STRATEGIES FOR CRITICAL READING

1. Annotating 

One of the first strategies to begin with is annotating a text. When you annotate, you underline important parts of the text, such as the thesis statement, topic sentences of body paragraphs and explanatory material. It may include encircling important words and even writing comments or questions as you read the text. 

2. Contextualizing 

When you contextualize a text, you place it within its original historical or cultural context. As a reader you should try to identify this context and consider how this context differs from your own. To do this, you need to consider the following: 

a. Language or ideas that appear foreign or out of date. 

b. Your knowledge of the time and place in which the work was written. 

c. The effect these differences have on your understanding and judgment of the reading.

3. Reflecting on challenges to your beliefs and values 

Sometimes our beliefs about an issue are difficult to express because they are so ingrained. We can discover these beliefs if we will explore on the challenges that the text post on us. Is the value presented challenge your own value or beliefs? Does it contradict on your beliefs? Do you feel disturbed after reading such text? 

4. Paraphrasing 

When you paraphrase a text, you put it into your own words. This can clarify a difficult or ambiguous passage. Unlike a summary, a paraphrase contains all the original information. The purpose of a paraphrase is to simplify without changing any information. You are not changing what is said, but how it is said. 

5. Outlining 

This can be used as a preliminary to summarizing. Outlining allows you to identify the basic structure of a text and the main ideas of the text. In an outline you are listing the main ideas and supporting evidence of a text. Use your own words when outlining a text. 

6. Summarizing 

Summarizing creates a new text by synthesizing the material of the original. After outlining the text, the information is put together again in your own words. 

7. Exploring the figurative language 

Similes, metaphors, and symbols are all examples of figurative language. This type of language helps writers illustrate their points and get the type of reaction they want from the reader. 

8. Evaluating the logic of an argument

The two parts of an argument are claim and support. The claim is what the writer wants the reader to accept. That is, the claim is the idea, opinion, or point of view of the writer. The support is the reasons and evidence that becomes the basis for that claim.