CRITICAL-READING-AS-REASONING.pdf for seniors

The definition and types of Critical thinking

1. What does this word mean?
CRITICAL
In reading, what does this mean?

2. CRITICAL READING
as
REASONING

3. OBJECTIVES
1.Explain what critical reading as reasoning is
2. Discuss the aspects of critical reading
3. Demonstrate critical reading through well-
thought responses on given questions regarding a
text

4. Comment on this?
"Love is a selfless emotion that always
leads to personal sacrifice, and anyone
who truly loves another person must be
willing to put their needs aside for the sake
of the other”

5. Critical reading is the process of actively
analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting a text to
understand its deeper meaning, assumptions, and
implications. Rather than just accepting the
information at face value, critical reading involves
questioning and reflecting on the content,
considering different perspectives, and forming
your own judgment about the text.

6. Critical Reading as Reasoning is the process of
actively engaging with a text, evaluating its
arguments, questioning its assumptions, and
analyzing its content in a logical and thoughtful
way. Rather than simply absorbing information,
critical reading involves a deeper investigation into
the material to determine its credibility, strengths,
weaknesses, and implications

7. "Love is a selfless emotion that always
leads to personal sacrifice, and anyone
who truly loves another person must be
willing to put their needs aside for the
sake of the other”

8. A critical reader may question:
"Love is a selfless emotion that always leads to personal sacrifice,
and anyone who truly loves another person must be willing to put
their needs aside for the sake of the other”
Does love always require personal sacrifice? Is self-
care not equally important in a loving relationship?
Does this statement reflect a universal view of love, or
could cultural or individual differences influence how love
is understood and experienced?

9. When reading critically, you're not just
understanding what the text says but also
reasoning about why the author is making those
points, how effectively they support their claims,
and what assumptions are being made. This type
of reasoning is essential for forming well-
supported opinions and contributing to discussions
or debates on the topic.

11. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
1.Identifying the Author's Purpose
oAsk yourself: Why is the author writing this? Are they trying to
persuade, inform, or entertain? Understanding the author’s purpose
helps to frame the text and decide whether you should accept or
question the information presented.

12. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
2. Recognizing Assumptions
Every argument or text is built on underlying assumptions. These
assumptions may not always be stated explicitly. Critical reading
involves identifying these assumptions and considering whether they
are valid or if the author is making any unfair generalizations or biases.
ASSUMPTIONS
beliefs or ideas
that are taken for
granted without
being explicitly
stated or proven.
EXAMPLE:
"If I study hard for the exam, I will
definitely get a good grade.“
The assumption here is that hard
work alone guarantees success,
which may not be true in all cases
Identifying assumptions
allows us to challenge
and assess whether they
are valid, helping us
build stronger arguments
or conclusions.

13. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
3.Evaluating Evidence
Good reasoning requires solid evidence. When reading
critically, assess whether the evidence provided by the
author is credible, relevant, and sufficient to support the
claims being made. Are the sources reliable? Is the
evidence up-to-date?
Evidence refers to the information, facts,
examples, statistics, quotes, or other data that
support an argument, claim,

14. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
4.Assessing the Logic of the Argument
oAnalyze how the author constructs their argument. Is it logical?
Are there any flaws in reasoning, such as fallacies (e.g., hasty
generalizations, false dilemmas, or appeals to emotion)? Critical
reading requires you to think about whether the argument is sound
and coherent.
Example: (Appeal to emotion
You should not punish him for cheating on the exam because he’s had a
really tough life—his parents divorced, he’s been struggling with anxiety, and
he’s barely passing his classes. It wouldn’t be fair to add more stress.”

15. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
5.Considering Multiple Perspectives
Critical reading involves recognizing that the author’s viewpoint is
one of many. Consider alternative perspectives or
counterarguments and how they might affect the strength of the
author’s claims. Being open to different viewpoints enables more
nuanced reasoning.

16. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
6.Recognizing Biases
Authors may have biases based on their background, interests, or
affiliations. Recognizing these biases is crucial because they can
influence how information is presented. Are certain facts omitted or
exaggerated? How does the author’s position affect their
argument?

17. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
7.Interpreting Context
Understanding the historical, cultural, and situational context of a
text is key to critical reading. Consider the context in which the
author is writing. Are there specific events or conditions that
influence the arguments or viewpoints presented?

18. ASPECTS OF CRITICAL READING
8.Synthesis
Critical reading is not just about understanding the individual
arguments but also synthesizing information across texts. How do
different pieces of evidence relate to each other? How do the
ideas in this text connect to your existing knowledge or to other
texts you have read?

19. Critical Reading Exercise
PAIR WORK
•Read the paragraph and answer the questions

20. “Social media platforms are harmful to mental health because they promote unrealistic
body images and foster addiction to constant validation through likes and comments
1. What is the main claim or argument being made in the statement?
2.What types of evidence might support this claim? Are there any specific
studies, statistics, or examples that could validate the statement?
3.What assumptions are underlying this statement? For example, does it assume
that social media always leads to negative outcomes for all users?
4. What might a person who disagrees with this statement argue? Are there
benefits of social media that might be overlooked in the claim?
5. After analyzing the statement, do you agree or disagree with the argument?
Why or why not?

21. How can you tell that
you are reading
critically?