Critical Reading Introductory PowerPoint

1. RDG 101 – Fall 2013
Dr. Cheryl Novins

2.  To non-critical readers, texts provide FACTS.
Readers gain knowledge by memorizing the
statements within a text.
 To the critical reader, any single text provides but
one portrayal of the facts, one individual’s “take”
on the subject matter. Critical readers thus
recognize not only WHAT a text says, but also
HOW the author conveys the message.

3. 1. To recognize an author’s purpose
2. To understand tone and persuasive
elements
3. To recognize bias

4. 1. Recognizing purpose involves inferring a basis
for choices of content and language.
2. Recognizing tone and persuasive elements
involve classifying the nature of the author’s
language choices
3. Recognizing bias involves classifying the nature
of the patterns of choice of content and
language.

5. Consider the following statement:
“The Senator admitted owning the gun that killed his
wife.”
What can be inferred by this statement?
 There is a Senator.
 He owns a gun.
 He is married.
 His wife is dead.
 That gun caused her death.
 The Senator admitted owning that gun.

6. Now, what can’t be inferred?
 We do not necessarily know if the Senator’s
admission is true!
 We do not really know whether the Senator is in
any way responsible for his wife’s death, nor do
we know that she died of a gunshot wound!
 We do not even know if it was murder – it might
have been suicide or an accicent!

7. Critical reading includes analyzing an author’s word
choice.
 Would it have mattered if the author used the
word STATED or the word SAID rather than the
word ADMITTED?
 What connotation/denotation does the word
ADMITTED have in the English language?
 Does the word ADMITTED make the reader
wonder if the Senator lied about something
previously?

8. This is just one sentence!
Imagine how analytical critical readers
must be when they read longer text!

9.  You will be given the opportunity to be a critical
reader.
 This skill will enable you to get more meaning out
of everything you read as well as help you
navigate different types of texts.
 As your professor, I will work hard to keep the
readings interesting and thought-provoking.
 As the student, your job is to keep up with your
work and share our ideas and become part of the
class community here on Blackboard.

10.  You will be given the opportunity to be a critical
reader.
 This skill will enable you to get more meaning out
of everything you read as well as help you
navigate different types of texts.
 As your professor, I will work hard to keep the
readings interesting and thought-provoking.
 As the student, your job is to keep up with your
work and share our ideas and become part of the
class community here on Blackboard.