ch.4 critical reading for college and beyond

ch.4 inferences

Inferences.

This chapter offers a new look at inferences, their hazard, and complexities. We might conclude that giving more conscious attention to inferences, both our own and those of others, will result in more skillful thinking. From this chapter I understood how observation helps determine facts, and how a generalization ties all this information together into a meaningful whole.

chapter 2 Developing Your College Vocabulary

Vocabulary.

Vocabulary building is one of the most important reading strategies you can learn. By increasing your vocabulary, you increase your understanding of textbook information. You also increase your ability to speak and write well – to communicate effectively. A rich vocabulary allows you access to many types of reading material, while a limited one prevents you from fully understanding what you read. Increasing your word power not only enhances your academic ability but also increases your chances of getting the job of your choice when you graduate. 

chapter 1 Reading in College

Reading.

Reading is an active process based on an author’s ability to convey meaning through the written word and your ability to extract meaning from those words. One way to read actively is to connect what you already know to the new information you are learning. Active learners become involved in their learning experience by previewing their reading assignments, outlining chapter or lecture notes, creating visuals, and reading books, other than their textbooks, to learn more about the subject they are studying.

chapter 2 Word Precision

 Word Precision.

An accurate use of words improves our thinking. Words give form to our thoughts so that we can make use of them. Words enable us to communicate with others and ourselves. Knowing the words for things and experiences helps us see and perceive more.

Clear thinking depends on a clear understanding of the words we use. We need to understand what dictionaries can and cannot offer us; we need to use them skillfully and frequently. Dictionary definitions show us the agreements that society has made about a word’s meaning. But we may also compose our own personal or stipulative definitions of experiences or compose persuasive definitions to sway the opinions of others. 

chapter 1 Observation Skills

 Observation skills.

To observe means to hold something in front of us.

Ob (Latin prefix) =in front of

Servare (Latin) =to keep, hold, watch, pay attention.

The word observe is one that we hear and use every day. Therefore you might wonder why it needs defining at all. When we take in data without preconceptions we are sensing; when we focus on particular sensations and categorize them according to our memory system, we are perceiving; and when we draw conclusions about their patterns and meaning, we are thinking.

Sensing occurs through sense organs such as the eyes and skin. When our sense organs become activated by stimuli they send this information through the nervous system to the brain. When we sense something, we feel it. As we sense, we may not yet have the words to identify or explain what is happening, because in order to find words, we have to think.

In everyday speech, the word perceiving is often used loosely as a synonym for sensing, although there are distinct differences. Perception is both passive and active; it holds sensations in consciousness long enough to interpret them. This holding allows the time needed to find patterns, to organize, and to interpret the sensations. Perception helps us move through the physical world, detect dimensions.

Philosopher Alan Watts uses the etymology of the word to show us how the earlier peoples explained thinking. The root word thong tells us that thinking is used to make “things” of nature and of events. A psychologist, Jean Piaget, defined    thinking as “an active process whereby people organize their perceptions of the world.” Both these definitions explain thinking in terms of what people do with their perceptions.

Facts.

Facts are more complicated than most of us think. For one thing, they are commonly confused with inferences. For another, it takes a lot of skill to assure their reability.Finally, facts are not synonymous with truth.
One characteristic of facts is that they can be objectively verified - proven to be true - through the testimony of witnesses, through observations, or through records or documentation.