English Composition

ENG115

Reading Critically

Topics

• Reasons to read critically

• Integrating sources into your writing

• Using prereading strategies

• Reading actively

• Using postreading strategies

Reasons to Read Critically

• To understand the information

• To use the information and concepts in your own writing

• To become a better writer

• To learn what is effective and ineffective in writing

Integrating Sources into Your Writing

• Use information gained from critical reading

• Use quotations, paraphrases or summaries

• Cite or document your sources

Using Prereading Strategies

• Purpose of reading

• The active reader previews: – Content and organization of the text– Table of contents and index– Information boxes– Illustrations– Bulleted lists– Abstract or summary

• Ask: What do you bring to the text?

PROPERTIES

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Reading Actively• Increase critical thinking skills

• Gain knowledge

• Apply the knowledge to your thinking and writing

• Question what you read– Annotate– Use rhetorical analysis– Analyze visuals and web pages– Use post-reading strategies

• Understand and retain what you read

Reading Actively, continued

• Annotations

• Rhetorical analysis

• Rhetorical appeals– Ethos– Logos– Pathos

PROPERTIES

On passing, 'Finish' button: Goes to Next SlideOn failing, 'Finish' button: Goes to Next SlideAllow user to leave quiz: At any timeUser may view slides after quiz: At any timeUser may attempt quiz: Unlimited times

Reading Actively, continued

• Rhetorical analysis includes:– Text

• Audience, purpose, appeals, development, tone, dialogue, quotations, and language

– Visuals• Same as above, but also includes effect of

formatting, accuracy of representation and message, emotional reactions, and analysis of what you would do differently

Reading Actively, continued

• Websites– Use written and visual approaches to

rhetorical analysis– Evaluate the site

• .gov• .com• .edu• .org

– Evaluate current information, credibility, authority, reasonableness, support for topic, rhetorical appeals

Postreading Strategies

• Reflect on what you read

• Review main points of text

• What did you learn?

• What questions remain unanswered?

• How can you use what you learned?

Writer’s Research Journal

• Includes:– Notes– Summaries– Synthesis of materials– Search terms– Sites consulted– Questions– Answers– Documentation information

Writing Effective Summaries

• A summary: – Sums up what is in the text– Does not evaluate, critique, or add to

text– To summarize:

• Read text several times• Paraphrase the main ideas• Write the main idea of the text, the thesis,

in your own words• Combine in a coherent paragraph

Synthesizing and Using Your Reading in Your Writing

• Synthesis: – Active reading – Thoughtful reading – Integration of ideas into your text– Documentation of sources of ideas

from the text

PROPERTIES

On passing, 'Finish' button: Goes to Next SlideOn failing, 'Finish' button: Goes to Next SlideAllow user to leave quiz: At any timeUser may view slides after quiz: At any timeUser may attempt quiz: Unlimited times

Summary• Reasons to read critically

• Integrating sources into your writing

• Using prereading strategies

• Reading actively

• Using postreading strategies