We often forget that our interpretation of a text is influenced by our preexisting beliefs, knowledge and expectations.

Interpreting a text doesn't happen out of context. The concept of the hermeneutic circle is to understand the whole by seeing how the parts interact with each other, and how they interact with the whole.

When practising critical reading, it is crucial to be aware of the context of the text.

To allow for the hermeneutic circle to be effective, re-read the text a few times or at least read the parts that are most interesting to you.