#2.1 : Evaluating Written Texts by Analyzing Claims and Contexts Flashcards
Simple vs. Critical reading
Simple reading is understanding the term, the text, knowing the character, getting the message or context, etc. Critical reading is analyzing, interpreting, evaluating the author’s claims, evidence, arguments. And we can also give possible counterclaims to the author’s arguments.
Signs of critical reading
evaluate claims, demand proof, and question assumptions
Characteristics of a critical reader
- Honest with themselves
- Resists manipulation
- Overcome confusion
- Asks questions
- Base judgment on the evidence
- Looks for connection between subjects
- Intellectually independent
This technique is somehow similar to a diary, except you are writing your personal thoughts, feelings, and ideas as a reaction to your reading material.
Keeping a reading journal
This technique allows you to make or add notes giving further explanation or comments. You can highlight or underline an important line or passage.
Annotating the text
This technique is used to plot out the thesis statement and/or topic sentences, claims, and evidence. This allows you to see the organization, structure, and sequences of the writer’s work.
Outlining the text
This technique is similar to outlining where you are creating a condensed version that covers the gist of the main points of the text. In summarizing, locating the thesis statement and topic sentences are of great help.
Summarizing the text
This technique encourages you to ask specific questions of the author and the text. It may be about some points of the text that you are skeptical about or points that are not aligned with your personal views and experiences.
Questioning the text
It is the writer’s point or position or what they believe in.
Claim
A claim is a statement that asserts to be true, that’s why the writer supports the claim using ________.
evidence
The paper’s ________, including the scope, is defined by the author’s claim.
direction
It is when the claim is clearly explained, outrightly written in the text.
Explicit information
It is when the claim is not directly stated but is suggested; getting the main point by making inferences and drawing conclusions.
Implicit information
What is important in implicit information?
reasoning and prior knowledge
Expect that there are objections from other people because of our differences, especially when our claim is not based on facts. (Characteristics of a good claim)
Argumentative and debatable
There should be a clear and concise claim; avoid broad scope because it will lack direction and connection. (Characteristics of a good claim)
Specific and focused
Encourage the audience from your claim; it should be relevant and the topic is up to date. (Characteristics of a good claim)
Interesting and engaging
There should be reasoning; provide pieces of evidence to build reasoned arguments to support the claim. (Characteristics of a good claim)
Logical
Claim vs. thesis statement
Claim is a part of the thesis statement. The thesis statement has the writer’s claim including a brief preview of his/her arguments.
A claim that is proven by observation or research; quantifiable (number/objective) assertion.
Claim of fact
Questions most commonly asked in a claim of fact.
- Did it happen?
- Does it exist?
- Is it a fact?
A claim that is based on preference, personal choice, or judgment of the writer; qualifiable (words/subjective) assertion.
Claim of value
What are the topics most commonly used in a claim of value?
Arguments are about moral, philosophical, ethical, or aesthetic topics.
Questions most commonly used in a claim of value
- Is it good or bad?
- Of what worth is it?
- Is it moral or immoral?
- What do those people value?
- Are my values different from others?
A claim that suggests/recommends something to solve a particular issue or problem; gives actionable plans.
Claim of policy
Commonly used words in a claim of policy
“should”, “must”, “ought to”, and “need to”
Questions most commonly asked in a claim of policy
- What should we do?
- How should we act?
- What should be the future policy?
- How can we solve this problem?
- What concrete course of action should we pursue to solve the problem?
Also known as situations or circumstances (social, cultural, political, historical, etc.) that linger around the text.
Context
2 techniques of context
Intertextual and Hypertext link
The text is patterned or inspired by previously written works like novels or theater plays; trying to link the idea from the reading material to other related works that are somehow patterned, inspired, or influenced.
Intertextual link
A way of providing clickable links to other sections of a document, or other documents on the internet to get to know more about the context in the text; non-conventional, unusual, or not traditional because the internet is being used.
Hypertext link
