Everyone’s a Critic
Reading Part II
Why do they call it Reading
Comprehension when I don’t understand
a thing?
They don’t –it is called Critical Reading
Name some General Reading Tactics:
1. Skim the Questions first
2. Active Reading –Ask self-self, what was that all about?
3. Underline Authors main ideas
4. Underline main idea of each paragraph
5. Circle key names and terms
6. Skip hard last questions relying entirely on vocabulary
7. Divide and conquer
Five commonly Tested Sections:
•Science
•History
•Literature/Fiction
•Arts
•Minority
•Double
What are the Tactics?
Science
Skim & underline terms, Know terms will be defined
History Put EX for example, Circle important names
Art Passage Always Positive, read for overall message
Fiction/Lit
Minority
Double
NO TACTIC! Read Carefully—Enjoy!
ALWAYS POSITIVE
Divide and Conquer!
Types of Questions
YES—first sentence last –main idea
Main Idea
Explicit YES— look at your reading notes and go back!
Implicit YES— but read more carefully!
Author’s Logic YES— but not if last—read between the lines!
Vocabulary-in-context ALWAYS –they give the Answers
Double Passage Sure—Just divide and conquer!
Attitude-DUDE!
Science— always neutral or positive
Fiction/Humanities--always neutral or positive
History -- always neutral or positive
 Minority – always neutral or positive
Art – always neutral or positive
Double -- always neutral or positive
So what is obvious about attitude????
Other Tips!
Do not choose “YOU MUST words!”
Each
Will
All
Totally
Always
Only
Solely
These are words that are TOO absolute!”
Now Spot the “YOU MUST” Words
 A. leads politicians to place complete reliance
upon the results of the opinion polls
 B. Baker’s ideas had no influence on the
outcome
 C. Foreign languages should never be studied
 D. All financial resources should be directed
toward improving the work environment
 E. the belief that nature is inscrutable and
cannot be described
More Tips!
Choose answers containing your key
words –the ones you circled
Be Wishy Washy, not Dramatic
EXAMPLE:
A. The author hates discrimination
VS
B. the author is saddened by the discrimination and
tries to understand its causes
Another version of Wishy/Washy
Key Words:
Can
Some
Most
Sometimes
Might
Suggest
Spot Wishy Washy Words
 A. New research may lead to improvements in
manufacturing technology
 B. Not all workers respond the same way to
instruction
 C. Improved weather was but one of the many
factors that led to the record crop
 D. Most scientists believe that continued progress
is possible
 E. Everyone cannot expect to be happy all the time.
Reading Practice for your EYES!
***Look at your Sheets