Critical reading

In reading an academic text, you need to develop a personal, yet academic and rational response to the text through:

• developing an understanding of the content, and

• evaluating and critiquing the text

Reading critically involves:

• Before reading

  Be clear why you are reading the text:

  • How is it relevant?
  • Who is the writer? What do you know about him/her?
  • What is the topic? What do you know about it?
  • Who is it written for?
  • Why do you think the text was written?

• While reading

  Take an active stance – ask questions and relate the text to your own experience and other readings:

  • How is the material presented?
  • Whose point of view is presented?
  • Who are the main actors in the text?
  • How are they presented?
  • Is a particular bias or framework present?
  • Is evidence/argument presented convincingly?
  • Is the language emotive or logical?
  • Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why?
  • How does this text compare with others you have read on the topic?
  • Does it refer to those texts?

• After reading

  Go through your notes – highlight the main ideas and add new ideas as they occur:

  • What is the main idea of the text?
  • What are the secondary or supporting ideas in the text?
  • How does the text relate to your subject/assignment?
  • What are the wider implications for you? For the discipline?
  • What other ways are there of writing about this topic?
  • What other perspectives could you take on this topic?

Adapted from the following source:
Forman, R. n.d., Note-making and critical thinking, UTS: ELSSA Centre, Sydney.