#2.1 : Evaluating Written Texts by Analyzing Claims and Contexts

Question 1

Simple vs. Critical reading

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Signs of critical reading

Answer 2

evaluate claims, demand proof, and question assumptions

Question 3

Characteristics of a critical reader

Answer 3

• Honest with themselves
• Resists manipulation
• Overcome confusion
• Asks questions
• Base judgment on the evidence
• Looks for connection between subjects
• Intellectually independent

Question 4

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.

Answer 4

Keeping a reading journal

Question 5

This technique allows you to make or add notes giving further explanation or comments. You can highlight or underline an important line or passage.

Answer 5

Annotating the text

Question 6

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.

Answer 6

Outlining the text

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

Summarizing the text

Question 8

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.

Answer 8

Questioning the text

Question 9

It is the writer’s point or position or what they believe in.

Answer 9

Claim

Question 10

A claim is a statement that asserts to be true, that’s why the writer supports the claim using ________.

Answer 10

evidence

Question 11

The paper’s ________, including the scope, is defined by the author’s claim.

Answer 11

direction

Question 12

It is when the claim is clearly explained, outrightly written in the text.

Answer 12

Explicit information

Question 13

It is when the claim is not directly stated but is suggested; getting the main point by making inferences and drawing conclusions.

Answer 13

Implicit information

Question 14

What is important in implicit information?

Answer 14

reasoning and prior knowledge

Question 15

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)

Answer 15

Argumentative and debatable

Question 16

There should be a clear and concise claim; avoid broad scope because it will lack direction and connection. (Characteristics of a good claim)

Answer 16

Specific and focused

Question 17

Encourage the audience from your claim; it should be relevant and the topic is up to date. (Characteristics of a good claim)

Answer 17

Interesting and engaging

Question 18

There should be reasoning; provide pieces of evidence to build reasoned arguments to support the claim. (Characteristics of a good claim)

Answer 18

Logical

Question 19

Claim vs. thesis statement

Answer 19

Claim is a part of the thesis statement. The thesis statement has the writer’s claim including a brief preview of his/her arguments.

Question 20

A claim that is proven by observation or research; quantifiable (number/objective) assertion.

Answer 20

Claim of fact

Question 21

Questions most commonly asked in a claim of fact.

Answer 21

1. Did it happen?
2. Does it exist?
3. Is it a fact?

Question 22

A claim that is based on preference, personal choice, or judgment of the writer; qualifiable (words/subjective) assertion.

Answer 22

Claim of value

Question 23

What are the topics most commonly used in a claim of value?

Answer 23

Arguments are about moral, philosophical, ethical, or aesthetic topics.

Question 24

Questions most commonly used in a claim of value

Answer 24

1. Is it good or bad?
2. Of what worth is it?
3. Is it moral or immoral?
4. What do those people value?
5. Are my values different from others?

Question 25

A claim that suggests/recommends something to solve a particular issue or problem; gives actionable plans.

Answer 25

Claim of policy

Question 26

Commonly used words in a claim of policy

Answer 26

“should”, “must”, “ought to”, and “need to”

Question 27

Questions most commonly asked in a claim of policy

Answer 27

1. What should we do?
2. How should we act?
3. What should be the future policy?
4. How can we solve this problem?
5. What concrete course of action should we pursue to solve the problem?

Question 28

Also known as situations or circumstances (social, cultural, political, historical, etc.) that linger around the text.

Answer 28

Context

Question 29

2 techniques of context

Answer 29

Intertextual and Hypertext link

Question 30

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.

Answer 30

Intertextual link

Question 31

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.

Answer 31

Hypertext link