{"id":800,"date":"2016-04-12T15:52:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T15:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level1-english\/?post_type=chapter&p=800"},"modified":"2018-10-06T16:53:48","modified_gmt":"2018-10-06T16:53:48","slug":"text-evaluating-information-with-critical-thinking","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level1-english-gen\/chapter\/text-evaluating-information-with-critical-thinking\/","title":{"raw":"Text: Evaluating Information With Critical Thinking","rendered":"Text: Evaluating Information With Critical Thinking"},"content":{"raw":"Evaluating information can be one of the most complex tasks you will be faced with in college. But if you utilize\u00a0the following four strategies, you will be well on your way to success:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Read for understanding by using text coding<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Examine arguments<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Clarify thinking<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Cultivate \u201chabits of mind\u201d\"Photo<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    1. Read for Understanding Using Text Coding<\/h2>\r\nWhen you read and take notes, use the text coding strategy<\/a>. Text coding is a way of\u00a0tracking your thinking while reading. It entails marking the text and recording what you are thinking either in the margins or perhaps on Post-it notes. As you make connections and ask questions in response to what you read,\u00a0\u00a0you monitor your comprehension and enhance your long-term understanding of the material.\r\n\r\nWith text coding, mark important arguments and key facts. Indicate where you agree and disagree or have further questions. You don\u2019t necessarily need to read every word, but make sure you understand the concepts or the intentions behind what is written. Feel free to develop your own shorthand style when reading or taking notes. The following are a few options to consider using while coding text.\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Shorthand<\/th>\r\nMeaning<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    !<\/td>\r\nImportant<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    L<\/td>\r\nLearned something new<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    !<\/td>\r\nBig idea surfaced<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    *<\/td>\r\nInteresting or important fact<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    ?<\/td>\r\nDig deeper<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    \u2713<\/td>\r\nAgree<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    \u2260<\/td>\r\nDisagree<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\nSee more text coding from PBWorks<\/a> and Collaborative for Teaching and Learning<\/a>.\r\n

    2. Examine Arguments<\/h2>\r\nWhen you examine arguments or claims that an author, speaker, or other source is making, your goal is to identify and examine the hard facts. You can use the spectrum of authority strategy<\/a> for this purpose. The spectrum of authority strategy assists you in identifying the \"hot\" end of an argument\u2014feelings, beliefs, cultural influences, and societal influences\u2014and the \"cold\" end of an argument\u2014scientific influences. The following video explains this strategy.\r\n\r\n