1. Critical Reading: Reading to Learn (and Write!)
Dr. Emily Dotson

2. One of these things is not like the other.

3. When you read you must be
Open to new ideas (Wear it before you swear it)
Willing to look things up
Able to understand the big argument
Aware of both what they say and HOW they say it (rhetoric)
Be critical- especially of the things you agree with!

4. Thesis and Main Ideas
The THESIS is usually a single sentence in the first paragraph that identifies the main point of the writing.
The Main Ideas are the author’s reasons or rationale for a belief/thesis expressed in their own words usually at the start of paragraphs. Each main idea is developed with a variety of recent and reliable research or evidence that proves it true.

5. Rhetoric (How a Writer Proves Something)
Ethos (Credibility)
Pathos ( Emotion)
Logos ( Evidence and Logic)

6. Ethos:
FDA and model approved
Pathos:
Pretty actress with pretty lashes
Logos: “prescription only” suggest medical testing and validity

7. Read and Re-read Preview and plan Go slow
Find thesis and main ideas (bold)
ANNOTATE and Give a Margin Summary
Annotate arrows/circles/underline/notes
Interrogate (Ethos/Pathos/Logos)
What is missing/wrong?
So what? Big Picture: Why does this matter?
Be careful to quote “quotes” and note page numbers (32) in any notes

8. Online Texts, Video and Podcasts
Go slower!
Don’t multi-task
Take Notes
Ok to Print!

9. Reading Arguments
Evidence must be Sufficient, Representative, Relevant
Argument about Trump’s economic policy based on a Facebook post?
Argument about global warming based on multiple peer reviewed studies by national experts?
Argument about links between a vaccine and an illness based on one study that has been refuted by another study?
Argument about national pen preferences based on a study of this class pen preference?
Argument about gun control based on an increased percentage of violent video games?

10. Fact Conclusion/THESIS
How do we argue?
Deductive
Inductive
THESIS/Conclusion
Fact
Fact
Fact Conclusion/THESIS

11. Excess Emotion + Little Logic = Fallacy
Hasty generalization: Snow was bad last year. It will be worse this year.
Stereotype: Women with the “speak to the manager” haircut are unpleasant.
False Analogy: If we can Fly to Mars then we can cure the cold.
Either/or: If we can’t stop drug abuse why not make it all legal.
Non Sequitur: I get lost of sleep so I am going to a great cook.
Strawman: Anyone opposed to gun control wants to give guns to kids.
Appeal to Values is not necessarily a fallacy, but if the reader doesn’t share your values then it isn’t a very effective reason. College writing is always intended for a non- denominational, reasonably well educated, gender irrelevant person.

12. When evaluating sources ask
Does it pass the sniff test?
Who is the author and what is their background?
Is there a variety of recent, reliable, relevant sources?
Do they acknowledge opposing views?
What percentage of ethos/pathos/logos do they offer?
Does the tone and language sound fair and unbiased?
He scorned any assistance and abruptly demanded new policies.

13. Be Most Critical When You Agree
The hardest writing to critique is that which we find believable or “right.” This is when you have to ask tough questions! Is it well supported and documentable? Can it be repeated or reproduced with the same results or impact? Is it true for every race/ religion/gender/nationality/sexual orientation? Why might a reasonable person disagree?

14. Reading Checklist Credible Author? Thesis and Main Ideas? Logic Gaps?
Fallacies?
Support?
Tone and Language?
Opposing Views?
Reasonable?

15. Read with an eye on the Assignment

16. How to Write a Summary
Idea by Idea NOT paragraph by Paragraph (Book Report)
Stay Neutral unless told otherwise
Only the Big Picture
Title, Author and Thesis need to be clearly stated up front
Main Ideas and Support and depth
Paraphrase ( your words) and minimal if any quotes
In the essay “Bad Cake,” Emily Dotson argues that cupcakes are poor substitutes for a real slice of cake. She argues, cake is “lame” because it provides too much icing and not enough cake and because its smaller size causes it to dry out faster than a full cake (12).

17. How to write a Synthesis
Start with a Thesis and Main Ideas in your own words
Blend key points from research that connect to support the main ideas
Freire says education has to be about more than just depositing knowledge in passive vessels
hooks says education is always about human connection
Freire and hooks argue that education requires active engagement with knowledge and with others

18. How to write other assignments
What is ...
The Reader wants FACTS
Provide a rhetorical analysis of …
The Reader wants to know how the other author proved their point (the point is less important than how they proved it)
How is , Why is , Discuss, Analyze, Argue, Consider, Evaluate, Think About …
The Reader wants you to take a stand about what you think the readings are all about (big picture) and summarize and synthesize ideas from the original sources to prove your point. The Thesis and Main Ideas will be your own, but you will use the texts to back you up.

19. Thank you.