able to explain the main points of the text to us makes thinking more complex as we
on his or her own words. have to consider more things than usual.
- Descriptions in the text: the reader
This process of transitioning from mere data
should be able to create his or her own
gathering to a deeper level of consciousness that
examples based from the described key
involves analysis and evaluation is crucial for
points, and be able to compare them with
our own personal development and
other texts of the same topic.
professional advancement. The more we
- Interpretation of the text: the reader
develop our reading capacity, the more proficient
should be able to objectively analyze the
we become in accepting and rejecting what we
text in parts and in whole.
read.
CRITICAL READING AS A DAILY ROUTINE

Reading takes a lot of time, especially in higher

THE GOALS OF READING
education where evaluation and analysis are
staple parts of the process. Reading for The Challenges:
academic purposes should be an active process
- The goal of reading should be to learn,
which leads to development. Making reading a
not to be just updated with what
famous people are talking about. This is
 a challenge in social media and amidst Another way to maintain a healthy attitude in
the proliferation of fake news and social reading is by emotionally detaching yourself from
media influencers. the text. Subjective reading clouds judgment.
- Students usually observe two main In fact, many authors try to influence readers by
academic goals: using their own emotions against them.
1. to learn and develop, and Advisably, one has to maintain objectivity
2. to pass the subject. when reading as this allows a person to
analyze the text using logic and not feelings.
Sadly, many students only aim to pass
and not to learn and develop. This DIFFERENTIATING FACTS FROM
mindset and attitude may only be INTERPRETATION
helpful to a certain degree when still
For critical readers, a text only provides the
studying, not when venturing in the
author’s own interpretation of facts. This
real world as a professional.
interpretation may be considered valid or invalid.
Furthermore, this mindset challenges
Hence, critical readers recognize not only
the issues of own competitiveness
what the text says, but also how the text
and efficiency.
discusses the topic.
- Many read just to memorize, and not to
THE NATURE OF THE TEXT - Knowing more
comprehend, analyze, and interpret the
about the nature of the text prepares you better
text. There is memorization but with very
in understanding the topic, following references,
minimal learning. The knowledge is
raising arguments and flowing with the
forgotten when the memorized words and
discussion.
sentences are also forgotten. This is the
reason why memorization is considered What questions should you raise?
as the lowest form of intelligence.
- What is the title? Does it reflect the topic?
ADAPTING A HEALTHY ATTITUDE IN READING - What details, style, and arguments do you
expect?
Critical reading is less challenging as there is no
- What do you currently know about the
need to focus on the text verbatim. You are
topic? Are there gaps and grey areas in
encouraged to learn meaning and identify value
your current knowledge of the topic?
rather than absorb everything at face value.
- Is there any need for background reading
Being able to follow the flow of the story and
before reading the current text to make
predict what’s bound to happen by drawing
understanding faster and more fluid?
conclusions and making inferences is given
priority over being able to familiarize yourself This information is often reflected on the cover,
with the specific details. To keep a positive preface, and table of contents of the book. For
attitude when reading, one has to equip him or stories, the synopsis at the back can give you the
herself with tools that make learning more information that you need.
convenient and less tiresome.
Who are the stakeholders?
ADAPTING A HEALTHY ATTITUDE IN READING
- Who is concerned in the issue?
- Who controls the result of the issue?
 - Who are the key decision makers or key reviewing and passing assessments. But how do
contributors in creating and resolving the they differ from each other exactly?
issue?
Academic articles - are written by experts in a
- Who is affected by the issue?
particular field. They are not self-published.
Quipping yourself with prior knowledge before Rather, the manuscript goes through a series of
