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Explains Critical Reading As Reasoning

The document discusses critical reading as reasoning and provides guidance on formulating evaluative statements and identifying evidence from texts. It defines reasoning, evaluative statements, and different types of assertions. It also outlines steps to formulate assertions about a text's content and properties, counterclaims, and determining textual evidence to support claims. The overall aim is to help readers analyze arguments and consider different perspectives through identifying evidence and formulating counterpositions.

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Gianne Guias
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800 views

Explains Critical Reading As Reasoning

The document discusses critical reading as reasoning and provides guidance on formulating evaluative statements and identifying evidence from texts. It defines reasoning, evaluative statements, and different types of assertions. It also outlines steps to formulate assertions about a text's content and properties, counterclaims, and determining textual evidence to support claims. The overall aim is to help readers analyze arguments and consider different perspectives through identifying evidence and formulating counterpositions.

Uploaded by

Gianne Guias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPLAINS CRITICAL READING

AS REASONING
OPALIA, LACERNA & FLORES

PREPARED BY MISS MARY KATRINE M. BELINO


“CRITICAL READING AS REASONING”
You have learned that as a critical reader, you
should be able to use textual evidence when
asked by your teacher to support analysis of the
implicit and explicit information presented by a
writer in a text.
Given the same text to other readers, you may
encounter questions that will really require
your answer. In that case you should have the
skills of reasoning out and giving analysis and
evaluative statements.
CRITICAL READING AS
REASONING
WHAT IS REASONING?

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary,


reasoning is an act of giving statements for
justification and explanation. It is the ability of
someone to defend something by giving out
reasons.
FORMULATING EVALUATIVE
STATEMENTS
WHAT IS AN EVALUATIVE STATEMENT?
 It is a way of giving a better explanation to show the
strength and the weaknesses of something through writing.
 It presents a value judgment based on a set of criteria.
 It is used in giving a sound judgement – a judgment that can
be backed up or supported by valid reasons or proofs.
 It is the writer’s way of explaining why a strength is a
strength and a weakness a weakness based on the evidences
gathered.
HOW TO FORMULATE AN EVALUATIVE STATEMENT?

 Evaluative statements about a text are


formulated after having read the text carefully
and critically, grasping the essence of the text
and checking for possible fallacies in the
argument.
 The formulation of the evaluative statements
is done in the same way you do any other
writing except that the statement is about
your judgement of the text’s content and
property.
 You may compose your evaluative statements in two
steps:
1. Formulating Assertions about the Content and the
Properties of a text Read
2. Formulating a meaningful counterclaim in response to
a claim made in the text read
IDENTIFYING ASSERTIONS
Assertions are declarative sentences that claim something is true
about something else. Simply put, it is a sentence that is either
true or false.
Read the following examples:
The sampaguita’s roots are used for medical purposes, such as an aesthetic
and a sedative.
The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family Oleaceace.
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.
Sampaguita’s are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
FOUR COMMON TYPES OF ASSERTION
 Fact – It is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies
of witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research.
 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. Thus, their
truthfulness is verified by how commonly held definitions and beliefs are interpreted.
 Opinion – It is based on facts, but is difficult to objectively verify because of the
uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness. Opinions result from
ambiguities; the more ambiguous a statement, the more difficult it is to verify.
 Preference – It is based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot
be objectively proven or logically attacked.
FORMULATING ASSERTIONS ABOUT THE CONTENT AND
THE PROPERTIES OF A TEXT READ

 Counterclaim is the opposition you make


about the claim of a writer.You must
recognize the value of hedges when you state
your counterclaims.
FORMULATING COUNTERCLAIMS
 To be an effective critical thinker it is not enough just to be able
to identify claims and assertions. The ability to analyze an
argument is essential to understanding the text more deeply,
but understanding the claim is not the only facet of the
argument.You must also learn how to analyze the counterclaims
and evidence provided by the text. Being able to recognize and
formulate counterclaims in reaction to an argument is a
characteristic of a good critical reader.
FORMULATING COUNTERCLAIMS

Being able to recognize and formulate counterclaims in reaction to an


argument is a characteristic of a good critical reader.
Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim. They provide
a contrasting perspective to the main argument.
By being able to locate and provide counterclaims to an argument, you show
a deep competence and familiarity with the writer’s topic. It shows that you
are examining different perspectives and not just passively accepting the
writer’s claim. It shows that you have thoroughly considered the topic, and
are willing to engage different viewpoints from your own, thus remaining
objective. It also helps you clarify what your personal position is on the topic.
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL HELP YOU FORMULATE A
COUNTERCLAIM:

What are the major points on which you and the author can disagree?
What is their strongest argument? What did they say to defend their
position?
What are the merits of their view?
What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their argument?
Are there any hidden assumptions?
Which lines from the text best support the counterclaim you have
formulated?
DETERMINING TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

 Evidence is defined as the details given by the author to support his/her claim. The
evidence provided by the writer substantiates the text. It reveals and builds on the
position of the writer and makes the reading more interesting. Evidence is crucial in
swaying the reader to your side. A jury or judge, for example, relies on evidence presented
by a lawyer before it makes a decision regarding a case.
Evidence can include the following:
Facts and statistics (objectively validated information on your subject);
Opinion from experts (leading authorities on a topic, such as researchers or academics);
and
Personal anecdotes (generalizable, relevant, and objectively considered).
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DETERMINE
EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT:
What questions can you ask about the claims?
Which details in the text answer your questions?
What are the most important details in the paragraph?
What is each one’s relationship to the claim?
How does the given detail reinforce the claim?
What details do you find interesting? Why?
What are some claims that do not seem to have support? What kinds of support could they be provided
with?
What are some details that you find questionable? Why do you think so?
Are some details outdated, inaccurate, exaggerated, or taken out of context?
Are the sources reliable?
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD
EVIDENCE:

Unified;
Relevant to the central point;
Specific and concrete;
Accurate; and
Representative or typical

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