Critical Reading

Evidence

Supporting material used to prove or disprove a claim or assertion.

Margin

The borders or edges of a text; the blank spaces where readers can write questions and comments (talk to the text).

Pre-Reading Strategies

1. Ask a question 2. Make a prediction 3. Number the paragraphs

During Reading Strategies

1. Underline the claim 2. Bracket evidence 3. Circle unfamiliar words 4. Annotate = write in the margins

Summary

A brief, concise review or retelling of the most important parts of what was read, written in your own words (no copying or quoting).

Main Idea (MI)

A claim, assertion or arguable statement put forth by the author; the key point or important concept.

Paraphrase

Restating a very short passage from a source text in your own words by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure but keeping the meaning the same.

Critical Reading

The process of examining, analyzing, and evaluating a text by using specific reading and thinking strategies.

Inferential

To infer is to "read between the lines" and draw conclusions about what a writer or speaker is implying (not stating directly). Inferring involves interpreting figurative language, predicting outcomes, determining mood and tone, and judging the author/speaker's point of view. This is the next level of reading and listening comprehension.

Critical or Evaluative

Understanding what the writer or speaker means and why they said it. This involves interacting intellectually and emotionally with the material and interrogating the text. This is the highest level of reading and listening comprehension.

Literal or Explicit

What a text (author, speaker) actually says directly and explicitly. This requires identifying the main ideas (MI), understanding the vocabulary, information, facts, details, argument and claims. This is the basic level of reading and listening comprehension.

Prediction

What you think might happen in the text.