Transcript critical reading - Groupfusion.net

CRITICAL READING
Becoming an aware and smart
READER
CRITICAL READING
Definition:
A careful analysis of material to
determine the intent, purpose
and point of view of the writer.
ANALYZING Includes:
1. Identifying opinions from facts
2. Being aware of propaganda
devices.
3. Recognizing persuasive
techniques
IDENTIFYING FACTS FROM
OPINIONS
FACT:
A statement of information that can
be proven by valid evidence.
OPINION:
A statement of feeling that can’t
be proven.
PROPAGANDA
Definition:
Using written and visual devices
that try to convince us to think in a
certain way, to purchase certain
products or act in a manner we
normally would not be willing to
do.
Device #1: Glittering Generalities
Words that give good and positive
feelings although they cannot be
specifically explained.
Examples:
“All American”
“family values”
“the greatest”
Device #2: NAME CALLING
Words that give bad or negative
feelings although they cannot be
specifically explained.
Examples:
“unreliable”
“un-American”
“the worst”
“sissy”
Device #3: CARD STACKING
By using this device, a
propagandist presents selected
evidence that supports only one
side of an issue or idea. This is
very useful in persuasive
writing.
Device #4: TESTIMONIAL
This device employs a wellknown personality to endorse a
product, a political idea or
candidate.
Device #5: TRANSFER
This device takes the good [or bad]
qualities of an individual, product or
idea and gives them to someone or
something else.
Example:
Our positive feelings for America, the
flag, the Statue of Liberty will shift to a
product, political idea or candidate.
Device #6: BANDWAGON
This device makes us think that
everyone is buying this product,
seeing this movie, thinking this
idea, or voting for this candidate.
It implies that you have to do this
also or risk being left out.This
device appeals to our need to be
part of a group.
Device #7: SNOB APPEAL
By using this device, the
propagandist promises to make
the buyer part of an elite
group.Usually, it is associated
with being wealthy and popular.
Device #8: PLAIN FOLK
This device attempts to associate
things with ideals that people hold
such as the “good old days,” or
“small town America” where
common sense and goodness was
supposed to rule. Plain Folk tries to
show that certain ideas are “purer”
and less complicated. It’s a favorite
with politicians.
Device #9: FAULTY CAUSE and
EFFECT
This device attempts to convince
people that IF they buy a certain
product or vote for a certain candidate
THEN good things will happen to them.
[or the opposite- bad things will
happen].
PERSUASIVE WRITING
BIASED WRITING
Writer expresses her/his strong
attitude for or against a subject in an
attempt to persuade readers to share
that same viewpoint.
Persuasive writing will be biased for or
biased against a topic but never
provides a balanced view.
Persuasive Writing Techniques
1. Oversimplification of Cause
Taking a complex situation which may
have many causes and stating that
there is only one cause for the situation
to occur.
Implied is: correcting that cause, will
correct the problem.
This technique is useful in getting readers to
accept only your analysis.
Oversimplification of causes- Examples
If everyone would recycle their
garbage, we would not have an
environmental problem.
The reason why there are so many
people on welfare is that they don’t
want to work. Make them work and
there will be no welfare.
Persuasive Writing Techniques
2. Overgeneralization
Not enough facts to support
the statement that is made.
Overgeneralization
Example:
The situation could not have been
worse. The team’s second string
quarterback had a thumb injury in the
last two minutes of the game. During the
third quarter, the leading runner had
pulled his hamstring.
Overgeneralization
Example:
Kids today know nothing about history
and geography. They are too busy
playing video games to learn anything.
Summary
Whether video, film, print ads or writing,
the propagandist’s purpose is to:
1. present an unbalanced view of topic
2. Impact us consciously or unconsciously
3. get us to think and act differently than we
normally would do.
SUMMARY
Reading critically lessens the impact of
those who want to influence our
decision since we know:
1. techniques used
2. the purpose of techniques used
3. how to evaluate (judge) biased
information.