Understanding Critical Reading

Critical reading means looking beyond the surface of the text. It's about questioning, making connections, and evaluating what you read. Whether it's a novel, a news article, or a poem, your job is to dig deeper!

Why Annotate?

Annotation is a simple way to engage with the text. By highlighting, underlining, or jotting notes in the margins, you keep track of important ideas, unfamiliar words, and your reactions.

How to Annotate

• Circle unknown words and look them up.
• Underline key ideas or arguments.
• Write questions or reactions in the margin.

Benefits

• Improves comprehension and retention.
• Makes it easier to discuss or write about the text later.
• Helps you spot the author’s techniques and intent.

Real-World Application

Think of critical reading like being a detective: you’re gathering clues from the text to solve the mystery of its meaning!