Skip to content
Skip to main content

Academic Skills - Critical Reading

Updated Thursday, 6 May 2021
When reading an academic piece of work, such as a journal article or book chapter, it helps to apply a series of questions to it. This ensures that you are engaging in critical and analytical reading in your research.

UR WGU Academic Skills - Critical Reading

Identify what is important:

  • What are the key ideas, problems, arguments, observations, findings, conclusions?
  • What evidence is there?
  • Distinguish critical from other types of writing (eg descriptive); fact from opinion; bias from reasons

Evaluate what you find:

  • Explore the evidence - does it convince?
  • What assumptions are being made and inferences drawn?
  • Is there engagement with relevant, up to date research?
  • How appropriate are the methods of investigation?
  • Is there a consistent and logical line of reasoning?
  • Are there any flaws in the argument?
  • Do you agree with what's being said? Why?
  • How is language being used (emotive, biased etc.)?

Look beyond what you are reading/hearing:

  • What other viewpoints, interpretations and perspectives are there? What's the evidence for these? How do they compare?
  • How does your prior knowledge and understanding relate to these ideas, findings, observations etc.?
  • What are the implications of what you are reading/hearing?

Clarifying your point of view:

  • Weigh up the relevant research in the area
  • Find effective reasons and evidence for your views
  • Reach conclusions on the basis of your reasoning
  • Illustrate your reasons with effective examples

 


Wrexham University logo

This resource was provided by Wrexham University and is part of the University Ready hub.

Find more resources like this on the hub homepage.

 

Become an OU student

Ratings & Comments

Share this free course

Copyright information

Skip Rate and Review

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

Have a question?