Tips for Critical Reading (Part 2)
by McKenzie Brummond
In a previous blog post (Tips for Critical Reading Part 1) we shared five tips on how to read texts critically and effectively. Today we’re adding to that list, plus giving you 10 questions that you should ask as a critical reader. Read tips 6 through 10 below!
6. Annotate. Whether or not you want to take notes depends on your goals and your learning style. Some people may like to highlight key words and ideas in the text. Others may want to take detailed notes in a journal as they read. Whatever method helps you to retain the information is best!
7. Determine the main idea and purpose. We often forget that the main idea and purpose of a source are two different things. The main idea is a summary of the main point of the source, whereas the purpose is the author’s goal. E.g. The main idea of an argument may be that pineapple does not belong on pizza, but the author’s purpose would be to persuade the reader to share this opinion.
8. Consult dissenting opinions. I love to post dissenting resources on this site, because it is evidence that even educated, qualified, and peer-reviewed authors can still come to different conclusions about the same issue. Reading compelling arguments for the opposing view can broaden your perspective and help you to become a more critical reader.
9. Read the bibliography. Reading the bibliography serves two purposes: First, it allows you as the reader to evaluate the credibility of the author’s source material. Second, the bibliography can be a fruitful place to find further reading on the subject at hand.
10. Self-evaluate. To read critically, one cannot grow complacent. Continue to ask yourself, am I taking this author’s arguments at face value? How are her biases influencing her argument? How are my biases influencing my interpretation? Like any new skill, critical reading requires diligent practice.
10 Questions Critical Readers Should Ask
1. Is this source relevant to my research questions?
2. What are the key ideas presented in this source? Are there any terms I need to look up?
3. Is this author qualified to write about this subject? What biases does the author(s) have that might influence their position?
4. What biases am I bringing to the text that might influence my interpretation?
5. Is this source peer reviewed?
6. What is the source trying to say?
7. What is the purpose of this source? What is the author’s goal?
8. Are there dissenting opinions on this subject? What are the opposing arguments?
9. Does this source cite other sources in its bibliography? Are these sources reliable?
10. What do I think about this question? Has the source answered my question(s)? Has the source given me a new perspective?
McKenzie Brummond earned her Master of Religion degree from Yale University and holds a Bachelor degree of Liberal Arts from Notre Dame. Interested in music and theological principles, McKenzie spends her time contemplating the intersection of musical worship and theological study.