ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension focuses on developing critical reading skills through diverse texts and comprehension strategies.

Understanding Main Ideas and DetailsMaking Inferences and Drawing ConclusionsUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Analyzing Author’s Purpose and ToneIdentifying Organizational StructureEvaluating Arguments and Evidence
Applying Critical Reading to Everyday LifeEffective Note-Taking for ReadingReading for Research and Projects
Previewing the PassageProcess of Elimination
Understanding Main I...Making Inferences an...Understanding Vocabu...Analyzing Author’s P...Identifying Organiza...Evaluating Arguments...Applying Critical Re...Effective Note-Takin...Reading for Research...Previewing the Passa...Process of Eliminati...
Advanced Topics

Evaluating Arguments and Evidence

What Makes a Good Argument?

Authors often make points and back them up with evidence. Evaluating arguments means deciding if they are strong or weak based on the support given.

Types of Evidence

  • Facts: Information that can be proven true.
  • Examples: Specific cases that show the point.
  • Statistics: Numbers that support the idea.
  • Expert Opinions: What experts say about the topic.

How to Evaluate

  • Ask, “Does the evidence really support the point?”
  • Look for missing information or weak examples.
  • Decide if the argument is convincing.

Why This Skill Is Important

Being able to tell good arguments from bad ones helps you become a smarter reader and thinker.

Examples

  • A passage claims exercise is healthy and supports it with studies and facts.

  • An argument about video games only shares opinions and no facts, making it weak.

In a Nutshell

Judge whether an author’s points are strong and supported by good evidence.

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Applying Critical Reading to Everyday Life