Steps to becoming a critical reader

It is important to understand the basic structure and content of the text you are reading.

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