Analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions.

1. Reading – Objective: Analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions 📚

What is Reading in the IGCSE?

Reading isn’t just about skimming words. It’s like being a detective 🕵️‍♂️ who looks for clues, a scientist who tests hypotheses, and a storyteller who creates meaning. In the IGCSE you’ll be asked to:

  • Identify facts (what the author says is true) and opinions (what the author thinks).
  • Analyse how the author builds an argument or narrative.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s choices.
  • Develop your own informed response.

Key Reading Skills

Skill What It Means Practice Tip
Skimming & Scanning Quickly find main ideas or specific details. Set a timer (1 min) and highlight key words.
Identifying Rhetorical Devices Recognise metaphors, similes, repetition, etc. Create a “device bingo” card.
Evaluating Credibility Check author’s background, source, evidence. Ask “Who wrote this? Why? What evidence is given?”
Constructing an Argument Build a logical flow of points and evidence. Outline with “Claim – Evidence – Reasoning”.

Analysing Text – The Detective Analogy 🧐

Imagine the text is a crime scene. Your job is to:

  1. Collect evidence: Highlight quotes, statistics, or vivid descriptions.
  2. Identify suspects: Who is the author? Who are the characters? What are their motives?
  3. Reconstruct the timeline: How does the narrative progress? What are the turning points?
  4. Interpret motives: Why did the author choose this structure? What message is hidden?

Evaluating Arguments – The Scientist’s Lens 🔬

Think of an argument as a hypothesis. To evaluate it:

  • Check the evidence – Are facts cited? Are sources reliable?
  • Assess the logic – Does the conclusion follow from the premises?
  • Look for bias – Is the author presenting a balanced view?
  • Consider the impact – How does the argument affect the reader?

Developing Your Own Opinion – The Storyteller’s Voice 🎤

After analysing and evaluating, you’re ready to add your own voice:

  1. State your stance: Clearly say whether you agree, disagree, or have a nuanced view.
  2. Support with evidence: Use quotes from the text or your own knowledge.
  3. Show critical thinking: Acknowledge counter‑arguments and explain why you still hold your view.
  4. Conclude with impact: End with a thought‑provoking statement or question.

Exam Tips – Quick‑Fire Checklist 🚀

Before the exam:

  • Read the instructions carefully – they often hint at the required skill.
  • Skim the passage first (1–2 minutes) to get the gist.
  • Mark key words and phrases with a highlighter or underline.

During the exam:

  • Answer the questions in the order they appear.
  • Use quotation marks to show you’re quoting the text.
  • Keep your answers concise but fully developed.

After the exam:

  • Check that you’ve answered every part of the question.
  • Proofread for spelling, punctuation, and clarity.

Practice Exercise – Mini‑Essay Prompt ✍️

Read the following excerpt (you can find it in your textbook) and write a 150‑word response:

“The rapid spread of social media has transformed how we communicate, but it has also raised concerns about privacy, mental health, and the authenticity of information.” – Journal of Modern Communication

Use the skills above to:

  1. Identify the main claim.
  2. Analyse the evidence provided.
  3. Evaluate the argument’s strengths and weaknesses.
  4. State your own opinion with supporting points.

Revision

Log in to practice.

0 views 0 suggestions