Thinking Crtically

Whenever I read a text there are two main tactics I use in order comprehend the text to its fullest. The first thing I do when I start reading text in a book is reread every sentence. This technique helps me take in what the text is trying to convey. Otherwise, I might miss something that it is trying to say. To me, this way of reading is considered critical reading and thinking. Secondly, I will often times summarize what I read next to the text, and try to pinpoint exactly what the text’s main point was. In addition, by critically observing the text in this manner I am almost looking beyond what the text is trying to convey to me, and creating my own meaning, for writing is subjective.

This critical way of reading and thinking is helpful in many aspects of my life, and you guessed it, especially in academics. It gives me an opportunity to truly understand the text I am learning for a course to the fullest degree, which in turn helps me succeed in the course. Additionally, when it comes to my writing in academics I am very critical. I review my essays at least five times before I submit them. Despite the fact that I wrote the material, there is always room for improvement, whether it is the way something is worded, or if grammar and punctuation are off, or if I just want to make sure I am not being redundant. There is always, always, always, room for improvement, and in order to make those adjustments I have to critically analyze my own work, which at times can be difficult, seeing as how I did create it. However, if I take a step back from the written piece for at least a day, I am able to look at my work from another perspective, and find errors that I might have skipped over. Many times writers have this problem after writing a piece, they are so fixated on what they are trying to get across that they completely skim over minute errors, and sometimes even big mistakes; and that is why it is best to take a step back.

Not only does critical thinking help me prosper in school, but it also helps in my everyday life, such as my job at Subway. I am better able to understand what my boss wants from me by critically thinking about things he tells me. By reviewing what he tells me I am better able to adjust to whatever is expected of me on the job, thus my job performance is on a high level.

Finally, in my other job, as a writing tutor at Antelope Valley College, I find my critical thinking skills to be particularly helpful. While working there I have found that my critical analysis skills give me the ability to spot out chronic problems in my tutee’s written work, such as the incorrect usage of tenses. From there I am able to help them correct their continuous problem(s), which is usually done by providing a handout and explaining the context. Also, with my ability to critically read I am able to help my tutees brainstorm new possible ideas for their work. This is due to the fact that by reading their work critically I am able to pinpoint the direction they want to take their work in.

Hopefully, by the end of English 103 my critical reading, writing, and thinking skills will improve tenfold, which will only help me academically and professionally in the future. This is a critical reading, writing, and thinking course, thus I can only see it improving my skills. As they say, practice makes perfect.