CRITICAL READING

- type of reading that

goes beyond passively
understanding a text
 - when you process the
author’s words and
make judgments after
carefully considering
the reading’s message
 Evaluate claims
 Seek definitions
 Judge information
 Demand proof
 Question
assumptions
Techniques to help
you develop critical
reading skills:
1. Keeping a reading
journal
- writing your feelings
and ideas in reaction to
your reading assignment
2. Annotating the text
- making notes on
your copy of reading
 (highlighting or under-
lining important
passages, writing notes,
comments, questions,
and reactions on the
margins)
3. Outlining the text
 - locating thesis
statement, claims, and
evidence, and then
plotting these into
outline
4. Summarizing the text
 - get the gist
- getting the main
points of the essay and
important supporting
details
5. Questioning the text
 - asking specific
questions on points
that you are skeptical
about