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Critical Reading Tips

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DaRk ThK
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18 views3 pages

Critical Reading Tips

Uploaded by

DaRk ThK
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reading with purpose

Pre reading

- read the assignment description/rubric and note down what information you
need from the article
- look at tips from the forums and your instructor
- read the title and subtitles/section headings/first sentence of each section or
paragraph to get an idea of what is covered in that section
- read the abstract if one is present
- read the introduction and conclusion (hint: the author’s main ideas - their
conclusions - are usually in the conclusion of an article!)
- plan what other sections of a work you need to read - do you need to read the
entire thing? the findings section only? the methodology? certain chapters of
a book?

First reading

- skim read to get the general ‘gist’ of the paper


- mark places to return to - notes in the margins, symbols, different colours
- note down questions you have during/after this first read
- keep a dictionary handy to look up any words you don’t know (often terms are
used different in academic writing than in everyday language so it never hurts
to look things up just to be sure you understand)

Second reading

- a more thorough reading focusing on the areas you’ve identified in your first
reading - mark paces to return to - related to: author’s key arguments, what’s
needed for your assignment, etc.
- use different colours to mark different aspects
- make notes of key points or any questions you have in margins

Third reading

- “drill down” - focus on what you need from the article


- make sure you understand the key arguments of the article
- begin to develop your critical analysis of these arguments - reflect on the
paper, connect to your own knowledge and other literature, do research to
see if there is further information on the article/topic
- this reading is about reflecting and analyzing rather than just re-reading to
take in information
Consider your process - ideas include:

- print out a hardcopy - annotate with pencil, multi colour pens/highlighters,


sticky notes
- several apps can do the same digitally - can also allow you to add keyword
tags, link between documents, export notes, etc.
- write notes for each article - transcribe your margin notes, track your thoughts
as reading, etc.
- create a mind map or sketchnote

Making time:

- set aside time for reading - make sure to schedule time for re-reading as well -
remember that reading will take longer at first but will become easier with time
- use time wisely - see ‘reading with purpose’ above
- block out distractions (quiet space, noise cancelling headphones)
- recognize when it’s not a good time (tired, stressed, sick, etc) - respect your
limitations
- take breaks, time to destress - come back to it with fresh eyes

Other tips

- make sure you are reading critically - critical doesn’t just mean criticizing -
think about your own interpretations, connections to other material, questions
you have, your reflections and responses
- think about your preferred ways to take in and process information - the idea
of everyone having a certain ‘learning style’ has been thoroughly debunked,
but we often do gravitate towards certain ways of taking in information based
on preferences, time or media available, etc.
- consider using audio formats - text to speech apps, recording yourself
reading, etc. - this can also be helpful for writing (speech to text apps) as
people often find it less daunting to get their thoughts out in words than to put
them down on paper
- look into specific strategies - Eisenhower matrix, SQ4R, KWL, Pomodor
technique (time management)
- the Write Here, Write Now text has helpful information on critical reading

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