Critical Reading

Recognize that these two lists represent the poles along a spectrum. Most readers will fall somewhere along the spectrum. As language arts students, we want to establish a goal to build our critical reading skills while recognizing that casual reading has a valid place in our lives. Nevertheless, we believe that critical reading enhances our understanding, and we know that we often do not like what we do not understand. Therefore, critical reading can increase both our comprehension and enjoyment of reading despite it taking more time, thought, and effort.

Critical Readers…

Before Reading

…activate background knowledge about the subject.

…question and wonder.

…know their purpose for reading.

…look for the structure of the text.

…believe they control their reading process.

…accept the challenge that meaningful reading may involve struggle and frustration, like climbing a “steep and rugged ascent” (Plato).

…understand that enhanced engagement and comprehension can bring as much enjoyment as casual reading with the added benefits of developing critical thinking skills.

During Reading

…focus their complete attention on reading.

…constantly monitor their comprehension.

…stop to use fix-up strategies when they do not understand.

…know they can make sense of it in time using fix-up strategies.

…look for important ideas to see how details relate to the whole.

…visualize, create mental mages (go to the movies in their minds).

…make inferences and text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections.

…realize that problems may arise due to the way the author wrote rather than the reader’s inability to understand.

After Reading

…reflect on the meaning, significance, and ramifications of what they have read.

…decide of they have achieved the goal of comprehending and making meaning from the reading.

…summarize and share their experience.

…reflect on their learning and share it with others.

…seek additional information if curious to know more.

…think through the “so what?” question.

Casual Readers…

Before Reading

…begin reading without thinking about the subject.

…do not know why they read other than that it is assigned or a personal whim.

During Reading

…do not know whether they do or do not understand the text.

…do not monitor their comprehension.

…seldom use fix-up strategies.

…often view reading as looking at words and turning pages, the more the better.

…often view reading as something that should be done only for personal enjoyment.

…occasionally analyze a word for meaning, or an intriguing passage, but seldom try to comprehend the deeper meanings or make connections beyond the text.

…ignore details or skim to get it done.

…often feel bored by reading.

After Reading

…do not really know or understand what they’ve read.

…do not follow reading with a comprehension self-check.

…see no connections between what they’ve read and anything else.