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Based upon or directly from the work of Dan Kurland at http://www.criticalreading.com/
Analyzing What a Text Means: Interpretation
This final level of reading infers an overall meaning of the text. Features are examined that run throughout the text to see how the discussion shapes perceptions of reality. Meaning is derived from the examination of what the text says, how content and language shape the portrayal of the topic, and how relationships between those patterns convey underlying meaning.
When reading expository text that presents an argument, the following questions should be used for critical reading. Evaluating an argument means testing the logic of a text as well as its credibility and emotional impact. All writers make assertions that want you to accept as true.
Finding the Thesis or Theme
Both of these terms concern the overall message of a book. The main difference is that "thesis" is generally used when referring to nonfiction works while a "theme" is used when referring to a literary work (fiction).
The thesis of a nonfiction piece is the argument the writer is making. It is often stated clearly in a single sentence within the first few paragraphs of an article. With a little practice, the thesis is easy to locate.
Fiction is not so easy to find. Literature is an art, and the beauty of art is that it can be interpreted differently by everyone. The message of a fiction book is much like the message of a beautiful painting. It is not something that is stated in a particular sentence and easily located; it is something that is comprehended upon reflection.
Considering the meaning of the text, the reader should ask the following questions appropriate for the text
Model Responses to the Three Questions:
Nursery Rhyme
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow,
and everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go.
Question # 1 - A restatement would talk about Mary and the lamb.
Example: Mary had a lamb that followed her everywhere.
Question # 2 - A description would talk about the story within the fairy tale.
Example: The nursery rhyme describes a pet that followed its mistress everywhere.
Question # 3 - The interpretation talks about meaning within the story, here the idea is of innocent devotion.
Example: An image of innocent devotion is conveyed by the story of a lamb’s devotion to its mistress. The devotion is emphasized by repetition that emphasizes the constancy of the lamb’s actions (“everywhere”…”sure to go.”) The notion of innocence is conveyed by the image of a young lamb, “white as snow.” By making it seem that this is natural and good, the nursery rhyme asserts innocent devotion as a positive relationship.
From www.criticalreading.com
This final level of reading infers an overall meaning of the text. Features are examined that run throughout the text to see how the discussion shapes perceptions of reality. Meaning is derived from the examination of what the text says, how content and language shape the portrayal of the topic, and how relationships between those patterns convey underlying meaning.
When reading expository text that presents an argument, the following questions should be used for critical reading. Evaluating an argument means testing the logic of a text as well as its credibility and emotional impact. All writers make assertions that want you to accept as true.
- As a critical reader, you should not accept anything on face value but to recognize every assertion as an argument that must be carefully evaluated.
- An argument has two essential parts: a claim and support.
- The claim asserts a conclusion -- an idea, an opinion, a judgment, or a point of view - that the writer wants you to accept.
- The support includes reasons (shared beliefs, assumptions, and values) and evidence (facts, examples, statistics, and authorities) that give readers the basis for accepting the conclusion.
- When you assess an argument, you are concerned with the process of reasoning as well as its truthfulness (these are not the same thing).
- At the most basic level, in order for an argument to be acceptable, the support must be appropriate to the claim and the statements must be consistent with one another.
Finding the Thesis or Theme
Both of these terms concern the overall message of a book. The main difference is that "thesis" is generally used when referring to nonfiction works while a "theme" is used when referring to a literary work (fiction).
The thesis of a nonfiction piece is the argument the writer is making. It is often stated clearly in a single sentence within the first few paragraphs of an article. With a little practice, the thesis is easy to locate.
Fiction is not so easy to find. Literature is an art, and the beauty of art is that it can be interpreted differently by everyone. The message of a fiction book is much like the message of a beautiful painting. It is not something that is stated in a particular sentence and easily located; it is something that is comprehended upon reflection.
Considering the meaning of the text, the reader should ask the following questions appropriate for the text
- What does the author hope to gain from taking this position?
- How does the author's position stand up in comparison to other positions on the issue?
- Whose voices are missing, silenced, or discounted?
- How might alternative perspectives or viewpoints be represented?
- What does the author want the reader to believe
- What are the sources of information and fact?
- What is the author’s background and experience?
- Is there enough evidence to support the point the author is trying to make?
- Does the evidence relate to the main point in a logical way? In other words, does the evidence work to prove the point, or does is contradict the point, or show itself to be irrelevant to the point the author is trying to make
- What is the method and quality of information collected?
- What are the concepts that make the reasoning possible?
- What are the assumptions that underlie the concepts in use?
- What are the implications that follow from their use?
- What does the author, filmmaker, or artist want you to think?
- What is the world like to people in this text?
- Were things left out of the illustrations that you thought needed to be included?
- What might you add to the story to make it more complete?
- What do other sources of information say about these events, characters, and issues?
- Is the information accurate and believable?
- What kind of research went into writing this book?
- What has the author said that makes you question the accuracy of the information?
- What is the major concept(s) in this text?
- What is the thesis or theme of the text?
Model Responses to the Three Questions:
Nursery Rhyme
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow,
and everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go.
Question # 1 - A restatement would talk about Mary and the lamb.
Example: Mary had a lamb that followed her everywhere.
Question # 2 - A description would talk about the story within the fairy tale.
Example: The nursery rhyme describes a pet that followed its mistress everywhere.
Question # 3 - The interpretation talks about meaning within the story, here the idea is of innocent devotion.
Example: An image of innocent devotion is conveyed by the story of a lamb’s devotion to its mistress. The devotion is emphasized by repetition that emphasizes the constancy of the lamb’s actions (“everywhere”…”sure to go.”) The notion of innocence is conveyed by the image of a young lamb, “white as snow.” By making it seem that this is natural and good, the nursery rhyme asserts innocent devotion as a positive relationship.
From www.criticalreading.com