Critical reading and critique Ch. 2

Where do we find written critiques in the world? Academic writing Research papers Position papers Book reviews Essay exams Workplace writing Legal briefs and arguments Business plans and proposals Policy briefs

Critical reading Critical reading requires you to both summarize and evaluate a presentation Review: what is a summary? A brief restatement in your own words of the content of a passage Two questions to ask when evaluating a piece of writing: 1. to what extent does the author succeed in his or her purpose? 2. to what extent do you agree with the author?

Question 1: to what extent does the author succeed In their purpose? Locate the author’s thesis Identify the selection’s content and structure Understand the author’s purpose Inform, persuade, or entertain

Writing to inform Types of informative writing: A report on a process A recount of a story Historical background on a topic Provide facts and figures Informative writing responds to these questions: What (or who) is __________? How does _________ work? What is the controversy or problem about? What happened? How and why did it happen? What were the results? What are the arguments for and against _________?

Consider these criteria: Writing to inform Consider these criteria: Accuracy Significance “so what?” Fair interpretation of information We must distinguish between presentation of facts and evaluation of facts

Writing to persuade Writer must begin with an arguable assertion In other words, a thesis Examples: “Because they do not speak English, many children in this affluent land are being denied their fundamental right o equal educational opportunity.” “Bilingual education, which has been stridently promoted by a small group of activists with their own agenda, is detrimental to the very students it is supposed to serve.” Which clue words let you know that these are arguable claims?

Assess an argument by asking: Writing to persuade Assess an argument by asking: Has the author clearly defined key terms? Used information fairly? Argued logically and not fallaciously?

Question 2: to what extent do you agree with the author? Identifying points of agreement and disagreement Be clear about what you believe and how that relates to what the author believes Summarize the author’s position State and explain your own position Explore the reasons for agreement and disagreement: evaluate assumptions Your reactions to the author’s position are based on your assumptions Belief about the world and its operations The author implies and we, the readers, infer

Reading for a critique/evaluation A critique (evaluation) is a formalized, critical reading of a passage When you read a selection to critique, consider the following: What an author says How well the points are made What assumptions underlie the argument What issues are overlooked What implications can be drawn from such an analysis

Writing for an evaluation/critique When you write a critique, positive or negative, include the following: A fair and accurate summary of the passage Information and ideas from other sources (things you’ve read or experienced) if you think these will strengthen your evaluation A statement of your agreement or disagreement with the author backed by SPECIFIC EXAMPLES AND CLEAR LOGIC A clear statement of your own assumptions

HOW TO WRITE THE CRITIQU/EVALUATION Five sections: Introduction Summary Assessment of the presentation Is the information accurate? Is the information significant? Has the author defined terms clearly? Has the author used and interpreted information fairly? Has the author argued logically? Your response to the presentation Conclusion