It is important to understand the basic structure and content of the text you are reading.
<ul>
<li>Consider the purpose for reading, like gathering information.</li>
<li>Think about the title. What does it tell you about what the book or essay is about?</li>
<li>Reflect on what you already know about the topic. Do you have a preconceived idea of what to expect?</li>
<li>Skim the opening sentence of each paragraph under the headings.</li>
<li>Read carefully, marking the places you find confusing or significant.</li>
<li>Identify key arguments the author makes, along with important terms and interesting ideas.</li>
<li>Make notes in the margin or on a separate sheet of paper.</li>
<li>Question the sources cited by the author.</li>
<li>What is the one question you would like to ask the author?</li>
<li>What did you like best about the work as a whole? What bothered you?</li>
</ul>

Steps to becoming a critical reader

<ul>
<li>Reading critically can aid you when studying for a test, preparing for a discussion, and more.</li>
<li>If you have unanswered questions about the text, ask your professor or discuss the text with others.</li>
<li>Consider keeping a reading log to help you track your perceptions about reading.</li>
</ul>

Reading critically and preparing for exams

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Updated March 22, 2019
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Whether you are reading for pleasure or for school, it's important to understand basic structural and content elements about the text you are <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/study-tips-the-geeks-use-3211508" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">studying</a>. These questions and idea generators should help you to become a more critical reader. Understand and retain what you read!&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr"> Steps to Becoming a Critical Reader </h2><OL><LI>Determine your purpose for reading. Are you gathering information for a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-an-essay-p2-1209096" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">writing assignment</a>? Are you determining whether a source will be useful for your paper? Are you preparing for a class discussion?</LI><LI>Consider the title. What does it tell you about what the book, essay, or ​<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-classical-literature-739321" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">literary work</a> is about?</LI><LI>Think about what you already know about the topic of the book, essay, or play. Do you already have preconceived notions of what to expect? What are you expecting? Do you hope to learn something, enjoy yourself, be bored?</LI><LI>Look at how the text is structured. Are there subdivisions, chapters, books, acts, scenes? Read over the titles of the chapters or sections? What do the headings tell you?</LI><LI>Skim the opening sentence of each paragraph (or lines) under the headings. Do these first words of the sections give you any hints?</LI><LI>Read carefully, marking or highlighting places that are confusing (or so wonderful that you want to re-read). Be careful to keep a dictionary close at hand. Looking up a word can be an excellent way to enlighten your reading.</LI><LI>Identify key issues or arguments the author/writer makes, along with important terms, recurring images and interesting ideas.</LI><LI>You may want to make notes in the margin, highlight those points, take notes on a separate sheet of paper or notecard, etc.</LI><LI>Question the sources that the author/writer might have used: personal experience, research, imagination, popular culture of the time, historical study, etc.</LI><LI>Did the author effectively use these sources to develop a believable work of literature?</LI><LI>What is one question you would like to ask the author/writer?</LI><LI>Think about the work as a whole. What did you like best about it? What puzzled, confused, angered, or irritated you?</LI><LI>Did you get what you expected out of the work, or were you disappointed?</LI></OL><h2 dir="ltr"> Additional Tips </h2><OL><LI>The process of reading critically can help you with many literary and academic situations, including studying for a test, preparing for a discussion, and more.</LI><LI>If you have questions about the text, be sure to ask your professor; or discuss the text with others.</LI><LI>Consider <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-keep-a-reading-log-or-book-journal-739793" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">keeping a reading log</a> to help you to track your perceptions about reading.</LI></OL>

These concepts and tips will help you become a more critical reader, whether you are reading for school or for pleasure.

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Whether you are reading for pleasure or for school, it's important to understand basic structural and content elements about the text you are <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/study-tips-the-geeks-use-3211508">studying </a>. These questions and idea generators should help you to become a more critical reader. Understand and retain what you read!

<ol><li>Determine your purpose for reading. Are you gathering information for a <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-an-essay-p2-1209096">writing assignment </a>? Are you determining whether a source will be useful for your paper? Are you preparing for a class discussion? </li><li>Consider the title. What does it tell you about what the book, essay, or ​<a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-classical-literature-739321">literary work </a>is about? </li><li>Think about what you already know about the topic of the book, essay, or play. Do you already have preconceived notions of what to expect? What are you expecting? Do you hope to learn something, enjoy yourself, be bored? </li><li>Look at how the text is structured. Are there subdivisions, chapters, books, acts, scenes? Read over the titles of the chapters or sections? What do the headings tell you? </li><li>Skim the opening sentence of each paragraph (or lines) under the headings. Do these first words of the sections give you any hints? </li><li>Read carefully, marking or highlighting places that are confusing (or so wonderful that you want to re-read). Be careful to keep a dictionary close at hand. Looking up a word can be an excellent way to enlighten your reading. </li><li>Identify key issues or arguments the author/writer makes, along with important terms, recurring images and interesting ideas. </li><li>You may want to make notes in the margin, highlight those points, take notes on a separate sheet of paper or notecard, etc. </li><li>Question the sources that the author/writer might have used: personal experience, research, imagination, popular culture of the time, historical study, etc. </li><li>Did the author effectively use these sources to develop a believable work of literature? </li><li>What is one question you would like to ask the author/writer? </li><li>Think about the work as a whole. What did you like best about it? What puzzled, confused, angered, or irritated you? </li><li>Did you get what you expected out of the work, or were you disappointed? </li> </ol>

<ol><li>The process of reading critically can help you with many literary and academic situations, including studying for a test, preparing for a discussion, and more. </li><li>If you have questions about the text, be sure to ask your professor; or discuss the text with others. </li><li>Consider <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-keep-a-reading-log-or-book-journal-739793">keeping a reading log </a>to help you to track your perceptions about reading. </li> </ol>

Become a Critical Reading Pro With These Tips

Steps to becoming a critical reader

Reading critically and preparing for exams

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