Critical reading and Critique Ch. 2

Critical reading Requires both summary and evaluation There are two main questions associated with critical reading and critique 1. does the author succeed in their purpose? 2. to what extent do you agree with the author?

Question 1: Does the author succeed in their purpose ? Purposes include: to inform, to persuade, or to entertain The purpose is found in the thesis statement Writing to inform Provides definitions Describes a process Recounts a story Gives historical background Provides facts and figures

Writing to inform An informational piece responds to questions such as: What (or who) is _______________? How does ______________ work? What is the controversy or problem about? What happened? How and why did it happen? What were the results? What are the arguments for and against?

Evaluating informative writing Criteria to consider: Accuracy of information Significance of information So what? Fair interpretation of information Distinguish between the author’s presentation of fact and figures and their attempt to evaluate them

Writing to persuade This type of writing begins with an assertion that is arguable. Look at pg. 57 for examples Criteria for assessing the validity of an argument Clearly defined terms Fair use of information Is the information accurate and up to date? Has the author cited representative information? Logical fallacies?

Writing to persuade Emotionally loaded terms Ad hominem Faulty cause and effect Either/or reasoning Hasty generalization False analogy Begging the question Non sequitur Oversimplification

Question 2: To what extent do you agree with the author? Identity points of agreement and disagreement They say, I say Summarize the author’s position State your own position in relation to this Explore the reasons for agreement and disagreement: evaluate assumptions

Critique A formalized, critical reading of a piece of writing that determines the following What an author says How well the points are made What assumptions underlie he argument What issues are overlooked What implications can be drawn from such an analysis

critique A critique should include the following A fair and accurate summary of the passage Information and ideas from other sources (your reading or your personal experience and observations) IF you think these are pertinent A statement of your agreement or disagreement with the author, backed by specific examples and clear logic A clear statement of your own assumptions