Reading a
Text Critically
Fundamentals of
Reading
Academic Texts
There are many strategies and ways on how to develop
reading skills
1. SQ3R Method
Survey
Question
Read
Recall
Review
1. SQ3R Method
• Survey - getting the general gist of the
material
• Question - sets of questions to guide you in
reading
• Read - careful consideration of the meaning
• Recall- think and assimilate what you have
read
• Review- do not miss important details
There are many strategies and ways on how to develop
reading skills
2. KWL Method
What I What I Want to What I have Learned
Know Learn
Reflect on your own
reading habits and
experiences.
How can the SQ3R method
influence your
understanding of texts ?
Discuss the advantages and
limitations of the KWL
method as a learning tool.
Are there situations where
it may not be as effective?
In reading academic text, the
reader needs to be critical in
order to grasp deeper
understanding of what
he/she reads.
Applying Critical
Reading Skills in
Academic Text
Critical reading is a strategy
where the reader applies a
process like asking questions
and applying theories in order to
enhance clarity and
comprehension on the text read.
To become an effective reader, you
must approach the text with a critical
eye. This is means that reading the
text must not only be done through
skimming but through analyzing and
evaluating what you read.
Here are some practical steps on how to become a
critical thinker:
Previewing Contextuali Questionin Reflecting
zing g
Outlining Evaluating Comparing
and and
Summarizi Contrasting
Previewi
ngwhat the text is
It is learning
about before really reading
it.
The reader must know the
overview of the text before
Contextuali
zing
Involves placing a text
historical, biographical and
in its
cultural
context.
You need to contextualize, to
recognize the differences between
your contemporary values and
attitudes and those represented in the
Questioning to
understand and
remember
This involves asking
questions about the
content.
Reflecting on
challenges to your
beliefs and values
The reader should examine
his/her personal responses.
Mark the things or information
that made you feel challenged.
Outlining and
summarizing
Involves identifying the main
ideas and restating them in your
own words.
These are helpful strategies for
understanding the content and
structure of a reading selection.
Evaluating an
argument
This refers to testing the logic of a text
as well as its credibility and emotional
impact.
You should not accept anything on
face value but to recognize every
assertion as an argument that must be
carefully evaluated.
Evaluating an
argument
An argument has two essential parts: a claim and
support.
The claim asserts a conclusion -- an idea, an
opinion, a judgment, or a point of view.
The support includes reasons and evidence (that
give readers the basis for accepting the conclusion.
Comparing and
Contrasting related
readings
Involves exploring likenesses and
differences between texts to
understand them better.
Knowing the similarities and
differences of a reading material can
help the reader become more critical.
Analyzing and interacting with the text
is very important in order to identify
whether the reader understands the text.
There are many techniques and ways
of summarizing, analyzing, and
interacting with the text.
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