CRITICISM IN TURKISH TEXTBOOKS

The aim of the study was to investigate the texts in the sixth-grade Turkish textbook published by the Ministry of National Education Publishing House for the 2018-2019 academic year, which provide the basis for criticism. The data were collected through document analysis, which is a qualitative research method. The analysis results showed that the texts that provide the basis for criticism are subsumed under each theme. The elements that form the basis for criticism and seem to contribute to analytical thinking and expression were identified in the following components of the book: in the texts “This Is My Story”, “I Am Looking For”, and “My Dear Library” under the theme of Reading Culture and the activities of these texts; in the activity questions of the texts “Courage of the Turkish Soldier” and “July 15” and in a dialogue in the text “Old Granny” under the theme of the National Struggle and Atatürk; in the texts “Aziz Sancar”, “How Did People Use to Measure Time?”, and “Technology Addiction” under the theme of Science and Technology and the activities of these texts; throughout the text “Giving is Gaining” and in an activity of the text “Silver Wing” under the theme of Virtues; in the texts “What We Wonder”, “Afyon” and “Water Pollution” under the theme of Nature and the Universe and the activities of these texts; in the texts “Anatolia” and “the Story of Tarhana” under the theme of Our National Culture; in an activity of the texts “Time to Bicycle” and “10 Questions about Obesity” and in the text “Eating, Drinking and Digesting” and an activity of the text under the theme of Health and Sport; and in the texts “Yes Sir/Madam”, “Do a Favour” and “On Friendship” under the theme of Individual and Society and the activities of these texts. Keywords: Criticism, Turkish Textbooks, Analytical Thinking, Literature, Education.