Introduction

Chapter 11: Critical Reading

Critical readers use direct statements, inferences, prior knowledge, and language clues to evaluate the accuracy and relevance of what they read before accepting it. In this chapter critical reading is looked at in terms of: 1) the author’s purpose or intent (inform, persuade, entertain); 2) the author’s point of view or bias; 3) the author’s tone or attitude; 4) the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion; and 5) the ability to recognize valid and invalid support for arguments. A "Reader’s Tip" section offers an extensive word list with explanations that can describe an author’s tone or attitude. They include: (1) testimonials, (2) bandwagon, (3) transfer, (4) straw person, (5) misleading analogy, (6) circular reasoning.

Critical reading, vocabulary, and vocabulary enrichment exercises accompany three readings in the areas of literature, letters of opinion and an English essay with additional topic-related Internet activities. An added feature in the Everyday Reading Skills section includes information on evaluating Internet information.