Using Critical Reading for
Thinking and Reasoning

Activity: Guess Me!

Activity: Match it out!
•General instruction: Match column A to
column B in order to get the correct
usage/meaning of the following words

Column A
1.Reasoning
2.Thinking
3.Dissecting
4.Content
5.Significance
Column B
a) This is the intention, the entire meaning and the
value of the issue/article to the reader's life.
b) It is the act of constructing and deconstructing
ideas
c) This is the substance of the text.
d) It is the process of expressing ideas and
opinions as well as justifying a stand.
e) To study or examine (something) closely and
carefully

Preview of comprehension question
 What is critical reading?
 Who are the authors that expresses their ideas about critical reading?
 There are three steps or modes of analysis which are reflected in three
types of reading and discussion, what are those?
 According to Kurland 2010, what are the 3 steps or modes of analysis
which are reflected in 3 types of reading and discussion?
 What are the evaluation guide for critical reading?

•Deborah Knott 2012 of New College
Writing Centre expressed in writing that
as a reader, you are not a passive
participant, but an active constructor of
meaning.

• Critical reading is dissecting a reading material. It is the art of
asking oneself about the text, "Why did it happen? How did it
happen? What should have been done instead, or be done
marialuisaaliotta wordpress.com thereafter? etc.“
• Once this process is practiced, any reader gets used to read
between and beyond the lines.
• This scenario of critical reading trains a reader to believe in his/ her
capacity to think beyond and later cultivate this value as it ultimately
engenders the critical thinking skills of a reader.

Some authorities share their piece of knowledge about the significance of reading and
ways how to develop thinking and reasoning.
• Baraceros (2005) expressed that critical reading is necessary for
the students to know how to examine critically what they see, feel
and read to be able to make good judgement or decisions for the
welfare of their countrymen.
• Anthony Shadid, journalist, 2012, articulated that to non-critical
readers, many texts offer the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. To the critical reader, any single text provides but one
portrayal of the facts, one individual's "take" on the subject.

• Likewise, Kurland 2010. noted that to non -critical
readers, texts provide facts. Readers gain knowledge
by memorizing the statements within a text. Critical
readers thus recognize not only what a text says, but
also how that text portrays the subject matter.
• According to him, there are three steps or modes of
analysis which are reflected in three types of reading
and discussion:

Three steps or modes of analysis which are reflected
in three types of reading and discussion:
 What a text says- restatement (talks about the same topic
as the original text)
 What a text does- description (discusses aspects of
discussion itself)
 What a text means- interpretation (analyzes the text and
asserts a meaning for the text as a whole)

Some Techniques To
• A. Thinking
• It is the act of constructing and deconstructing ideas in both spoken and
written form based on a given context.
• 1. Check and analyze the title. Read further how it is developed and/or
argued in the succeeding statement.
• 2. Identify the aim of the text. Make initial arguments about its context.
• 3. Skim the reading material and give focus on the entire body. Identify
what might have caused certain issues/situations and offer feasible
solutions.

• 4. Make some relevant associations of the text to your life.
In the course of making connections, the reader may either
be sympathetic or apathetic depending on the experiences
he/she may have had which are relevant to the text.
• 5. Evaluate the reading material. Ascertain if the entire text
calls for a debate and eventually come up with a sound
decision/judgement.

• B. Reasoning
• It is the process of expressing ideas and opinions as well as justifying a
stand based on decision prior and existing knowledge and experiences
needed to arrive at a decision
• 1. Dare to read every day. Citing relevant ideas of experts and authorities
in reading materials definitely help strengthen one's stance of an issue.
• 2. Learn to focus to the main ideas (explicit or implied) and supporting
details mentioned in the argument.
• 3. Examine the pros and cons of your argument / resolution. This will help
you weave the flow of your thoughts presented.

• 4. Organize your thoughts. Arrange ideas either in
chronological order or by emphasis (general to specific or vice
versa.) Once organized, oral or written expression becomes
meaningful.
• 5. Note points for improvement. After having justified an issue,
recheck your stand based on your power to convince the
reader/audience. Moreover, practice, practice so that you
become conscious of becoming better every time you reason
out.

Evaluation Guide for Critical Reading
Elements for Evaluation Explanation Guide
Content This is the substance of the text.
Content Are the input/ideas present comprehensive- covering the breadth and depth of the
text?
Is it comprehensible?
As a whole, is it appealing to the readers?
Objectivity This is the stand of the author about an issue/article. Are facts presented?
Does it present both sides of the argument?
Does the author possess ethical and moral consideration in his/her article?
Significance This is the intention, the entire meaning and the value of the issue/article to the reader's life.
Can the reader readily connect the issues to his/her life?
Is it open for interaction?
How is it valuable to the reader?

Group activity1: Think-Pair-share Activity.
Read the article for 5-10 minutes, share
ideas/arguments about it with your partner.

Individual activity 2: Explain it
In 1 whole sheet of paper, answer this question.
As a 21st century learner, why is critical reading as a
way of thinking ad reasoning significant especially in
this era of technology?

Recap
 What is critical reading?
 According to him, there are three steps or modes of analysis which
are reflected in three types of reading and discussion.
 There are three steps or modes of analysis which are reflected in
three types of reading and discussion, what are those?
 What are the 3 evaluation Guide for Critical Reading?

Evaluation
Direction: Identify what is being ask.
1.What is critical reading?
2.Who are the authors that expresses their ideas about critical
reading?
3.There are three steps or modes of analysis which are reflected
in three types of reading and discussion, what are those?
4.According to Kurland 2010, what are the 3 steps or modes of
analysis which are reflected in 3 types of reading and
discussion?
5.What are the evaluation guide for critical reading?