Reading and Writing Skills Module 2
CRITICAL READING AS REASONING
What is Critical Reading?
It 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 whole text resulting in enhanced clarity and comprehension.
While reasoning as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary is an act of giving statements for
justification and explanation. Someone can defend something by giving out reasons.
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.
Steps Used in Critical Reading as Reasoning
by Maxine Rafaella C. Rodriguez and Marella Therese A. Tiongson
1. Identifying assertions
Assertion is a declarative sentence that claims something is true about something else. Simply put,
it is a sentence that is either true or false.
Identify by a common type of assertion such as fact, convention, opinion, and preference
oA fact is a statement that can be proven true or false based on evidence or observation. It can be
proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies or witnesses, verified observations, or the
results of research. It is objective and not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
Examples:
The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an anesthetic and a
sedative.
People use their legs to walk.
oA convention is a practice or custom widely accepted and followed within a particular society or
culture. It is not inherently true or false, but rather a social norm or tradition.
Examples:
The Sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family Oleaceae.
It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone in many cultures.
oAn opinion is a personal belief or judgment about something, often based on individual feelings,
experiences, or values. Opinions are subjective and can vary from person to person.
Examples:
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.
Men are stronger than women.
oA preference is a choice or liking for one thing, based on personal taste or desire. It reflects an
individual's inclinations or priorities.
Examples:
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
The cake is better to eat than ice cream.
In summary, facts are objective and verifiable, conventions are socially accepted practices,
opinions are subjective personal beliefs, and preferences are individual choices or inclinations.
2. Formulating counterclaim
Counterclaims are made to rebut or disprove a previous claim. They provide a contrasting
perspective to the main argument.
The following questions will help you formulate a counterclaim:
What are the major points on which you and the author can disagree?
What is the strongest argument? What did they say to defend their position?
What are the merits of their view?
What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their argument?
Are there any hidden assumptions?
Which lines from the text best support the counterclaim you have formulated?
3. Determining evidence
Evidence is the details given by the authors to support his/her claims.
The evidence provided by the writer validates the text and is crucial in swaying the reader to your
side.
A jury or judge, for example, relies on evidence presented by a lawyer before he/she decides
regarding a case.
Evidence can include the following:
Facts and statistics (objectively validated information on your subject);
Opinion from experts (leading authorities on a topic, like researchers or academics);
Personal anecdotes (generalizable, relevant, and objectively considered).
The following are some questions to help you determine evidence from the text:
