1 Three step method for Critical 2 Persuasion and Argumentation
. Thinking 2 . 1) To engage in critical thinking requires a careful observation and interpretation of the ideas, statements, arguments, and content being examined. A critical thinker must be a careful observer. In terms of reading, this statement means that, when you think critically about a reading passage, you must first observe carefully; that is, see what the writer is saying and how it is said. Observation, or comprehension, is essential and always occurs before evaluation. 2) engage your reason in understanding what you have read, you “analyse” or break down and examine the component parts of what you have read. This involves identifying main ideas, supporting details, patterns of organization, and so on 3) To evaluate something just means to judge or assess its value. When you are engaged in critical thinking, you use your reasoning to evaluate or judge the ideas and arguments that you have come to understand from the passage. 2 Directional Words 2 Summaries . 3 Analyze- Identify the essential . elements of an issue/process/text/argument/event and show how they are related. Compare- Identify characteristics or qualities that resemble each other. Emphasise similarities and also mention differences where appropriate.
Contrast- Stress the dissimilarities and
differences between concepts, ideas, qualities, events, problems, or other writers’ findings.
Define- Provide concise, clear, and
authoritative meanings. Give the limits of the definition, but omit detailed explanations. Describe- Recount, characterise, outline, and relate in sequence.
Discuss- Examine, analyse carefully,
and give reasons for and against Draw- concrete example or figure to explain or clarify a problem
Evaluate- Carefully appraise in relation
to some standard, referring to advantages, limitations, and costs and benefits as appropriate; attempt to form a judgement.
Explain- Clarify, interpret, and
elaborate on the material presented Indentify-stablish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is. Interpret-explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions). List-a number of connected items or names written or printed Summarize- Give the main points or facts in condensed form.
3 A Three–point Focus 2 Academic Integrity and Essay
. 4 Documentation 1. What is the author’s purpose? . 2. What is the topic or subject matter? 3. What is the main or controlling idea of the passage?
4 Author’s Purpose 2 Essay Documentation MLA
. He or she may have wanted to 5 explain an event, describe a place, or . persuade you to a point of view. The author may have wanted to make you laugh or cry, make you angry, or provoke you to a certain action. Identifying and understanding the author’s purpose will help you as a reader to receive and evaluate his or her message. 5 Guidelines for Formulating Main 2 Editing Checklist . Idea 6 . 1. Begin by reading the passage to pinpoint the subject matter or topic, as well as the author’s purpose. Use any clues that might be provided, such as headings, titles, the passage’s context (textbook, newspaper, etc.). 2. Form a hypothesis about the main idea. Jot it down. 3. Reread the passage actively. Be alert, and read with pencil in hand, making notes as you go. The active reading methods you will learn in the next unit will help with this process. Remember that the beginning and ending of passages are good places to look for direct statements of the main idea. 4. As you read, delete trivial and redundant sections of sentences, points that merely seem to be asides or editorial comments. 5. Note lists of items, actions, or events, and group these under a superordinate category or term. For example, an essay you will read in the next unit, “The Music of My Mind,” includes a list of ways musicians create rewarding and pleasurable musical effects that are further characterized as ways our brains perceive music. 6. Finally, use this accumulated information to check your original hypothesis and modify it. Always express the main idea as clearly and succinctly as possible. Try to keep it to one sentence. Double-check your statement against the reading to see whether it is too narrow or too broad in scope.
6 The Reading Inventory Method 2 Argument
. 7 Synopsis- what is the general subject of th essay Title- What can I infer from the title of the essay Biography- What do I know about the author’s age, political stance and general beliefs Content- where was the essay first published Rereading- how does the author achieve his or her purpose in the essay ? 7 SQ4R Method 2 Facts and Opinions . 8 . 8 Sentence Core Parts 2 Assumptions/Hidden Assumptions 9 and Inference . 3 Evaluating Premises 0 . 9 Coordination 3 Relevance 1 . 1 Subordination 3 Deductive Arguments 0 2 . . 1 Deciphering Complicated Sentences 3 Inductive Arguments 1 3 . . 1 Transitions 3 Evaluating the relationship Between 2 4 Premises and Conclusions: . . Necessity, sufficiency and relevance 1 Implicit Connectives 3 Evaluating Language 3 5 . . 1 Punctuation 3 Source: Bias/Prejudice 4 6 . . 1 Context Clues 3 Fallacies 5 7 . . 1 Generating Ideas 3 Essay Structure 6 8 . 1 Writing Functions 7 . 1 Mapping and Outlining 8 . 1 Description 9 . 2 Narration 0 . 2 Exposition 1 . S Process Analysis u Examples and Details b Division/Classification t Definition o Comparison/Contrast p Methods of Organization for i Comparison/Contrast c Cause and Effect s