READING AND WRITING 4TH

• Critical reading


  A technique which involves analyzing the claims presented in the text. It requires processing by making judgments on the author's message
• Reading critically


  Thinking critically while you read. Not readily accepting the message but deciding which to accept or reject. Bringing your own experience and perspectives to your reading
• Explicit information


  Information directly stated in the text
• Implicit information


  Ideas which you need to infer based on clues in the text and your reasoning and prior knowledge
• Claim


  The central argument or thesis statement of the writer. What the author is trying to prove by providing explanation, details, and evidence
• Types of claims


  • Claim of fact
  • Claim of value
  • Claim of policy
• Claim of fact


  A statement that something exists, which can be proved or disproved with evidence
• Claim of fact


  • Computer games improve the logical thinking skills of the gamers
  • Solid-state drives (SSDs) are faster and more reliable than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) due to their lack of moving ports
  • Playing online games enriches the vocabulary of the gamers
• Claim of value


  A proposition judged as good or bad, beneficial or detrimental, justified or unjustified, worthwhile or worthless
• Claim of value


  • The sanctity of human life begins at conception, making abortion morally unacceptable and ethically wrong
  • The effect of watching rated SPG programs on the minor viewers is bad
  • Euthanasia goes against the sanctity of life. Thus, it is immoral and unethical
• Claim of policy


  A claim that asserts something has to be done as a solution to a particular problem, often starting with words like should, ought to, must
• Claim of policy


  • Every Filipino should have an equal access to healthcare
  • A comprehensive educational reform should be implemented to improve the quality of education in the Philippines
  • A more transparent and accountable automated voting system must be implemented to ensure the integrity and credibility of Philippine elections
• Argument


  A set of one or more claims (statements) put forth as evidence and reasons for accepting a conclusion, to persuade or convince an audience
• Argument


  • Climate change is a significant global issue because scientific studies consistently show a rise in global temperatures, melting ice caps, and changing weather patterns
• Types of support for arguments

  • Reason
  • Evidence
  • Emotional appeal
• Reason


  The use of logical thinking, analysis, and sound judgment to support a claim
• Evidence


  Factual information, data, examples, or expert opinions that substantiate or validate a claim
• Evidence


  • Studies conducted by reputable institutions consistently show a correlation between regular exercise and improved cardiovascular health, providing strong evidence for the importance of physical activity
• Emotional appeal


  Using language, anecdotes, or narratives to evoke emotions in the audience and create a connection with the argument
• Emotional appeal


  • Consider the heartwarming stories of individuals whose lives were positively transformed by this charitable program. Your support can make a real difference and bring hope to those in need
• Intertext


  The interconnectedness and interdependence of texts, where one text makes reference to or is shaped by other texts
• Hypertext


  A technology that allows non-linear navigation of information through the use of hyperlinks
• Examples of hypertext


  • Wikipedia articles
  • Blog posts with embedded links
  • Interactive ebooks
  • Online news articles
  • HTML web pages
  • Interactive tutorials
  • Online shopping websites
  • Emails with hyperlinks
  • Social media posts
  • Interactive maps with information points
• Critical reading as reasoning

  Using reasoning in reading to examine the validity and strength of the material, by asking questions about the arguments and evidence
• Counterclaim


  A statement in contrast to the claim presented, to provide a good evaluation of the author's claim
• Textual evidence


  Specific details or information from a text that is used to support a particular claim or interpretation
• How to write textual evidence

  1. Reveal your idea

  2. Cite what led you to that idea

  3. Expound on the evidence
• Thesis


  The idea or argument you want to support with textual evidence
• Writing a book review or article critique

  1. Begin by clearly stating the idea or argument you want to support with textual evidence

  2. Cite what led you to that idea

  3. Expound on the evidence
• A book review or article critique is a specialized form of academic writing in which a reviewer evaluates the contribution to knowledge of scholarly works such as academic books and journal articles
• Book review


  A critical assessment, analysis, or evaluation of a work
• Book report


  Focuses on describing the plot, characters, or idea of a certain work
• Differences between book review and book report

  • Purpose
  • Objectivity
  • Summary vs Analysis
  • Consciousness
  • Audience
• Structure of a book review or article critique

  1. Introduction

  2. Body

  3. Conclusion
• Literature review


  A type of academic writing that provides an overview of a specific topic
• A literature review critically analyzes the relationship among different scholarly works and the current work
• Functions of a literature review

  • Justifies a research question, method, or theoretical and conceptual framework
  • Establishes the relevance of the topic
  • Provides necessary information to better understand a specific topic or study
  • Shows reviewers familiarity and mastery of the topic
  • Establishes the niche of the study
  • Resolves conflict among contradictory studies
• Structure of a literature review


  1. Introduction

  2. Body

  3. Conclusion
• Guidelines in writing a literature review

  • Review the documentation style
  • Choose and focus on a topic
  • Determine the kind and number of sources
  • Survey the available online databases
  • Use relevant keywords
  • Always include landmark studies
  • Always evaluate the sources for coverage and currency
• Evaluation and analysis of articles in a literature review


  1. State clearly your thesis or main argument

  2. If no studies have been conducted on one aspect, justify it

  3. Direct the readers to other related literature reviews

  4. Never treat a literature review as a series of annotated bibliography

  5. Use headings and subheadings

  6. Use effective transitions

  7. Organize the body thematically, methodologically, or chronologically

  8. Use direct quotations sparingly

  9. Clarify important definitions