Reading Critically

It is important to read critically. Critical reading requires you to evaluate the arguments in the text.it
would help distinguish fact from opinion and look at statements given for end against the various
claims.it also means being aware of your opinions and assumptions (negative& positive) of the text
you are reading to evaluate it honestly.it is also essential to mindful of the writers’ backgrounds
assumptions and purposes.

Critical reading often involves asking questions about the reading.in particular, you are examining the
strengths and weaknesses of the readings’ arguments. than you need to consider that:

 The reading’s background

 Its purpose and overall conclusion (claim)
 The evidence used in the reading
 The logical connections between the claim and the evidence
 The reading’s balance
 Its limitations
 How it relates to other sources and research

Background:

Before you consider the argument of a reading, you should build up a backgrounds picture of
the reading.

Who is the Author?

While you cannot evaluate an argument based solely on the author’s qualifications, their background
and so on..

What type of source is this:

As with the author, the type of reading can give you an idea of potential bias and the quality of the
information.

Periodical articles:

Is this from a scholarly journal, a magazine, or a newspaper?

Books:

Is this from an academic publisher or a commercial publisher?

Websites:

Is the publishing organisation identified?

Purpose:

Getting the big picture of the reading is essential so that you can see how all the pieces fit together.

Benefits:

 Remembering more what you read.

 Improvement
 Mental development
 Better understanding of the text
  Better logical problems solving skills

Step by step critical reading:

There are following steps that you have to follow:

 Analyse every word

 Understand every word
 Practical
 Make notes
 Read normally
 Read again, more carefully
 Draw your conclusion