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Critical reading is active reading. It involves more than just understanding what an author is saying. Critical reading involves questioning and evaluating what the author is saying and forming your own opinions. 1．

● Consider the context of what is written.

You may be reading something that was written by an author from a different cultural context than yours. Or, you may be reading something written some time ago in a different time context than yours. In either case, you must recognize and take into account any differences between your values and attitudes and those represented by the author.

● 2．

Don’t accept what is written at face value. Before accepting what is written, be certain that the author provides sufficient support for any statements made. Look for facts, examples, and statistics that provide support. Also, look to see if the author has integrated the work of authorities.

● Analyze assumptions made by the author.

Assumptions are whatever the author must believe is true in order to make statements. 3． This means you must read carefully in order to identify any assumptions. Once you identify an assumption, you must decide whether or not the assumption is valid.

● 4．

In doing this, be certain that the sources are reliable. For example, Einstein is a reliable source if the author is writing about landmark achievements in physics. 5． Einstein is not a relevant source when the subject is poetry. Finally if the author is writing about a subject in its current state, be sure that the sources are current. For example, studies done by Einstein in the early 20th century may not be appropriate if the writer is discussing the current state of knowledge in physics.