Lesson 2

• Coherence


  The quality of being logical, consistent and able to be understood
• Cohesion


  The act of forming a whole unit. It is effectively a subset of coherence
• Coherence


  • Can be achieved through devices such as cohesive ties, formatting techniques, inference, logical ordering of information, semantic patterning and consistency
• Cohesion


  • Includes collocations, lexical repetition, linking adverbials, substitution, ellipsis, conjunctions, synonymy/antonymy, hypernyms /hyponyms and referencing. These devices create physical links between the words in a discourse
• Coherence


  Relates to the organization and connection of ideas and whether they can be understood by the reader, and as such is concerned with the macro level features of a text, such as topic sentences, thesis statement, the summary in the concluding paragraph, and other 'bigger' features including headings
• Cohesion


  Relates to the micro level of the text, i.e. the words and sentences and how they join together
• You can have cohesion without coherence but you cannot have coherence without cohesion
• Readers must work hard to create meaning from every text. All complex texts contain surface meaning and subtext. Often, readers have to think of the bigger picture in making sense of how a subject can influence broader culture
• Critical readers interact with the texts that they read by questioning them, responding to them, and expanding them, usually in writing
• Critical readers actively search for related texts to place these works in conversation with each other to advance important ideas. Consider how subjects from your other courses and experiences connect to the sources you are reading
• Claims


  It is the approach to the topic to see the main argument
• Claims of Fact


  This makes an assertion about something that can be proved or disproved with factual evidence
• Claims of Value


  Argues that something is good or bad, or that one thing is better than another thing. It is based on judgment and evaluation on a philosophical aesthetic, or moral standpoint
• Claims of Value


  • It's better to apply good nutritional choices at home than teach them at school, because good nutrition then becomes ingrained in the child's experience.
• Claims of Policy


  An argument which asserts the implementation of certain policy. This is driven by the need to present solution to problems that have arisen; sometimes it is given as a response to claim of fact
• Text


  The actual content of a work
• Context


  The historical, social, biographical, or artistic background of the work itself
• Intertextuality


  A powerful writing tool in which text gain layers of meaning through citation and referencing of other texts. The author borrows a prior text from another author and integrates it in his writing
• Intertext


  A work whose meaning is shaped by referencing or calling to other texts. The reader gets to understand the context of the piece through other texts which parallel it in terms of plot, characters, premise and the like
• Hypertext


  A non-linear way to present information and is usually accomplished using "links". Such links help the readers navigate further information about the topic being discussed and may also lead to other links that can direct the readers to various options
• Hypermedia


  Incorporates other forms of multimedia such as pictures, sounds and videos that could stimulate more senses. Because hypertext and hypermedia take away full control of the author over the direction that a reader must take, an environment of independent and critical thinking is then created. In a way, the readers become co-authors of the material by creating connections and meanings for themselves
• Critical Reading


  • Goes beyond extracting information from a text; rather it involves recognizing the writer's purpose, identifying the tone of the persuasive elements, and recognizing biases. It also provides high reflective skills which allow you to stand back and look at the text from different perspectives. It lends you the ability to see and evaluate how a text presents arguments
• Becoming a critical reader

  1. Prepare to become part of the writer's audience

  2. Prepare to read with an open mind

  3. Consider the title

  4. Read slowly

  5. Use the dictionary and other appropriate reference works

  6. Take down notes

  7. Keep a reading journal
• Reasoning


  An act of giving statements for justification and explanation. It is the ability of someone to defend something by giving out reasons
• Critical Thinking


  • Reasoning
  • Self-awareness
  • Open-mindedness