Reading Critically The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of Reading

What is Critical Reading? (1) Critical Reading = Critical Thinking Questioning a work beyond the obvious and looking beneath the surface Seeks to understand a writer’s intention Starts even before reading- (preliminary areas) title, author, time/place

Thinking Critically (2) Critical Reading = Critical Thinking Involves answering the ‘how’ and ‘why’of an author’s meaning Involves asking questions and forming judgment/opinions Involves analysis, inference, synthesis, and evaluation

Thinking Critically (3) Analysis- Separate into parts Inference- Drawing conclusions on the parts (based on information, experience, biases, etc.) Synthesis- Linking the separate elements Evaluation- Determine the overall value or meaning

Reading Critically (3) Critical Reading involves: 1. Analysis 2. Inference 3. Synthesis 4. Evaluation ---stop---

Think of critical reading as viewing a picture or visual

What visual elements are used within in this image Visual Analysis What visual elements are used within in this image in order to create meaning? ---Next Powerpoint---

Critical Reading Importance- ‘Meaning’ (4) Help to extract ‘meaning’ from a work Meaning comes from: 1. Writer’s Purpose 2. Thesis 3. Asking questions

Writer’s Purpose (5) An author’s reason for writing What they are trying to achieve All of their ‘writing choices’ are based off of purpose

Thesis (6) The main point or idea a writer wants to communicate Experienced writers may place the thesis anywhere Thesis placement depends upon purpose

Asking Questions (7) What is the writer’s purpose? How does the purpose govern choices? Is the thesis evident? How is it supported?

Critical Reading and Writing Strategy (8) In terms of writing strategy, writers need to consider: 1. Audience 2. Mode of Writing 3. Structure 4. Language

Audience (9) Who is the audience? Why is the author writing to that audience?

Modes of Writing (10) Writing methods used to arrange ideas and information. Narration, Description, Compare/Contrast, Persuasion, Example, Cause/Effect, Definition, Classification, etc.

Structure (11) Appropriate structure is crucial and will vary according to an author’s purpose Structure entails unity and coherence Effective structure will hold a reader’s attention

Language (12) The way an essay is created Syntax- Sentence structure Diction- Word choice (words/word patterns) Syntax- Sentence structure Deals mainly with length and variety

Critical Reading (wrap Up) When reading, you will read to analyze: 1) Writer’s Meaning Purpose, Thesis, Questions 2) Writer’s Strategy Audience, Mode of Writing, Structure 3) Writer’s Language Diction and Syntax