Critical Assessment
1. Describe why it is important to read critically.
Critical reading allows writers to discover an author’s purpose, identify his/her tone and persuasive elements, recognize his/her position on an issue, and explore the strengths and weaknesses of an author’s argument, making readers have a deep understanding of the article and the issue. Also, critical reading helps readers construct and evaluate their own argument because it is the first step of critical writing (Goshgarian and Krueger 28). Moreover, critical reading helps develop critical skills as an interpreter of arguments embodied not in words but in visual images (Goshgarian and Krueger 28).
2. Name and apply the six basic steps in reading critically.
The basic steps in reading critically …show more content…
Four dentists recommend that toothpaste brand. Therefore, it must be great.
l) Non sequitur occurs when the conclusion does not follow from the premises. For example, she is a woman; she is unable to do that job.
m) Post hoc, ergo propter hoc means “after this therefore because of this.” For example, Jim saw Sisi in the hospital; she must be ill.
n) Red herring refers to an attempt to distract the audience from the true issues of an argument. She gave Jim a birthday gift because she loves him.
o) Slippery slope means that one event will inevitably lead to a series of events that end in a catastrophe (Goshgarian and Krueger 56). For example, if we allow same-sex couples to get married, then the next thing we will be allowing people to marry their parents, their pets, and even plants.
p) Stacking the deck occurs when writers give only the evidence that supports their premise, while disregarding or withholding contrary evidence. For example, global warming is not real because the Arctic pole is still cold.
q) Straw man means substituting a person’s actual position or argument with a distorted and exaggerated version of the position of the argument (Goshgarian and Krueger 58). For example, People who do not support the policy of minimum wage increase hate the
Critical reading allows writers to discover an author’s purpose, identify his/her tone and persuasive elements, recognize his/her position on an issue, and explore the strengths and weaknesses of an author’s argument, making readers have a deep understanding of the article and the issue. Also, critical reading helps readers construct and evaluate their own argument because it is the first step of critical writing (Goshgarian and Krueger 28). Moreover, critical reading helps develop critical skills as an interpreter of arguments embodied not in words but in visual images (Goshgarian and Krueger 28).
2. Name and apply the six basic steps in reading critically.
The basic steps in reading critically …show more content…
Four dentists recommend that toothpaste brand. Therefore, it must be great.
l) Non sequitur occurs when the conclusion does not follow from the premises. For example, she is a woman; she is unable to do that job.
m) Post hoc, ergo propter hoc means “after this therefore because of this.” For example, Jim saw Sisi in the hospital; she must be ill.
n) Red herring refers to an attempt to distract the audience from the true issues of an argument. She gave Jim a birthday gift because she loves him.
o) Slippery slope means that one event will inevitably lead to a series of events that end in a catastrophe (Goshgarian and Krueger 56). For example, if we allow same-sex couples to get married, then the next thing we will be allowing people to marry their parents, their pets, and even plants.
p) Stacking the deck occurs when writers give only the evidence that supports their premise, while disregarding or withholding contrary evidence. For example, global warming is not real because the Arctic pole is still cold.
q) Straw man means substituting a person’s actual position or argument with a distorted and exaggerated version of the position of the argument (Goshgarian and Krueger 58). For example, People who do not support the policy of minimum wage increase hate the