Reviewer in Reading and Writing Skills

*A gentle reminder that you don’t have to memorize everything,

just read and read, analyze, and keep the important information in mind.*

Critical reading is engaging in analytic activity which involves the reader by asking questions about the text
and the author’s claim. Therefore, when reading critically, it is necessary to question the different arguments
used by the author, as any problem can weaken the authenticity of the conclusion.
Remember that critical reading is not meant to criticize but to assess the validity of textual evidence.
Hypertext is the non-linear way of presenting information while intertext is the method of text development
that enables the author to make another text based on another text.
Hyperlink is the new way of reading through the use of internet which sends the reader to another website
upon clicking the link presented on the text.
Example of intertext is when a part of a story is based on another story. Like the storylines between
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story. In both written works, the young couple must hide their
relationship from their families because their families do not get along with each other.

Claim is an assertion that something is true. Example, my claim is “Women are better than men”. That is what
I believe to be true which can be proven through evidences.
Claim is somewhat synonymous to assertions, yet, it merely differs in the degree of intensity.
It is the backbone or central argument of the text which gives writing a sense of direction and
purpose.
Counterclaims are made to rebut a previous claim. To rebut means to contradict someone’s statement
through a formal argument. They provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument.
Counterclaim provides a conflicting angle to the main claim .
The counterclaim of the previous claim “Women are better than men” is “Men are better than women
(counterclaim) because females are more vulnerable or weak to incidences such as violence. (reasoning)
Be familiar with examples of claims and counterclaims.

What is an Evaluative Statement?

It is a statement that states one's sound judgement about something through writing which is supported by
reasons and evidences. It also presents the strengths and weaknesses of something based on a set of
criteria which needs to be factual, substantial, and unbiased.
How to Formulate an Evaluative Statement: (Read these and KEEP IN MIND)
To formulate an evaluative statement, one needs to read the entire text carefully and critically to understand
and to check for possible fallacies in the argument presented by the writer. Just like any other writing, the
formulation of the evaluative statements is done in the same way except that the statement is about your own
judgment of the text’s content and properties. You may formulate your evaluative statements in two ways
such as formulating assertions and counterclaims. Meanwhile, you will be formulating meaningful
counterclaims at the second part of this module. The question now is, how are you going to form evaluative
statements? It’s very
simple! Just remember the following pointers:
1. Begin with the positives before you point out the negatives. Remember that your evaluative statement
should be factual, substantial and unbiased. When giving your negative feedback, it should not sound
insulting on the part of the evaluatee (one who is evaluated).
2. Suggest a solution/s or suggestion/s on how to improve the written material being evaluated and provide
justification how these will work.
3. Keep your feedback concise and precise.
4. Be careful in giving your feedback. Since evaluations pass judgment onto works of authors, they must be
written and expressed with care and much diligence.

Assertions are declarative sentences that give one’s belief about something else as if it is true though
it may not be. It is expressed as an argument. Usually, these assertions contain languages that expresses
evaluation such as useful, significant, important, insightful, detailed, up-to-date, comprehensive, practical,
impressive, etc.
For example, you were asked to answer the question, “Do you believe education should continue regardless
of the situation we are facing right now?” and you would give your opinion or argument about it. Afterwards
you would make an assertion whether you agree or disagree with the issue, thus, take a stand and support it
with
your reason/s.
Textual evidence is defined as the details given by the author in order to support his/her claims. It reveals
the position of the writer and makes the reading more interesting. Evidence are details that strengthen, add
variety or weight to any argument.
There are different ways on how you can present textual evidence in your writings. It can be through:
1. paraphrasing or restating the text in your own words,
2. summarizing or stating in a shorter way the text and other relevant details to support the idea,
3. referencing or mentioning a specific section in the text, or
4. quoting or directly restating a part of the text (exact lines from the text or exact lines stated by someone).

