Issues and Perspectives in Critical Reading Instruction of Expository Text : The concept of 'critical' frameworks

This paper discusses various perspectives on the issue of critical reading instruction of expository text, examining six representative instruction theories. I construct the concept of “critical” frameworks by classifying critical thinking and critical education in a discussion of instruction theories. This framework is constructed by three components: the goal of critical reading; the target of critical reading; the content of teaching. In this framework, the goals of critical reading are “analytical” or “innovative”. The target of critical reading has four elements; argument, figure of speech, background, and ideology. The content of teaching has two elements; “reason” and “reflection”. Examination of six instruction theories revealed three types; (a) analytical and reasonable instruction, (b) analytical instruction involving reflection, and (c) innovative and reflective instruction. Type (a) is considered problematic in previous critical thinking research. Type (b) addresses the problems of type (a). In addition, type (c) incorporates social connectivity. Thus, I propose that it would be valuable for perspectives of critical reading instruction of expository text to further develop type (b) and type (c).