Critical ReadingCritical Reading

Brought to you by Ryerson’s Learning Success Centre and Jessica Barr

What is Critical Reading?What is Critical Reading?

► Critical Readers:Critical Readers:

EvaluateEvaluate what they read in terms of the what they read in terms of the accuracyaccuracy and and credibilitycredibility of the content. of the content.

EngageEngage actively in the process of reading to actively in the process of reading to improve improve comprehensioncomprehension and and retentionretention. .

Why is it Important?Why is it Important?

► Improves your Improves your judgmentjudgment of sources of sources

► Improves your Improves your credibilitycredibility

► Improves your Improves your researchresearch skills skills

► Improves your Improves your comprehensioncomprehension

► Improves your Improves your retentionretention

How do I do it?How do I do it?

►Step 1: Set aside your own biases Step 1: Set aside your own biases

►Step 2: Carefully select the sources you Step 2: Carefully select the sources you readread

►Step 3: Carefully evaluate the contentStep 3: Carefully evaluate the content

►Step 4: Use an effective reading processStep 4: Use an effective reading process

Step 1: Setting Aside BiasesStep 1: Setting Aside Biases

►What is a bias?What is a bias?

► A bias is a flaw in reasoning that causes errors A bias is a flaw in reasoning that causes errors of judgment. To read effectively at the post-of judgment. To read effectively at the post-secondary level, one must strive to eliminate secondary level, one must strive to eliminate errors of judgment. Therefore, one must strive errors of judgment. Therefore, one must strive to remove the biases that cause them.to remove the biases that cause them.

► The first step is to identify what biases we The first step is to identify what biases we may have and only then can we strive to may have and only then can we strive to remove them. remove them.

Types of BiasTypes of Bias

What does the critical reader do?What does the critical reader do?

Seeks evidence that Seeks evidence that conflictsconflicts with her/his judgment. with her/his judgment.

Avoids hastily equating information with evidence Avoids hastily equating information with evidence and seeks alternative viewpoints.and seeks alternative viewpoints.

Sifts through the “noise” to focus on only the Sifts through the “noise” to focus on only the relevant information that can be used.relevant information that can be used.

Favours cold hard facts over subjective accounts.Favours cold hard facts over subjective accounts.

Types of BiasTypes of Bias

There are many biases. Your job, as critical There are many biases. Your job, as critical readers, is to do the following:readers, is to do the following:

► Be aware of the importance of biasBe aware of the importance of bias► Identify your own biasesIdentify your own biases► Understand how biases create errors in Understand how biases create errors in

thoughtthought► Work hard to suppress your biases as you readWork hard to suppress your biases as you read

Step 2: Selecting SourcesStep 2: Selecting Sources

► Ask these questions when selecting a Ask these questions when selecting a source. If the answer is ever “No”, then source. If the answer is ever “No”, then exercise caution:exercise caution:

Is the author known? Trustworthy?Is the author known? Trustworthy? Does the author have relevant qualifications?Does the author have relevant qualifications? Is the publisher known, reputable?Is the publisher known, reputable? Is it in an academic journal? Peer reviewed?Is it in an academic journal? Peer reviewed? It is current?It is current? Is there a motive involved? (e.g. selling something)Is there a motive involved? (e.g. selling something)

Selecting SourcesSelecting Sources► The best way to be confident in the sources you The best way to be confident in the sources you

choose to read is to consult with the librarian or use choose to read is to consult with the librarian or use the library databases to search for sources. the library databases to search for sources. Professors and T.A.s can also help! Professors and T.A.s can also help!

► For other sources, such as general internet sources, For other sources, such as general internet sources, you will have to do your own evaluation. Your you will have to do your own evaluation. Your checklist should include:checklist should include:

Are the author's qualifications, such as education, occupation Are the author's qualifications, such as education, occupation or position listed?or position listed?

Does the publication include a reference list or bibliography Does the publication include a reference list or bibliography showing that the author has researched the topic?showing that the author has researched the topic?

If the author is a group, educational institution or government If the author is a group, educational institution or government body, is it known to be knowledgeable about the subject? body, is it known to be knowledgeable about the subject?

Based on the date of publication, will the facts or opinions Based on the date of publication, will the facts or opinions given in this publication be outdated for your purposes?given in this publication be outdated for your purposes?

Step 3: Evaluating ContentStep 3: Evaluating Content

► Ask these questions when evaluating the Ask these questions when evaluating the content of a reading:content of a reading:

a)a) What is the author’s purpose?What is the author’s purpose?b)b) Who is the intended audience?Who is the intended audience?c)c) What is the author’s main idea?What is the author’s main idea?d)d) How is the text organized?How is the text organized?e)e) What evidence is used?What evidence is used?f)f) What is the author’s tone?What is the author’s tone?

a) Author’s Purposea) Author’s Purpose

► Is it clear?Is it clear?

