Critical Reading

Critical reading is being active with your reading by examining it closely. By being active in your reading, the reader will jot down notes, formulate questions, and use critical thinking skills.

While critically reading, ask yourself:

What does the author want me to take away from the text?
What is the author's point of view? Could there be any bias?
Does this text relate to any other texts I've read? How?
Does this text contradict any other texts I've read? How?
If I could add to the text, what would I add? What is missing?
Is the author credible? What are their credentials?
Does the evidence make sense? How?

5 ways to become a critical reader

1. Understand the author.

To understand the author, it’s important to understand the purpose as to why the author is writing the text. Are they trying to prove something? Have they studied the field for many years? What are their credentials? It’s also important to understand why an author may bold certain words in their text. A bold word or phrase is most likely important to take note of while reading.

2. Be open-minded.

Reading a text with an open-mind will allow you to think more critically about the author’s reasoning. If you approach with a closed-mind, it’s more likely you will disagree with everything the author is saying (especially if it’s an opposition to your argumentative paper). It’s always important to reflect on multiple points of view.

3. Take your time with reading.

When critically reading, it’s important to take things slow. This not only allows for reflection time but also allows time to grasp important concepts that are mentioned. With a clear mind, you’ll be able to critically analyze and interpret the text.

4. Look up words you don’t know.

Looking up words in a dictionary that you are unsure of can help you gauge a deeper understanding of the text. Words used by the author more than often have an important connection to the topic of the work.

5. Take notes.

Taking notes can happen in a variety of ways. If you are taking notes on a physical copy, you can bookmark pages or write in the margins of the text. If you are working online, you can use a highlight feature or create a document that holds all of your notes. Your notes should be in your own words; this will be helpful for if you are required to write an essay regarding what you’ve read. Organize your notes by theme or topic to help keep track.

Taking notes in the margin may include:

Writing down questions you still have
Writing down definitions
Writing down clarifications
Making note of important points
Labeling key items

Use your margin notes to create a 1-2 paragraph summary of what you just read. This will help you understand the text and note the parts that are most significant to your study.