There are four types of assertions which are classified according to the degree of certainty they can
be judged as true or false.
1. FACT- is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses,
verified observations, or the results of research.
Example:
According to experts, seawater contains high amounts of minerals such as sodium, chloride, sulphate,
magnesium and calcium.
(The first sample sentence is classified as a fact since the mineral contents of seawater can be tested and
proven through experiments and researches.)
2. CONVENTION- is a way in which something is done similar to traditions and norms. Its truthfulness can
be verified only by reference to historical precedents, laws, rules, usage, and customs. Something to note
about
conventions is that they may sound factual due to their being derived from customs, but because they are
socially accepted ways of doing things, they cannot be verified objectively by measurements.
Example:
Seawater is classified as a heterogenous and homogenous mixture.
(The second sample sentence is a convention because the classification of seawater is based on the
classification system made by scientists and is acceptable to the scientific community.)
3. OPINION- is a statement based on facts but is difficult to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of
producing satisfactory proofs of soundness. Opinions result from ambiguities; the more ambiguous a
statement, the more difficult it is to verify. Thus, they are open to disputes.
Example:
Swimming in seawater is the best activity to refresh and relax your mind, body, and soul.
(The third sample sentence is an opinion since the claim is difficult to prove.
The truthfulness of the claim may be true to some but not to others.)
4. PREFERENCE- states a personal choice in which the writer is under no obligation to support or prove the
truthfulness of the statement. They are subjective and cannot be objectively proven or logically attacked.
Example:
I love to make frequent trips to places with seawater rather than those without it.
(The last sample sentence is a preference because it expresses the personal choice of the writer to places
with seawater over those places without it.)

Book Review is a sneak peek of the content of the book that includes relevant description as well as its
overall perspective and purpose.
Take this general guideline: the length of the review depends upon the length of the book itself, and a
review should not be less than 100 words. Longer books usually ask for more than 500 words.
Literature review is a critical or analytical account of a finished research. It is an account of a selection of
writing relevant to your work or a summary of existing literature.
The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the review.
Research Report is a long, formal essay, usually five to fifteen pages in length, which presents the writer’s
views and findings on a chosen subject. However, it is not just a long composition which follows the
principles of good writing. It is a scholarly work and not just a collection of notes lifted from many different
sources and strung together, one after the other.
The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the research report.
A project proposal is a document that is written for problem solving, service provision, event planning, or
equipment selling. Generally, proposals are used to convince the reader to do what the proposal suggests,
such as buying goods or services, funding a project, or implementing a program.
Organizing the Data. A proposal becomes more effective if the information on it is clearly organized. You
can use the parts of the proposal to guide you in your organization or use an outline to structure your
discussion more effectively.
The position paper is a composition that highlights an opinion of an author or specified entity about an
issue. As a debate, it presents one side of an arguable opinion and persuades the readers or audience
that the author has a well-founded knowledge about the issue.
* A position statement can be based upon your opinion.
* You will need to choose a side when writing a position statement.
* You should always write a conclusion that sums up your position.

Resume originated from the French word résumé which means, “summary”. It is a concise document that
highlights your education, work experiences, and other qualifications such as your skills and
strengths. These are information or qualifications that your future employer might look for in the job that
you are applying for. A resume is usually an enclosure to an application or cover letter so it is
recommended that you prepare the resume first since the information that you include there will be
the basis of your letter.
You can improve your resume if you need to validate all the information you place in it, especially
data concerning your education and employment by means of updating the information needed in
the resume.
Career objectives is part of the résumé that reflects the applicant’s career goals and intention for applying
on the job.

College Admission Letter is also known as the "letter of intent". It is a brief discussion of your intention
to be admitted in a specific course in college.
Employment Application Letter is widely known as a "cover letter". It is used to introduce yourself to a
prospective employer. You write this to demonstrate your interest in the company, sell your services and
qualifications in written form, and show that you are fit for a job position. It is usually submitted with a
resume.

Non-fiction is where the author strives to be truthful and accurate in representing the facts as they
occurred.
Example: Myth, plays, novels, short stories, etc.
While in fiction, the author can create any story they wish, based on their imagination.
Example: History, Biography, etc.
Explicit Claim is clearly and directly stated in the text which means that you can easily point out the
information in the passage.
Implicit Claim is indirectly expressed but are being suggested or implied to be the meaning of the text.
Argument is a series of statements, reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that
an action or idea is right or wrong.
While inference means drawing a conclusion based on circumstantial evidence.
You’re almost at the end of this journey
GOOD LUCK and GOB BLESS.