reading the text can help you identify the biases editing, typesetting, and quality checking
of the authors, and possibly the unintentional performed by other experts in a peer-review
errors. setting. The language used here is formal,
sometimes containing jargon and other technical
What do you know about the author?
stylistic choices.
- What is the background of the author?
- The authors are well represented in
- What are his or her goals in writing the
academic articles as their names,
text?
credentials, and affiliations build the
The text may be no longer consistent with the text’s credibility and reputation. The
author’s prior works or statements, so you need references are also compiled to support
to consider some information: the veracity of all information included in
the text.
- When was the text published?
- Lastly, academic articles are
- Where was it published?
considered primary sources as they
- Who was the publisher?
have been scientifically and
This information can help the reader understand systematically researched and written.
the reason behind the inconsistency. The text They also undergo a strict peer-review
may no longer be updated or maybe the updated process, which sometimes takes years to
one. finish.
The place of publication may also prompt the Non-academic articles - are written for the
author to slightly alter the content to fit in the mass public. They are published quickly and can
culture of the target readers in a particular be written by anyone. Authorship is not limited to
area. credentials, writing ability or substance, as fame,
with or without credibility, sometimes suffices as
Sometimes, the publisher also influences the
qualification for writing non-academic articles.
creative direction of the book, so the author
There are also times when creativity is favored
might write things that he or she does not fully
over credibility.
agree with, all of the sake of marketability. This
happens not only in the publishing industry but - Because these texts are non-scientific
also in the music industry where artistry is and non-systematic, references are not
sacrificed for commercial appeal. required and consistency is a choice, not
a requirement. Informality may be
ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC TEXTS
preferred over formality since these
Learning how to separate academic texts from
texts normally target the masses and
non-academic texts is an imperative for students
not the experts and professionals. A
as this knowledge is needed in researching,
reference list is optional as well.
 - Non-academic articles are considered o Link the details that you know.
as secondary sources and should never o Determine knowledge gaps.
be prioritized over academic articles as
Step 2: Practice pre-reading activities - Have
references. Most of your references
the text scanned for the following details:
should also come from academic
articles, not non-academic articles to - Who is the author/s?
uphold credibility. o What are his or her credentials?
o What is his or her reputation?
STEPS IN CRITICAL READING
o Is the writer known for bias?
Developing the Habit - To make critical reading - What is the nature of the text?
a habit, one needs to have the genuine desire to o Is it current?
learn and discover new things. There should be a o Is it authoritative?
compelling reason to stick with it as a habit, and o Is it purely subjective, purely
that is to develop oneself and achieve objective, or a combination of
competitiveness in the future. There are different both?
practical strategies to develop critical reading as
Highlight main ideas and keywords:
a habit. Anyone can practice them, and with time
and diligence, the transformation of the habit ▪ Read the title, synopsis for
that you desire is bound to happen. stories and abstract for
research, section headings
1. Prioritize reading
and subheadings, and
2. Find informative books of good value
graphical representations.
3. Have your reading habit planned
▪ Read the introduction, the
4. Do not limit your reading habit
first few paragraphs, and
5. Be a morning reader
the conclusion at the end.
6. Try speed reading
Step 3: List down questions - Connect the
THE CRITICAL READING PROCESS
content of the text to your research questions:
Follow these steps to practice critical reading:
- Is this text relevant to my research
Step 1: Analyze the critical reading question?
components - Identify the components then - If so, list questions about the content of
ponder on them one by one: the article or report.

