Introduction

Studying a language like English in an

adventure
Discover many things as you develop
communicative skills in reading and writing
You will be mystified by some ideas before you
learn them

The Reading Process

Studying English and excelling in it can
be achieved by going back to the basics.
Improving your reading skills is the first step
Be a critical reader through effective reading
strategies
Equipped with a deeper understanding of a
text by focusing on how to analyze an
authors claim

Reading (definition)
A cognitive process of decoding symbols to
derive meaning from a text
Involves a complex interaction between the
text and the reader interpretation is
shaped by his/her prior knowledge,
experiences and attitudes

Reading (definition)
Gain and share information and ideas,
whether for academic, personal or
professional purposes
An indispensable skill that requires
continuous practice, development and
refinement

Skills simultaneously applied in

reading
Identifying the authors purpose
Grasping the main ideas of the text
Locating important details
Using context clues to understand
unfamiliar words
Answering specific questions
Analyzing and critiquing the text

Effective Reading Strategies

Getting an overview of the text
Using context clues
Using connotation and denotation

Getting an Overview of the Text

Survey the text as a whole before going
deeper into each part
Use the following:
Previewing
Skimming
Scanning

Previewing
Looking at the readily visible parts of the
text (titles and subtitles, visuals & graphs,
pictures & charts)
Familiarize with the context of the selection
and focus on the important information in
the text

Previewing
Steps:

Identify your purpose for reading

Examine the titles and subtitles of the text
Browse the introduction and the conclusion
Look at the visual elements of the text
Take note of the things that interest you to
better understand the text

Skimming
Look for the main point of the reading and
identify the ideas that develop it
Physically moving your eyes rapidly along
the page and tracing your finger along the
lines of the text to speed up your reading
Involves quickly going through beginning
and concluding sentences of paragraphs
these usually talk about the topic of the text

Scanning
Looking for basic information you need to
have an idea of the details your are looking
for
Instructions or questions may help you in
knowing what to scan for
Dont have to read every word; just read
until you locate the details you are
searching for

Using Context Clues

Context clues
Words, phrases, and sentences that
surround an unfamiliar word that can help
you recognize the meaning of an unknown
word
Give you information about the unknown
words
Help you discover an approximate definition

Common Types of Context Clues

Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
Explanations and definitions
Situations

Synonyms
Used when the text has words or phrases
that are similar in meaning to the unknown
word.
They are not exactly the same, though,
because a word may have different
associations with it
Signaled by the words: like or as

Synonyms
Examples:
Humpty Dumpty took great pleasure in obfuscating the
poems meaning for Alice. His explanations about the poem
were confusing and complicated.
Alice envisaged the Jabberwock in her mind. She imagined
its sharp claws and jaws, and then shivered in fright
The narrator in the poem was euphoric at his sons victory,
for he cried out triumphantly when the boy came.

Antonyms
A word that reveals the opposite meaning
in relation to the unknown word.
Words that usually precede antonyms:
although, but, despite, instead, in contrast, unlike.
However, even though, on the contrary, conversely
= used to show contrasting ideas

Antonyms
Examples:
The boy in the poem surreptitiously set out to find the
monster. He did not tell anyone about his plans.
The Jabberwock was relentlessly pursued by the boy,
unlike the others who gave up easily.
The hero in the poem did not give in to trepidation; rather,
he bravely slayed the Jabberwock.

Examples
Specific details in a text that are used to
clarify the meaning of a word
Examples:
There are many eccentric creatures in the forest; such as
mome raths and borogoves.
Only few weapons are truly nifty in hunting monsters, like
the vorpal sword.
The boys father was ecstatic. He laughed, cheered and
hugged his son.

Explanations and Definitions

May be given as clues to describe an
unknown term
Explanations because, that is
Definitions is, means, is defined as, refers to

Situations
The situation in which a word is used can
also be helpful in determining the meaning
of the unknown word.
The meaning of a word may change
depending on its context, or how and
where it is used.

Situations
Examples:
The boy wondered if he should have brought some back
up, in case he could not take it to himself. (if it should happen)
The heros conquest is an exemplary case of bravery. (an
instance of occurrence)

The hero is lucky that the murder does not merit a case in
court. (charges raised in court)

Using Denotation and Connotation

Another way of improving your
comprehension of a text is trying to
understand the different meanings that a
particular word can have
2 ways of describing the meaning of a word:
Denotation
Connotation

Using Denotation and Connotation

Denotation = basic, precise, literal meaning
of a word
Connotation = positive, negative, or neutral
feelings, attitudes, ideas, or
associations with a word
Affected by social tones, emotional
meanings, or cultural implications

Using Denotation and Connotation

Example:
Father
Denotation
A male parent
Connotation Association:
positive
Feelings: love,
respect

