RWS

• Critical reading is a more active way of reading. It is a deeper and more complex engagement with a text. It is a process of analyzing, interpreting, and, sometimes, evaluating.
• When we read critically, we use our critical thinking skills to question both the text and our own reading of it.
• Reasoning


  An act of giving statements for justification and explanation. It is the ability of someone to defend something by giving out reasons justifying a stand based on prior and existing knowledge and experiences needed to arrive at a decision.
• Critical reading involves presenting a reasoned argument that evaluates and analyses what you have read.
• It is the process of expressing ideas and opinions as well as justifying a stand based on prior and existing knowledge and experiences needed to arrive at a decision.
• Techniques in Developing Reasoning

  • Dare to read every day. Citing relevant ideas of experts and authorities in reading materials definitely helps strengthen one's stance on an issue.
  • Learn to focus on the main ideas (explicit or implied) and supporting details mentioned in the argument.
  • Examine the pros and cons of your argument/resolution. This will help you weave the flow of your thoughts.
  • Organize your thoughts. Arrange ideas either in chronological order or by emphasis to specific or vice versa.
  • Note points for improvement. After having justified an issue, recheck your stand based on your power to convince the reader/audience. Moreover, make practice a habit, so that you become conscious of becoming better every time you reason out.
• Textual Evidence


  When you analyze a text, you want your readers to know what the author actually says rather than merely your interpretation of the author's ideas. This means that you quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize the author's words to support your points.
• Implicit


  Something that is suggested or implied but not ever clearly said
• Explicit


  Communicating directly in a clear and exact way
• Characteristics of a Critical Reader


  • Does not believe everything he reads
  • Questions everything which doesn't make sense to him
  • Questions some things even though they do make sense to him
  • Rereads when he thinks he may have missed something
  • Considers the type of material he is reading before deciding how much weight to give to it
  • Admits that the effect on him of what the author says may be caused more by the author's style of writing than by the facts presented
  • Analyzes arguments
  • Discounts arguments based on faulty reasoning