{"id":38,"date":"2017-09-04T06:05:04","date_gmt":"2017-09-04T06:05:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/americanboard.org\/Subjects\/english\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2017-09-18T14:55:23","modified_gmt":"2017-09-18T14:55:23","slug":"critical-evaluation-text","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/Subjects\/english\/critical-evaluation-text\/","title":{"rendered":"Critical Evaluation Text"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Critical Evaluation Text<\/h1>\n

Objective<\/h4>\n

This lesson will go beyond categorizing the text to cover how to evaluate expository writing.<\/p>\n

Critical reading involves studying a text in depth, breaking it down into understandable parts, and analyzing the meaning of the text. This method of reading contrasts with how or why we read at other times, whether it be for pleasure, for entertainment, or for gathering factual information.<\/p>\n

Several factors are important when critically analyzing written material:<\/p>\n

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  • Consider the author, who brings assumptions, attitudes, and a certain point of view to any written work.<\/li>\n
  • Evaluate the purpose of the material. Why was it written? What does the author hope to achieve?<\/li>\n
  • Determine the author\u2019s audience. By understanding the intended audience of the written work, you should garner a deeper understanding and a better appreciation of the work itself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The Author<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Since they are not automatons, authors put themselves into what they write; critical readers should keep this fact in mind. First, consider what unstated assumptions<\/abbr> the author is making. Assumptions are beliefs we consider to be true with little or no proof. When reading critically, ask yourself the following question: What must be true in order for the author\u2019s argument to be true?<\/p>\n

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    For example, Jonathan Edwards assumes that members of his congregation believe in Heaven and Hell, when he presents the sermon now known as \u201cSinners in the Hands of an Angry God.\u201d Another example would be an author writing about the women\u2019s suffrage movement who assumes that the welfare of women would improve if they were allowed to vote.Some authors will explicitly state their beliefs, while others will simply imply them. That\u2019s where inferences <\/abbr>come into play. When reading unfamiliar or possibly confusing material, you often have to draw conclusions based on the information you are given. In other words, an inference involves reading between the lines, or making an educated guess based on available evidence or your own background knowledge.<\/p>\n

    When reading, you should look for the following types of clues to help you make inferences:<\/p>\n