CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES

Reading and Writing 11

CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Evaluating Argument

An evaluative argument makes a judgment on

the performance of a particular item in its category. You
can determine whether this performance was “good” or
“fair” or “unusual,” etc.
CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Steps in Evaluating Argument

1.UNDERSTAND THE CLAIM, OR

OPINION.
 Read through the argument to make sure that you
understand the matter being discussed. Make sure
to analyze the author’s claim or opinion for you to
easily evaluate the author’s opinion.
CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Steps in Evaluating Argument

2. IDENTIFY THE SUPPORT

 An author must provide support for a claim in
order to create a persuasive argument. There are
many types of support.
CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Steps in Evaluating Argument

Logical appeal (LOGOS): Reasons used to show

that the opinion of the author is valid.

Emotional Appeals (PATHOS): To win readers

over, authors sometimes appeal to readers
emotions rather than their reasons.

Ethical Appeals (ETHOS): Addresses readers

sense of right and wrong. This relies on the fact
that the writer is ethical.
CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Steps in Evaluating Argument

3. EVALUATE THE EVIDENCE

 An argument is only is only as strong as its
evidence. In order for the evidence and argument
to be strong the author must…
- Provide evidence that directly relates to the
argument.
- Present sufficient evidence to back up
generalizations and prove the claim.
- Use a combination of all types of appeals: logical,
emotional, ethical.
CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Steps in Evaluating Argument

4. Identify the Author’s Intent

Intent-why the author is making this argument;
the author’s purpose.
Be sure that the author has not been biased or
prejudiced.
Intent influences the tone of the argument. For
example, if the author wants the readers to take
action, the tone might be strongly emotionally
and urgent.
CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Reflecting on Challenges to your
beliefs and values
Reflecting on challenges to your beliefs and values You

should always critically examine the grounds for your

personal responses to a text.

CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Reflecting on Challenges to your
beliefs and values
IT OFTEN CHALLENGES:
 Attitudes
 Unconsciously held beliefs
 Positions or current issues
FEELINGS
 Anxious
 Irritable
 Disturbed
 Threatened
 Ashamed
 CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Reflecting on Challenges to your beliefs
and values
GROW
 Intellectually

 Emotionally

 Social understanding

READING STRATEGY
 Mark the text where you feel challenged

 Reflect on why you feel challenged

 Mark an X

 Make a brief note

 CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
Reflecting on Challenges to your beliefs
and values
 Review the what you have marked where you feel
challenged.
 Dispute judgments about your beliefs.
 Write about what you learned.
 Describe the challenging parts.
 Write sentence reflecting responses.