- Underline instructional words, e.g. Step 4: Take down notes - Follow these tips
discuss, explain, identify, justify. when jotting down reading notes:
- Mark apparent keywords and key phrases
- Be concise and write on your own words.
- Be mindful of the organizational patterns
- Use bullet points.
used (Compare and contrast, cause and
- Pay attention to citations and references.
effect, list, spatial, chronological, etc.)
- Take note of the arguments raised.
- Evaluate the validity and requirement of
- Summarize the major parts: the
the questions.
introduction, the body, and the
- Brainstorm the question:
conclusion.
o Write down all related information.
 - Record important quoted materials and Step 6: Mind map from memory - Make a rough
the page numbers that you may have to mind map from memory: test what you can recall
read again later from your reading of the text.
- Write down keywords of any relevant
- Make headings of the main ideas and note
information to your questions These notes
supporting evidence in dot points.
will become your summary of the text,
- Include your evaluation: the strengths and
which you can use as reference when
weaknesses.
writing your report or project later.
- Identify gaps in your memory.
Step 5: Evaluate the text - Identify and evaluate
Step 7: Consolidate your knowledge -
the strengths and weaknesses of the text using
Summarize the text in preparation for writing
these steps:
your assignment.
Ask questions on the value of the research
- Make another mind map drawing on your
evaluation questions.
notes and your rough mind map.
- Has the article/report fulfilled its - Make headings and note the supporting
purpose? evidence in dot points.
- Is the argument asserted and supported - Include your evaluation.
by evidence? - Be creative: use color and arrows; make it
- Is the research valid? (Sufficient, easy to visualize.
appropriate, adequate, objective, valid - Highlight the ideas you may want to use
methodology?) for your assignment.
- Has the argument been developed - Identify areas for further research.
logically?
There is no magic formula to taking notes when
- Does it present solutions based on
reading. You simply have to find out what works
evidence?
best for you. Your note-taking skills will develop
- Are recommendations appropriate to the
with practice and as you realize the benefits. This
purpose?
section is designed to help you get started.
- In what ways does the article/report
advance our knowledge of a particular 1. Highlighting and Emphasizing -
issue? Highlighting keywords or phrases in text
- What assumptions underlie the research? will help you:
Are they reasonable? a. Focus your attention on what you
are reading – and make it easy to
Ask questions on the quality of the
see key points when re-reading.
information.
b. Think more carefully about the key
Fill in the evaluation section. concepts and ideas in the text, the
bits that are worth highlighting.
Using your answers to the above questions in
c. See immediately whether you have
steps 1 and 2:
already read pages or sections of
o What are the strengths of the text? text. Make a glossary on a separate
o What are the weaknesses? sheet (or document) of notes, so
you can easily refer and update it
 as necessary. Write descriptions of coding, using different colors for
the terms in your own words to themes or issues; and
further encourage learning. c. Note where your opinions
2. Making Written Notes - Although changed, and why.
highlighting is a quick way of emphasizing 4. Organizing Your Notes - Notes are of no
key points, it is no substitute for taking use to you if you cannot find them when
proper notes. There are two main you need to, and spending a lot of time
elements that you need to include in your sifting through piles of papers is a waste
notes: of time. It is therefore important to ensure
a. The content of your reading, that your notes are well-organized, and
usually through summaries or you can find what you want when you
paraphrasing, plus a few well- need it.
chosen quotes (with page
READING STRATEGIES FOR CRITICAL
numbers); and
THINKING
b. Your reaction to the content, which
may include an emotional reaction Critical thinking requires critical reading to
and also questions that you feel it develop because a huge part of you is influenced
raises. by what you read and hear. Up to 80% of
It can be helpful to separate these two knowledge is learned through the eyes, and
physically to ensure that you include both reading plays the biggest role.
(see box). Your notes may also take
1. Improve your vocabulary - Having a
various forms and style, for example:
wider vocabulary makes comprehension
• Linear, or moving from one section to
easier.
the next on the page in a logical way,
o Read a wide range of texts to give
using headings and sub-headings.
yourself a varied vocabulary
• Diagrammatic, using boxes and background.
flowcharts to help you move around o Always have a dictionary. An
the page; and English-Filipino dictionary is
• Patterns, such as mind maps, which useful, but remember that there
allow a large amount of information to are English words that cannot be
be included in a single page but rely directly translated directly into
on you to remember the underlying Filipino.
information. o Never assume the meaning of a
3. Reviewing and Revising Your Notes - In word that you are unfamiliar
particular, you may want to: with. If you hesitate, then look it
a. Use headings or different sheets up.
(or documents) to separate o Keep a vocabulary journal where
different themes and ideas. you write down all words that
b. Use brightly colored pens or flags you learn on a daily or weekly
to highlight important points in basis. This can be a notebook or a
your notes. You may find it useful set of index cards. This is really
to have a simple system of color- helpful, especially when
 memorizing jargons often used in your goal. If you are reading for
your industry or field of study. detail, you must read at a rate for
o Learn at least three words a day comprehension. If you are
and try using them in a sentence. reviewing, reading for general main
Small actions can take you a long ideas then skimming and using a
way. faster rate is appropriate.
o Find opportunities to apply the o Proactively focus on 2-4 words at
learned words in actual a time instead of fixating on a per
conversations. The more frequent word reading basis. Increasing
you apply the learned words, the my/ reading rate will/ help me
more familiar they can get. maximize/ my study time. This is
2. Mind your reading comprehension basically like trying to read phrase
skills - Monitoring your reading for phrase instead of word for
comprehension means being conscious word.
of your recalls. o Read with your eyes and mind.
o Try to recall and explain the key Pronouncing the words while you
points in your own words after read slows down your reading
each section. The more you can speed because it forces your focus
recall, the better your on each word rather than on
comprehension will be. groups of words.
o Avoid reading at a slower pace o Practice makes perfect. The more
