The reading comprehension strategy "evaluating" involves forming opinions, making judgments, and developing ideas based on the text read, both during and after the reading process.
Evaluating as a reading strategy is a higher-order thinking skill that goes beyond simply understanding the literal meaning of the text. It requires the reader to actively engage with the material, analyze its content, and formulate their own perspective. This might involve:
- Forming opinions: Deciding whether you agree or disagree with the author's viewpoint.
- Making judgments: Assessing the quality of the writing, the validity of the arguments, or the reliability of the information.
- Developing ideas: Expanding on the text's ideas, drawing inferences, and connecting the material to your own experiences and knowledge.
Why is Evaluating Important?
Evaluating is crucial for:
- Critical Thinking: It helps readers think critically about what they read and avoid passively accepting information.
- Deeper Understanding: It leads to a more profound and meaningful understanding of the text.
- Engagement: It keeps readers actively involved in the reading process.
- Application of Knowledge: It enables readers to apply what they've learned to new situations and contexts.
In essence, evaluating transforms a reader from a passive recipient of information into an active and engaged thinker who can critically analyze and synthesize the content they encounter.
