Critical Reading Quiz: Assertions, Counterclaims, Evidence in Reasoning

Critical reading involves engaging in analytic activity by asking questions about the author's claim.

Reasoning is defined as the act of giving statements for justification and interpretation.

Critical readers evaluate, analyze, and interpret the hidden meaning of the whole text.

Daily exercise is not considered beneficial according to research.

Scientists do not argue that addressing climate change is necessary.

Politicians do not believe the healthcare system needs improvement.

When reading critically, it is not important to question the different arguments used by the author.

Critical clarity involves unscrambling sentences to reveal underlying thoughts or claims.

Critical reading skills are not used to interpret messages.

Scoring points for correct unscrambling and analysis is not part of playing the game of critical reading.

Critical Reading

Critical reading is not meant to criticize but to assess the validity of textual evidence.

Steps in Critical Reading

5/6 steps used in critical reading as reasoning:
- Identifying assertions
- Formulating counterclaim
- Determining evidence

Identifying Assertions

Identify assertions by common type: fact, convention, opinion, and preference.

Formulating Counterclaim

Counterclaims are made to rebut a previous claim.
Example: father's response to asking for an android cellphone.

Determining Evidence

Evidence is the details given by the authors to support their claims.
Example: evidence from other federal countries supporting federal systems.

Critical Reading as Reasoning

Critical reading involves evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting the assertion and hidden meaning of the whole text.
Reasoning is the ability to defend something by giving out reasons.

Using Hedges

Hedges are words or phrases used to give a courteous tone.
Examples of hedges: modals (may, could, would, should, might), frequency adverbs (usually, generally, commonly), and probability adverbs (probably, possibly, presumably).

Critical Clarity: Unscramble the Message

A game to improve critical reading skills:
- Unscramble sentences to reveal underlying thoughts or claims.
- Use critical reading skills to interpret the messages.
- Discuss reasoning and share identified thoughts.
- Score points for correct unscrambling and analysis.

Learn about the 5 steps used in critical reading as reasoning by Maxine Rafaella C. Rodriguez and Marella Therese A. Tiongson, including identifying assertions, formulating counterclaims, and determining evidence. Develop your skills in evaluating textual evidence.