just to compensate for your you read, the more proficient you
comprehension level. Research become. Practice will increase
tells us that reading at a slower speed, vocabulary,
speed often interferes with comprehension, and knowledge
comprehension because it forces base.
us to resort to word for word o Force yourself to read at a faster
reading. Furthermore, let your rate for short periods.
comprehension level naturally Challenging yourself from time to
catch up with your reading speed, time will get you used to reading
and not the other way around. faster.
o Use a line guide to keep focused o Go at a speed that is
on the text and avoid having your uncomfortable but you are still
eyes wander around. It can be a comprehending the material.
ruler, an index card or your finger. Reading at an uncomfortable
3. Improve Your Reading Speed - You can speed can be challenging and
learn to increase your speed by practicing stressful at the beginning, but as
the tips discussed here once you with any new task, doing this daily
understand your present reading rate. is bound to improve you.
o Keep in mind that the reading o Avoid rereading as much as
pace depends on the type of possible. Pay attention to your
material you are reading and
 concentration so that rereading summaries, etc. This will help you
becomes unnecessary. select the main ideas as you read.
o You should never read at a rate This can also be a great help when
that is slower than your average trying to read in advance for future
rate. Research shows a correlation discussions.
between reading rate and o Read the introduction and/or
comprehension. Slower speed first paragraph first. This will tell
does not guarantee a better you the purpose of the chapter and
understanding of the material. will give you an idea of its
4. Apply The SQ3R Method—Survey, importance in relation to your
Question, Read, Recite and Review - course.
This is an active reading method that, o Read the last paragraph. This will
although will seem time consuming at the summarize the text and can make
beginning, can still enhance your reading understanding of the entire text
comprehension and learning efficiency. easier and faster.
Survey: o Be mindful of the different
o Scan over the table of contents terminologies used. Bring out
of a new book to have a clear index cards and create a
understanding of its content and terminology index as you read. The
plan your reading in advance. Is author might have used these
the professor following the format words to familiarize you with future
of the book or is he/she changing topics, so pay attention.
how the order of the chapters will
Question:
be read? How much time is he/she
allotting per chapter? o Turn the subheadings into
o Survey the entire chapter before questions before proceeding to
you start reading so that you read so that your mind is actively
become familiar with what will be looking for answers rather than
presented and how much time you passively reading along. This habit
need also helps you develop critical
o Look at the title and all subtitles thinking skills in the process.
to know what the chapter is o Create questions from
about and how it is broken up information printed in the
into parts. Label major headings margins. You may also highlight
and subheadings to show the keywords or key phrases for future
relationship between topics. You references.
may also want to create your own o Create questions for each graph
outline based on your syllabus for presented. You might need to go
easier time management and back to these data once you
planning of tasks. review. Also remember that
o Look at the end of the chapter teachers usually refer to graphs
aids, such as questions,
 when creating tests or when ▪ Review the comments you
discussing. made in the text as you
o Try writing out the questions so read.
that you can periodically look at ▪ Recite the main points of
the questions and stop to see if each section of the chapter.
you can recall the information. You ▪ Review your index card file.
can also use these questions o Develop study aids like
when reviewing in the future. mnemonics for material you
must memorize. You can use
Read:
association, acrostics, acronyms
o Start reading only when you can or whatever you find comfortable
concentrate and commit to it. It with and easy to remember.
is advised to read while sitting o Create an outline from your
rather than lying down as the latter texts. This will act as a study guide
makes you very relaxed, for the exam.
sometimes sleepy or languid. o Recite the information daily to
o You must locate the main idea of ensure automatic recall and true
each paragraph. Watching out for learning. Recite the information in
keywords, such as proper nouns, your own words for better
numbers, italicized foreign terms, comprehension.
jargons, etc., might help you with o Check and recheck the
this. information where you hesitate
▪ Identify the topic. or are not able to recall details
▪ Find the main idea. 5. Do Skimming
▪ Look for the supporting - What is skimming?
details . o Speedy reading for general
▪ Underline the main idea. meaning.
o Let your eyes skip over sentences
Review: The more you review and recite, the
or phrases that contain details.
better the recall. It actually makes your study
o Allows you to concentrate on
time more efficient when this process becomes
identifying the central points.
a consistent study habit.
o Pre-views a selection of text before
o Review starts with organization. detailed reading.
Make sure that all notes and o Refreshes understanding of a text
handouts are inserted in date following detailed reading.
order. o Speed reading at basic level.
o Review your notes and questions o Works best with non-fiction or
created for the daily lesson or factual texts
chapter. o Speed ranges from 700-1000
▪ Review the highlighted words per minute.
areas of your text.
This speed reading process takes place while o Inference means concluding
reading and allows you to look for details in based on knowledge and
addition to the main ideas. experience.
o Ability to understand implicit
Skimming will help you locate the information
messages conveyed by a writer
quickly. It will also increase the amount of
based on the reader’s schema or
usable material you obtain for your research.
background knowledge.
6. Do Scanning

What is scanning?

o Passing the vision speedily over a

selection of text to find specific
words or phrases.
o Skipping over large portions of
texts to find what you are looking
form.
o Speed ranges above 1000 words
per minute.
o Covers more area than skimming
within the same amount of time.
o Does not require reading of entire
texts.
o May be limited to specific
information and may not help the
reader understand the general
idea.

Skimming

- Meant to identify main points without

identifying the details
- Covers 700-1000 wpm

Scanning

- Meant to identify specific details without

understanding the main points
- Covers more than 1000 wpm
7. Make Inferences - Making inferences is a
comprehension strategy used by
proficient readers to “read between the
lines,” make connections, and draw
conclusions about the text’s meaning and
purpose.