Daddy
A male parent
Association:
positive
Feelings: love,
familiarity,
childhood

Connotation
portray more multifaceted definitions of a
word whether these are positive, negative
or neutral
Positive = favorable associations toward a word
Negative = unfavorable feelings or ideas toward a word
Neutral = impartial associations towards a word
Example: house, home, shanty

Lesson 2

Evaluating Written Texts by

Analyzing Claims

Evaluating Written Texts by Analyzing Claims

Text scam messages proliferate
Look for proof before believing the anonymous texters
claim

This is an example of critical thinking

Everyday, you encounter many instances that require
critical thinking
- ads from the TV, the radio, etc.
But it is dangerous to believe everything without
questioning
Thus, critical thinking is a necessary skill

Critical Thinking
Evaluate claims, seek definitions, judge information,
demand proof, question assumptions
Goes beyond passively understanding a text
- process the authors words
- make judgements by considering the message

Reading Critically
Thinking critically
Do not simply accept the message on the page
Bring to your reading your own experiences &
perspective
Find authors views on something
Ask questions
Evaluate the strengths & weaknesses of the authors
argument
Decide to agree or disagree

Techniques to Develop Critical Reading

Skills
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Keeping a reading journal

Annotating the text
Outlining the text
Summarizing the text
Questioning the text

Keeping a Reading Journal

Writing your feelings and ideas in reaction to your reading
assignment
Allows you to develop your impressions of the text and
connect them to your personal experiences

Annotating the Text

Making notes on your copy of the reading
Highlighting or underlining important passages
Writing notes, comments, questions, and reactions on the
margin
Best to annotate the text after you have read it more than
once to ensure that you understand it properly

Outlining the Text

Creating a rough outline of the text will also be helpful
By locating the thesis statement, claims, and evidence,
and then plotting these into an outline, you can see the
writer structures, sequences, and connect his/her ideas

Summarizing the Text

Getting the main points of the text and important
supporting details
You can better understand the reading by recognizing
and differentiating major and minor points

Questioning the Text

Involves asking specific questions on points that you are
skeptical about
May be topics that do not meet your expectations or
agree with your personal views
You should also take note of things that you found
impressive

Identifying and Analyzing Claims

Determining explicit and implicit information
Defining claims

Determining Explicit & Implicit Information

Explicit = information that is clearly stated
= clearly written and explained in the text
Implicit = ideas that are suggested
= not stated outright in the text
= need to use the clues in the text to make an
inference
Inference = conclusion that you make based on explicit
information and your reasoning and background
knowledge

Defining Claims
Claim = writers point or position regarding the chosen topic
= central argument or thesis statement of the text
= proven by the author by providing details,
explanations and other types of evidence
= sentence that summarizes the most important
thing that the writer wants to say as a result of
his/her thinking, reading, or writing

Characteristics of a Good Claim

1. Argumentative and debatable
When a writer makes a claim, he/she is making a
case for particular perspective
Readers expect to be able to raise objections to the
claim, and that is only possible if the claim is
something that can be reasonably challenged

Characteristics of a Good Claim

2. Specific and focused
If the claim is unfocused, the paper will be too broad
in scope and will lack direction and will lack a clear
connection to the support provided
Unfocused text may lead to overgeneralizations and
vague assertions

Characteristics of a Good Claim

3. Interesting and engaging
Should hook the reader to encourage them to
consider the authors perspective and learn
something new

Characteristics of a Good Claim

4. Logical
Should result from reasonable weighing of support
provided
Questions to help you determine the writers claim:
What is the authors main point?
What is the authors position regarding it?

Types of Claims
1. Claims of fact
2. Claims of value
3. Claims of policy

Claims of Fact
State a quantifiable assertion or a measurable topic
Assert that something has existed, exists, or will exist
based on data
Rely on reliable sources or systematic procedures to be
validated (makes it different from inferences)
Usually answer a what question

Claims of Fact
To determine if it is a claim of fact:
Is this issue related to a possible cause or effect?
Is this statement true or false? How can its
truthfulness be verified?
Is this claim controversial or debatable?

Claims of Value
Asserts something that can be qualified
Consists of arguments about moral, philosophical, or
aesthetic topics
Try to prove that some values are more or less desirable
compared to others
Make judgments, based on certain standards right or
wrong, good or bad
Attempt to explain how problems, situations, or issues
ought to be valued

Claims of Value
To determine, ask the following questions:
Which claims endorse what is good or right?
What qualities should be considered good? Why?
Which of these values contend with others? Which
ones are more important, and why?
What are some concrete examples of such values?

Claims of Policy
Suggest that specific actions should be chosen as
solutions to a particular problem
Begin with should, ought to, or must
Defend actionable plans, usually answer how questions

Claims of Policy
To evaluate a claim of policy, useful questions:
Does the claim suggest a specific remedy to solve
the problem?
Is the policy clearly defined?
Is the need for the policy established?
Is the policy the best one available? For whom?
According to whose standards?
How does the policy solve the problem?

Context of Text Development