►Does the author want to persuade Does the author want to persuade you?you?

►Did the author actually persuade you?Did the author actually persuade you?

b) Intended Audienceb) Intended Audience

►Are you part of the intended audience?Are you part of the intended audience?

► Is the language suitable for you?Is the language suitable for you?

►What assumptions has the author What assumptions has the author made about her/his audience?made about her/his audience?

c) Author’s Main Ideac) Author’s Main Idea

► Is there a main idea or thesis stated?Is there a main idea or thesis stated?►What is it?What is it?►What ideas are included that relate to What ideas are included that relate to

the thesis?the thesis?►Do all the passages relate to the Do all the passages relate to the

thesis?thesis?►Are there contradictions?Are there contradictions?

d) Organizationd) Organization

►Does the reading have an Does the reading have an organizational pattern?organizational pattern?

► Is it well organized?Is it well organized?

► Is it confusing?Is it confusing?

e) Evidencee) Evidence

►What kinds of evidence are used?What kinds of evidence are used?►Are they effective?Are they effective?►Are they credible?Are they credible?►Are they varied?Are they varied?►Are assertions backed up with Are assertions backed up with

evidence?evidence?

f) Tonef) Tone

►What is the author’s tone?What is the author’s tone?►Does the tone distract from or Does the tone distract from or

enhance the reading?enhance the reading?►Were there recurring themes and use Were there recurring themes and use

of language? What were they?of language? What were they?►Does the author rely on tricks of Does the author rely on tricks of

persuasion (e.g. emotional language)? persuasion (e.g. emotional language)?

Tone: OmissionsTone: Omissions

►Many authors will attempt to persuade Many authors will attempt to persuade you by presenting only one side of an you by presenting only one side of an issue and fail to acknowledge opposing issue and fail to acknowledge opposing views.views.

►This is misleading and poor This is misleading and poor scholarship and you should read such scholarship and you should read such authors with caution.authors with caution.

Step 4: The Critical Reading Step 4: The Critical Reading ProcessProcess

►Reading for pleasure vs. reading Reading for pleasure vs. reading critically…critically…

The SQ3R Method:The SQ3R Method:An Active Reading StrategyAn Active Reading Strategy

►SSurveyurvey►QQuestionuestion►RReadead►RReciteecite►RRevieweview

SurveySurvey Before reading:Before reading:

Skim the introduction and conclusions. Skim the introduction and conclusions.

Skim through the main body of the reading Skim through the main body of the reading looking for topic headings, bold-faced words, looking for topic headings, bold-faced words, pictures, charts, and graphs.pictures, charts, and graphs.

This “preview” can give you an idea of the This “preview” can give you an idea of the general structure and content before you general structure and content before you begin reading. begin reading.

QuestionQuestion

? During the Survey phase, write During the Survey phase, write questions that come to mind on cue questions that come to mind on cue cards (one question per cue card)cards (one question per cue card)

? Questions can come from Questions can come from anywhere – a critical reading anywhere – a critical reading checklist, questions about content, checklist, questions about content, questions for further inquiry, etc.questions for further inquiry, etc.

Read! (Actively)Read! (Actively)

Well-defined purpose: to answer the Well-defined purpose: to answer the questions you wrote on the cue cardsquestions you wrote on the cue cards

As you come across answers to your As you come across answers to your questions, write them on the back of questions, write them on the back of the corresponding cue cardsthe corresponding cue cards

ReciteRecite

Once the reading is finished, take Once the reading is finished, take your cue cards and read questions and your cue cards and read questions and answers out loud for a quick reviewanswers out loud for a quick review

This will help you to learn the material This will help you to learn the material in a different way – through speech in a different way – through speech and hearing.and hearing.

ReviewReview

Organize your cue cards and/or Organize your cue cards and/or reading notes so that they are easy to reading notes so that they are easy to find.find.

Periodically review throughout the Periodically review throughout the semester – a very effective strategy semester – a very effective strategy for long-term learning.for long-term learning.

SummarySummary

►Remember the four steps to critical Remember the four steps to critical reading:reading:

Step 1: Set aside your own biases Step 1: Set aside your own biases Step 2: Carefully select the sources you Step 2: Carefully select the sources you

read read Step 3: Carefully evaluate the contentStep 3: Carefully evaluate the content Step 4: Use an effective reading processStep 4: Use an effective reading process

SummarySummary

►Your goal as a university student, Your goal as a university student, among others, is to become a among others, is to become a discerning consumer of information, discerning consumer of information, an active participant in your learning. an active participant in your learning.

►Engaging in the steps to critical Engaging in the steps to critical reading will help you to fulfill this goal!reading will help you to fulfill this goal!