Critical Reading Question #2
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Based upon or directly from the work of Dan Kurland at http://www.criticalreading.com/
Describing What a Text Does: Description
This second level of reading is concerned not only with understanding individual remarks, but also with recognizing the structure of a discussion. We examine what a text does to convey ideas. We might read this way to understand how an editorial justifies a particular conclusion, or how a history text supports a particular interpretation of events. At the previous level of reading, restatement, we demonstrated comprehension by repeating the thought of the text. Here we are concerned with describing the discussion:
This level of reading looks at broad portions of the text to identify the structure of the discussion as a whole. On completion, the critical reader can repeat what the text says, and also describe what the text does. Specifically they can identify how evidence is used and how the final points are reached. They look for a topic to be addressed in terms that are clearly defined with evidence presented. Common knowledge must be accounted for, exceptions must be explained, causes must be shown to precede effects and to be capable of the effect, and conclusions must be shown to follow logically from earlier arguments and evidence. Only once the purpose and perspective are determined and that a text is consistent and coherent can it be decided whether or not to accept the assertions and conclusions.
Included in the structure is a description of how the author(s) crafts the text using voice, dialogue, language, figures of speech, imagery, mood, tone and etc.
When literature is analyzed it explains what a work of literature means, and how it means it; it is essentially an articulation of and a defense of an interpretation which shows how the resources of literature are used to create the meaningfulness of the text.
There are several main reasons for analyzing literature:
Additional Resources
CRITICAL READING: A GUIDE
A Guide Designed for His Year 1 Students by Professor John Lye Copyright John Lye 1996, 1997
This is a guide to what you might look for in analyzing literature, particularly poetry and fiction. An analysis explains what a work of literature means, and how it means it; it is essentially an articulation of and a defense of an interpretation which shows how the resources of literature are used to create the meaningfulness of the text. There are people who resist analysis, believing that it 'tears apart' a work of art; however a work of art is an artifice, that is, it is made by someone with an end in view: as a made thing, it can be and should be analyzed as well as appreciated.
Reasons for Analyzing Literature
What to look for in analyzing the text for critical reading.
This second level of reading is concerned not only with understanding individual remarks, but also with recognizing the structure of a discussion. We examine what a text does to convey ideas. We might read this way to understand how an editorial justifies a particular conclusion, or how a history text supports a particular interpretation of events. At the previous level of reading, restatement, we demonstrated comprehension by repeating the thought of the text. Here we are concerned with describing the discussion:
- what topics are discussed?
- what examples and evidence are used?
- what conclusions are reached?
This level of reading looks at broad portions of the text to identify the structure of the discussion as a whole. On completion, the critical reader can repeat what the text says, and also describe what the text does. Specifically they can identify how evidence is used and how the final points are reached. They look for a topic to be addressed in terms that are clearly defined with evidence presented. Common knowledge must be accounted for, exceptions must be explained, causes must be shown to precede effects and to be capable of the effect, and conclusions must be shown to follow logically from earlier arguments and evidence. Only once the purpose and perspective are determined and that a text is consistent and coherent can it be decided whether or not to accept the assertions and conclusions.
Included in the structure is a description of how the author(s) crafts the text using voice, dialogue, language, figures of speech, imagery, mood, tone and etc.
When literature is analyzed it explains what a work of literature means, and how it means it; it is essentially an articulation of and a defense of an interpretation which shows how the resources of literature are used to create the meaningfulness of the text.
There are several main reasons for analyzing literature:
- to obtain a deeper understanding and a fuller appreciation of the literature
- to lead to a more astute and powerful use of the tools of meaning on the reader's part.
- to be aware of the cultural delineations of a work, its ideological aspects
- to understand the way ideas and feelings are talked about in our culture or in other times and cultures
- How is the information organized (e.g. by topic, in time, by contrasting ideas)?
- What genre does the selection represent?
- What is the purpose of the text?
- What are the ends and objectives
- Is the Source Relevant?
- Is the Source Credible?
- Is the Source Current?
- From what point of view was this written?
- Whose perspective is found in this text?
- What is the author’s stance or perspective towards this topic?
- Who or what is not represented?
- Who was the voice the author chose as narrator: first person, third person, a storyteller, an anonymous voice, a different voice, or the author as self?
- What are some interesting words, phrases, and sentences?
- Were words used to create a feeling or picture in your mind?
- Was any of the language especially interesting, vivid or surprising?
- Was the dialogue realistic? Could you hear people in life saying those words?
- What did you notice about the style of the writing?
- How did the text begin: with a question, dialogue, a shocking statement, one word?
- Were there examples of slang, different spellings, or strange words or expressions?
- What is the mood and tone?
- What figurative language is used?
- Is there imagery?
- Is there personification?
Additional Resources
CRITICAL READING: A GUIDE
A Guide Designed for His Year 1 Students by Professor John Lye Copyright John Lye 1996, 1997
This is a guide to what you might look for in analyzing literature, particularly poetry and fiction. An analysis explains what a work of literature means, and how it means it; it is essentially an articulation of and a defense of an interpretation which shows how the resources of literature are used to create the meaningfulness of the text. There are people who resist analysis, believing that it 'tears apart' a work of art; however a work of art is an artifice, that is, it is made by someone with an end in view: as a made thing, it can be and should be analyzed as well as appreciated.
Reasons for Analyzing Literature
What to look for in analyzing the text for critical reading.