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1. CRITICAL READING

2. INTRODUCTION Critical reading is a process of reading texts with the aim of finding deep meanings of words and understanding the material. It involves analyzing and evaluating what you read in order to understand it fully and asses its meanings It involves asking questions about the author's intentions, the texts structure and purpose of the text and finding meanings of words and phrases Critical readers also considers the context in which a text was written and how might be interpreted by the audience

3. KEY COMPONENTS OF CRITICAL READING Understanding the Context Involves grasping the main ideas of the text Reading carefully and try to comprehend what text is saying Understand what the text is saying before analyzing it Evaluating the Evidence Assess the information where it is coming from Assess the quality and reliability of the evidence provided. Check if the author has used vivid reasons

4. Responding After understanding and analyzing the text, a reader should form responses to questions formulated when reading should form opinions about the topic. This should be informed response based on critical analysis and understanding of the text. Making connections Critical reading involves making connections between the text and the reads knowledge and experience. It also involve how the idea you have read relate to the other texts, current events or personal experience

5. Contextualization This is where the reader interpret the meanings of key words accurately A reader considers cultural and historical factors that may influence the use of contents of the text This helps to understand the deep meanings of the text. Synthesizing information Readers synthesize information they have read and make their own interpretations and conclusion They may be able to form reasonable judgements based on the evidences they present This helps to come up with informed opinions

6. CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES Annotating Annotating is also known as “close reading”. Annotating is any action whereby a reader deliberately interacts with a text to enhance their understanding or recall of the text. Annotating includes underling important part of the text such as the thesis statement, or the topic sentence of a paragraph. Paraphrasing Paraphrasing involves putting a text into your own words. This can help us to understand a difficult or ambiguous passage. Paraphrasing is also one of the ways of incorporating other people’s ideas into your own. Unlike summary a paraphrase contains all the original information.

7. Analyzing Analyzing as a strategy of critical reading involves examining the components of a text in depth to understand its structure, argumentation, and underlying assumptions. When analyzing a text or passage firstly identify the main argument, this involves determining the central thesis or main idea of the text. it can be achieved by looking for the statements that express the authors perspective or position on the topic. Questioning Reading critically using questioning techniques means asking thoughtful questions before, during and after reading to improve understanding and connect with the material. Asking questions helps clarify confusing parts, find important ideas, judge the authors arguments, and link different parts of the text.

8. Summarizing In a summary, important concepts from a text are presented using the readers own words. When summarizing we should avoid direct quotes and accurately reflecting the authors ideas. A well-written summary acknowledges the original author, combines the main points, and presents them impartially.

9. IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF CRITICAL READING Development of Critical thinking Critical thinking is defined as one’s ability to understand, analyze, interpret and evaluate information. Critical reading is a powerful tool necessary for the development mental attributes(characteristics) of a critical thinker. One can only think critically only if he or she has understood the text (critical reading). This type of reading is an essential mental exercise through which information read is analyzed and processed at much deeper level.

10. Better memory ( critical reading improves or enhances memory Actively engaging with text helps in determining and memorizing more details from what you have read. This is possible because evaluating written information using specific criteria that you design creates unique connections in your mind (memory ). Better Understanding of the Text Critical reading also helps in better understanding of text. During regular reading a lot of skimming occurs, this eventually leads us to missing out certain pieces of information. Critical reading is about digging deeper than just absorbing information. It’s about questioning what you read, analyzing the structure and making connections to what you know. Critical reading means no stone is left unturned.

11. Better logical and problem-solving skills Another importance of critical reading is better logical and problem solving skills. Critical reading is not all about understanding the words on the page but it is also about thinking deeply about what the text is really saying and how it relates to what you are learning or working on.

12. CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS IN CRITICAL READING Subjectivity Critical reading can be subjective, as people may sometimes interpret texts differently based on their own ideas, experiences, and perspectives. T his can sometimes lead to disagreements or misinterpretations. For example: Maya and John, read the same story. Maya thinks the main character is brave because they faced a scary situation. However, John thinks the character is foolish because they took unnecessary risks. That's subjectivity in action. Even though they both read the same story, their own ideas and experiences make them see it differently. Possible Solution Seek Multiple Perspectives: Readers should consider different viewpoints and interpretations of the text. Support interpretations: Readers should back up their interpretations with evidence from the text itself.

13. Complexity of Texts •Some texts, especially academic or technical ones, may be dense and difficult to understand. Therefor this can be a challenge for readers trying to analyze and critique the material effectively. For example: Mary reads a book about computers, but it's full of big words and tough explanations. She gets confused and has to read sentences multiple times to understand. When she has to write a report about it, she struggles because the book was so hard to understand. The complexity makes it tough for her to explain what she learned in her own words. Possible solutions to this: •Break it Down: Readers needs to take the text one section at a time. Break down into smaller parts to better understand. •Read Actively: Questions what you read. If something doesn't make sense, pause and try to figure it out before moving on.

14. Lack of Context •Without enough background knowledge or context, readers may struggle to fully comprehend the full degree of a text, leading to incomplete or inaccurate interpretations. For example: A student read a book, and two characters in the book start to arguing, but the readers doesn’t know anything about their relationship or the events leading up to the argument. Without this context, they might struggle to understand why they're upset with each other or what's at stake in the conversation. Possible solutions to this: •Ask Questions: Readers need to ask questions if something doesn't make sense (teachers, librarians, etc. for clarification) •Research: If text seems confusing because you lack background knowledge, take the time to do some research (Internet, Articles, and Books etc.)

15. Over-reliance on Secondary Sources •Relying too heavily on summaries or analyses from secondary sources can hinder readers' ability to form their own independent interpretations and critically engage with the text. • For example: Students given a research topic for a school project. Instead of reading articles and doing their own research, they rely heavily on answers generated by an AI like Chat GPT. While AI can provide helpful information, relying entirely on it without verifying the facts or exploring other sources can limit the students understanding of the topic and hinder their ability to form their own independent interpretations. Possible solutions to this: •Start with the Primary Source: Readers need to read the primary source first before turning to secondary sources for analysis or summaries •Trust Your Own Judgment: Don't be afraid to disagree with secondary sources if you have a well-supported interpretation of your own.

16. APPLICATION IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES Critical reading serves as the cornerstone of academic success across various fields, fostering analytical thinking and intellectual growth. It enables scholars to navigate complex ideas, challenge assumptions, and construct well-informed arguments Application in Humanities In disciplines like literature, philosophy, and history, critical reading is indispensable for interpreting texts, discerning underlying themes, and evaluating historical narratives. Through critical reading, students engage in rigorous textual analysis and develop deep understandings of cultural contexts (Rosenblatt, 1995).

17. Application in social sciences • Critical reading plays a vital role in social sciences such as sociology, psychology, and political science, where scholars examine theories, research findings, and social occurrences. • It empowers individuals to assess the validity of research methods, recognize biases, and critically evaluate social policies ( Macionis & Plummer, 2017). Application in STEM Fields • In science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, critical reading is essential for comprehending scientific literature, evaluating experimental designs, and interpreting data. • Through critical reading, scientists cultivate a deeper understanding of complex concepts and foster a culture of scientific inquiry (Graff & Birkenstein , 2018).

18. Conclusion