Chapter four

Chapter Four: Reading Critically

            The fourth chapter of the Bedford Researcher indicates the six key questions regarding critical reading.

            Critical reading of the sources is about questioning what is being said and looking for the real meaning and reasoning. This differs from evaluation as evaluation is about making a determination about how reliable a source is and how useful it is to the writer.

            Having a good research question is useful in critical reading because it helps question what is being said and whether or not the writer agrees with it. It also helps you develop a position statement. The position is an answer to the research question.

            The positions statement is the foundation to developing the thesis statement and is also helpful to the writer in reading critically as a guide. Again, it helps the writer decide if they agree or disagree with the source and what can be learned from the source.

            Reading with attitude implies accepting nothing at “face value” rather engage in asking questions, look for similarities and differences in the sources read and examine the reasoning and how it relates to the research project. It is important to be flexible to information encountered and how it is engaged in the conversation.

            Active reading strategies includes indentifying key information, ideas or arguments, write questions in the margins, jot down reactions to information, record quotations, take notes about how the information could be used, indentify important passages for reading later and other strategies. This is accomplished by marking a source, annotating a source and taking notes.

            The writer should pay attention to the following as he/she reads; identify the type of source, identify primary and secondary sources, identify main points, indentify reasons, consider the use of evidence and identify interpretive frameworks.

            Critical reading indicates reading a source three times. Skim the source the first time to get the general idea. Actively read during the second reading marking and annotating relevant passages. Lastly read a third time making note of the main points, promising or difficult passages.