Chapter 10: Reading and Thinking Critically

1. Chapter 10: Reading and Thinking Critically Essential Reading Skills, 2/eKathleen McWhorter

2. An inference is an educated guess or prediction about something unknown based on available facts and information. It is the logical connection that you draw between what you observe or know and what you do not know. Inference

3. A man seated alone in a restaurant nervously glances at everyone who enters. Every few minutes he checks his watch. Inference Example What can you infer?

4. How to Make Inferences • Understand the literal meaning. • Notice details. • Add up the facts. • Look at the writer’s choice of words. • Understand the writer’s purpose. • Check your inferences against the facts.

5. Writer’s Clues • Descriptive details. • Action details. • Conversation details. • Word choice.

6. Inform Persuade Amuse Give Instructions Understanding a Writer’s Purpose

7. Some Characteristics: uses many examples uses long, complicated sentences uses informal word choice uses technical language Intended Audiences: news magazines professional journals newspapers children’s books retirement news letters textbooks Style & Intended Audience Writers have unique characteristics.

8. Denotation: The meaning stated in the dictionary; its literal meaning Denotation

9. Connotation: The additional implied meanings that a word may take on. It can carry either a positive or negative, favorable or unfavorable, impression. Connotation

10. Slim or Skinny Intelligent or Brainy Heavy or Fat Particular or Picky Connotative Meanings

11. Instructive Sympathetic Persuasive Humorous Sentimental Angry Impersonal Casual Tone: Attitude or Feeling a Writer Expresses See Table 10.1 for more examples of words to describe tone.

12. Facts are statements that can be verified. Facts can be proven true or false. Facts are objective. Distinguishing Facts and Opinion

13. Greenpeace is an organization dedicated to preserving the sea and its animals. (You can check this by reading its mission statement or “About Us” on its Web site.) Example of Fact

14. Opinions are statements that express a writer’s feelings, attitudes, or beliefs. They are neither true or false. Distinguishing Facts and Opinion

15. “My car payments are too expensive.” (Others may disagree with you, especially the company that sold you the car or another person who is paying more than you are.) Example of Opinion

16. Bad Worse Good Better Best Worthless Disgusting Amazing Wonderful Lovely Judgment Words (Interpreting, Evaluating, Expressing Feeling)

17. Use the information contained in the passage. Look for inferences by adding up the facts. For tone, ask, “How does the author feel towards his or her subject?” Watch for connotative language and emotional meanings. Test-Taking Tip #10: Critical Reading Questions

18. For purpose, ask, “What does the writer intend to accomplish by writing this?” Questions about intended audience are often worded, “This passage is written for….,” or “This passage is intended to appeal to….” Test-Taking Tip #10: Critical Reading Questions

19. Visit the Companion Website http://www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter