Information read is understood through the language and context of the reader or listener. If an individual doesn't stop to consider the context of the writing, the original purpose or value is lost. The historical perspective, language and cultural tones of the writing or discussion provides insight into the overall attitude of the author.
Underlining, highlighting, note-taking or circling notable words and phrases in a piece of writing constitutes annotation. The use of annotation mimics an outline of the writing. The reader pulls out important information and writes down notes or questions that simplify the meaning. Mentally highlighting important facts when information is given verbally is considered annotation.
Readers or listeners commonly ignore unknown facts to keep a consistent flow of the reading or discussion. The misinterpretation of individual facts leads to a later misrepresentation of the overall meaning. The reader or listener asks questions to clarify facts.
If someone told you that most rabbits are really pink, you wouldn't hesitate to call that person a liar. If someone told you that 400,000 people in China died last year from a smoking-related causes, would you believe them? Argument consideration involves the process of researching information before believing it's true. All arguments should offer a specific claim with supportive evidence to convince others. The listener or reader compares the claim with the evidence to ensure consistency and truth.
Reflection involves the process of considering personal beliefs and understanding against the beliefs and information given. If an individual reads about life during early immigration to North America, the reader may reflect on the scenery, clothing, food, attitudes, health or inspiration of the characters. The context of the writing and lives of the people differ from the reader's personal experiences.
Synthesizing information allows the reader to mentally or physically create an outline or new understanding of the information given through the annotation of the facts. A reader takes the full piece and summarizes the main points. A listener mentally grasps the important information out of a conversation for simplicity. The process of taking information and creating a new refined version involves critical thinking.
A theory of critical thinking emerged in the 1950's by Benjamin Bloom. Bloom's Taxonomy of intellectual behavior consists of six stages the learner uses to evaluate information. The six stages that build on each other in succession include remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating.