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9 views

HO2

Uploaded by

Cgc Bryan Del Pilar
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© © All Rights Reserved
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DEVELOPMENTAL READING (Finals) Handout No.

Lesson Title: Evaluating Written Texts by Analyzing Claims (Critical Thinking and Reading)

Every day, we encounter many instances that require critical thinking. For example, advertisement
on television promise 99.9% of cavities, germs, or pimples will be removed by certain product. News from
the radio accuses a certain politician of corruption. An article on the internet headlines that a certain
celebrity has died-even though the celebrity is very much alive. You are bombarded with a ton of
information from all sorts of media that, at times, it becomes tempting just to accept everything that comes
your way. It is dangerous to believe everything you are told without questioning any aspect. This is
precisely why critical thinking, especially as applied to reading, is a necessary skill to develop.

Characteristics of a Critical Reader


1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________

Critical Reading
Whenever you read something and you evaluate claims, seek definition, judge information, demand
proof, and question assumptions, you are thinking critically. This type of reading goes beyond passively
understanding a text, because you process the author’s words and make judgement after carefully
considering the reading’s message.

But why should you read critically? Reading critically means you are thinking critically. This
shows that you do not simply accept the message on the page. You bring to your reading your own
experience and perspective, and use these to separate yourself from the text and judge for yourself
what you consider important, logical, or right.

This interaction between the text and the reader is necessary because reading results from
negotiation of meaning between the text and the reader. By reading critically, you find out the author’s
views on something, ask questions, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the author argument, and decide
to agree or disagree with it. Thus, critical reading allows you to enter into a dialogue with the author, and
this deepens your understanding of the issue or topic discussed. Therefore, to arrive at a sufficient
interpretation of the text, you need to become a critical and active reader.

Generally, critical reading refers to a careful, active, reflective and analytic reading.

Identifying and Analyzing Claims


A. Determining Explicit and Implicit Information. Critical reading also means that you are able to
distinguish the information that is clearly stated (explicit) in the text from ideas that are suggested
(implicit).
• Implicit Information – means implied or understood though not plainly or directly
expressed. Therefore, implicit, when it is not directly stated but is either suggested in the
wording or necessary to effectuate the purpose.

• Explicit Information – means to fully and clearly express something, leaving nothing
implied. Something is explicit when it is cleared stated and spelled out and there is no room
for confusion, as in the writing of a contract or statute.
B. Claims. A claim is a central argument or thesis statement of the text. A statement essentially arguable
but used as a primary point to support or prove an argument. A claim persuades, argues, convinces,
proves, or provocatively suggests something to a reader who may or may not initially agree with you.
Characteristics of a Good Claim
• A claim should be argumentative and debatable.
• A claim should be specific and focused.
• A claim should be interesting and engaging
• A claim should be logical.

Critical Reading as Reasoning


A. Identifying Assertions. Assertions are declarative sentences that claim something is true about
something else. It is a sentence that is either true or false.
1. Fact – A statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of
witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research.

2. Convention – It is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms.


Conventions depend on historical precedent, laws, rules, usage, and customs.

3. Opinion – It is based on facts, but is difficult to objectively verify because of the


uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.

4. Preference – It is based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be
objectively proven or logically attacked.

B. Formulating Counterclaims. Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim. They
provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument.

C. Determining Textual Evidence. Evidence is defined as the details given by the author to support
his/her claim. It can include facts and statistics, opinions from experts, and personal anecdotes.

References:
• Bernardo A. (2013). Developmental Reading 1. REX Bookstores.
• Villanueva, A. and Delos Santos, R. (2018). Developmental Reading 1. LoriMar Publishing Inc.
• https://www.coursehero.com/file/130674087/Lesson-2-Evaluating-Written-Texts-by-Analyzing-Claimspptx/
• https://www.academia.edu/30699990/Lesson_2_Evaluating_Written_Texts_by_Analyzing_Claims

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