Critical reading involves carefully evaluating a text to identify its strengths and weaknesses by examining how well it presents and supports its arguments. It requires considering factors like the author's background and intended audience, the purpose and conclusions of the reading, the evidence used and whether logical connections are made between claims and evidence. It also involves assessing limitations, how the reading relates to other research, and for research-based readings, examining the methodology. Critical reading is useful for writing critiques or reviews by analyzing elements like definitions, logic, balance and addressing counterarguments.

1. CRITICAL READING
EDU452

2. WHAT IS
CRITICAL
READING?
 Critical reading is the process of reading that goes beyond just
understanding a text.

3. WHAT DOES
IT INVOLVE?
 Carefully considering and evaluating the reading
 Identifying the reading's strengths and implications
 Identifying the reading's weaknesses and flaws
 Looking at the 'big picture' and deciding how the reading fits into
the greater academic context (the understandings presented in
other books and articles on this topic)

4. CRITICAL
READING
 In brief, you are actively responding to the reading.
 Critical reading is useful at all stages of academic study, but is
particularly important when writing an article critique or
a literature review.

5. CRITICAL
READING
 Critical reading often involves asking questions about the reading.
In particular, you are examining the strengths and weaknesses of
the reading's argument.

6. HOWTO
EXAMINE
STRENGHT
AND
WEAKNESS
OR
ARGUMENTS
IN READING?
CONSIDER:
The background
Purpose and
overall conclusion
Evidence used in
reading
Logical
connections
between the claim
and the evidence
Its limitations
How it relates to
other sources and
research
If the reading is
based on research,
how this research
was conducted

7. BACKGROUND
Author?
• Academic expert
• From university, industry
Source? • Journal, books,Wikipedia
Audience? • Academician, industry, public
When
written?
• 5, 10, 15 years ago

8. PURPOSE
Main claim?
•Clear conclusion
Implications?
•Practical, useful?

9. METHODOLOGY
(Ifresearch)
Quantitative or qualitative?
Sample size?
Methodology?

10. LOGIC
Terms defined
• Terms properly defined
Logic flows
• Follow from last point
Flaws in reasoning
• Logically sound

11. BALANCE
Questions
not
answered?
Missing details?
Biased?Other perspectives?
Counter
argument?
Any?

12. THE END  Let’s start with a skill called Distinguishing between FACT or
OPINION