What is critical reading?
Critical reading is the kind of reading that does not settle for a shallow understanding of a text. It consists of reviewing the content and dictating the main ideas and the supportive and contradictory arguments concerning them. This way, we are not only able to remember facts, but to have a profound and sceptical grasp of the material. This is not, of course, a study method to use the day before a test, but will certainly be of great benefit for regular review and studying.
Identify the main ideas
When reading critically, the first thing is to recognize what parts of the article, the main points of an article. These are what the author intends to say. We might find them if we pause to ask ourselves What is the text trying to do? What is the main point the writer is trying to tell the reader?
Another way is to jot down sentence that capture the gist. You can also draw a schema an outline or a mind map in order to visually understand the relation between the ideas.
Analyze the author's arguments
When you detect the main points, verify them and write up the details and arguments made in the text. If you’re juggling deadlines or wondering if you should take my online exam services to lighten your load, it’s still crucial to stay sharp with critical thinking. Ask yourself how the author proves his or her assertion or what stereotype he or she utilizes toward his or her argument (does the author refer to studies and statistics, and other authors and tables, and of what type?.
There can be evidence, examples, or data from the author for us to search for (hint, bibliographies are always our friend). If the cogs in this wheel are plausible ones, the argument should seem plausible. If not that then there is something in the text that appears feeble and we need to address before we argue back.
Question the content
Critical reading helps us actively question the material we are reading, rather than passively accept it. This means considering whether or not we buy the ideas in the text, whether or not the arguments are sound, and if the conclusions are justified.
Some of the questions we might consider asking ourselves before our newsroom publishes a piece include: - Does the text reflect all legitimate points of view? Are there biases in the text? Are the findings supported by the results? This process of raising questions assists us in becoming critical thinkers and in developing a personal stance on an issue.
Identify possible contradictions
There may be contradicting or inconsistent information in many of (especially complicated) texts. Spotting them is a crucial part of critical reading.
For instance, the report may include data that doesn’t fit with the author’s conclusions or statements that conflict with other parts of the text. The possibility of detecting these inconsistencies enables us, on the one hand, to assess the quality of the material and solve the question of whether it is reliable; and, on the other hand, we may take advantage of them to do a good job or to improve our classroom into (something that is always good if we want to have good grades and success).
Relate the text to other knowledge
Reading actively need not be confined to the text itself. It also entails connecting content to other knowledge we already have. When we learn a common topic it is natural that ideas in one text connect to another as well as to material we have already covered in class, or indeed to other topics in the degree. As we develop the div connections and compare them to each other, our knowledge will increase and we will have broader and more meaningful insight.
For example, if we’re reading an article about economics, we can link it up to ideas from history or sociology that we’ve already learned about. That some of the islands sometimes come to seem like islands of knowledge is no reason to say that bridges cannot be built.
Active note-taking
The sense of taking active notes is crucial during critical reading. Not copying from the text, but summarizing the ideas; noting our thoughts, and the tone and meaning of the text; and jotting down the questions, if any, the text raises.
These notes are designed to act as a reference for the material in the future, and to be used in any discussions or debates on the matter.
Practice critical reading in a group
Critical reading need not be a solitary pursuit. Even when you're feeling overwhelmed and thinking, I still have to take my exam soon, discussing the text with friends can deepen our understanding and make us aware of new perspectives or connections we haven’t been able to piece together.
In these talks we impart our reading, argue against the author and dispel doubts together. This kind of cooperative work is what supports learning, energizes us and provides critical thinking and teamwork skills that are very important at the job market.
Apply critical reading in different contexts
Critical reading is not confined to scholarly texts. We can use it in other scenarios too, whether reading news or scientific articles, even fiction books. For each, the objective is the same: to provoke, dissect and ponder the material.
For instance, we’d be reading a news story and wonder if the author has a bias, if something is backed up by data, whether there are other perspectives not being examined, etc. The sheer volume of hoaxes, misinformation, lies and propaganda we read every day on our phones is immeasurable; the only response for the new generations is to learn to think critically and to have critical research skills.
It’s a learned skill; the more you practice, the better you get. The more we practice it the better we get at it and the easier it will be to effectively question the information with which we engage.