Critical Reading (Reading and Writing) .pptx

Reading and Writing

1. Critical Reading as Reasoning

2. Critical reading is engaging in analytic activity which involves the reader by asking questions about the text and the author’s claim. Critical readers are doing the process of evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting the assertion of the hidden meaning of the entire text. On the other hand, reasoning as defined in Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an act of giving statements for justification and explanation. It is the ability of someone to defend something by giving out reasons.

3. Therefore, when reading critically, it is necessary to question the different arguments used by the author, as any problem can weaken the authenticity of the conclusion. Remember that critical reading is not meant to criticize but to assess the validity of textual evidence.

4. Steps Used in Critical Reading as Reasoning 1. Identifying assertions/claims Identify by a common type of assertion such as fact, convention, opinion, and preference 2. Formulating a counterclaim Counterclaims are made to rebut a previous claim 3. Determining evidence Evidence is the details given by the authors to support his/her claims

5. High school students who sleep less than six hours a night perform worse on tests than those who get at least eight hours. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that students who slept fewer than six hours scored 20% lower on cognitive tests than their well-rested peers. Lack of sleep affects memory retention, concentration, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are crucial for academic success. Additionally, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to increased stress and difficulty in managing schoolwork, further contributing to lower performance in exams. High school students who sleep less than six hours a night perform worse on tests than those who get at least eight hours.

6. Spending too much time on social media is harmful to students' mental health. Psychologists warn that excessive social media use can lead to anxiety and depression, as teens compare themselves to unrealistic online portrayals and experience cyberbullying. A study from the National Institute of Mental Health found that teenagers who spend more than three hours daily on social media are more likely to report feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction. While social media can be a source of entertainment and connection, its negative impact on self-esteem and emotional well-being cannot be ignored. Spending too much time on social media is harmful to students' mental health.

7. Other people say that the tobacco industry helps our economy; however, cigarettes still bring a lot of problems. First, the smoke from cigarettes is harmful to the health of both smokers and non-smokers. It is known to be the leading cause of lung cancer which may result to death. Second, it contributes to air pollution. Despite it boosting our economy, I strongly believe that the mentioned negative effects are more valid for people to stop consuming cigarettes.

8. High school students who sleep less than six hours a night perform worse on tests than those who get at least eight hours. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that students who slept fewer than six hours scored 20% lower on cognitive tests than their well-rested peers. Lack of sleep affects memory retention, concentration, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are crucial for academic success. However, some argue that many students perform well despite getting less sleep, relying on caffeine and study techniques to compensate. While this may be true for a few individuals, research consistently shows that chronic sleep deprivation negatively impacts learning, making adequate rest essential for all students.

9. Spending too much time on social media is bad for students’ mental health. Experts say that constantly looking at perfect pictures online can make teens feel bad about themselves. It can also lead to anxiety, stress, and even cyberbullying. A study found that teens who use social media for more than three hours a day often feel more lonely and unhappy. However, some argue that social media is helpful because it allows teens to connect with friends and express themselves. While this is true, too much time online can still cause problems, especially if students don’t set limits.

10. Statistical Evidence The strongest type of evidence in formal writing is statistical evidence. This ranges from true, hard data presented as a percentage or number, to survey-type data. For example, statistical evidence could be: Four out of five experts claim that... 85% of women in the United States... Seven members were present during.

11. Testimonial Evidence The use of celebrities as credibility evidence can be considered testimonial in nature. Many people look up to celebrities as role models in their lives. Good or bad, when a person chooses a life path that takes them into public light, there will be many others out there who want to emulate the celebrity. These celebrity endorsements provide the second-strongest type of evidence found in formal arguments.

12. Example: Heart Evangelista, a well-known actress and fashion buff, recommends that Olay lotion is good on our skin.

13. Testimonial evidence can also be collected from experts and authorities in a given field. Doctors, dentists, lawyers often provide expert testimonials. Their authority is not often questions. They are expected to "know their stuff." According to Dr. Amanda Richards, a psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health, excessive social media use among teenagers has been linked to increased anxiety and depression.

14. Anecdotal Evidence When storytelling is involved as evidence, anecdotal evidence is being used. Due to its less objective nature, anecdotal evidence is not extremely strong. But when coupled with statistical or testimonial evidence, anecdotal evidence can be highly effective in determining credibility or proof.

15. Example: After living for decades in Quezon, I can honestly say that the people there are kind and hospitable.

16. Example You are asking your father for an Android phone— that is your claim. Then, your father answers you, “I am sorry, but you couldn’t.”— this is his counterclaim. He might say that you already have a cellphone. Now, you are going to formulate a reason for your counterclaim. You may say that the reason you are asking for an Android phone is because you need to use it for your online class and would be very helpful in the new normal classroom setup.