A Critical Reading Guide

Printed Page 207

An Informative Introduction to the Issue and Opposing Positions

Has the writer explained the issues and opposing positions clearly and in a way that will engage readers’ interest?

  • Summarize: Briefly tell the writer what you understand the issue to be and what the opposing positions are.
  • Praise: Indicate where the writer does a good job explaining the issue, introducing the authors, or engaging readers’ interest.
  • Critique: Describe any confusion or uncertainty you have about the issue, about why it is important, or about the positions the essays being analyzed take on it.
Table 5.11: A CRITICAL READING GUIDE
Printed Page 208
A Probing Analysis

Is the writer’s analysis of the points of disagreement and potential agreement interesting and insightful?

  • Summarize: Tell the writer what you understand to be the points of disagreement and the areas of potential agreement.
  • Praise: Identify one or two passages where the analysis seems especially effective–for example, where the opposing arguments are shown to be based on similar motivating factors, such as a shared value or common concern.
  • Critique: Identify places where additional details, an example or illustration, or more explanation would make the analysis clearer. Let the writer know if you detect any other motivating factors that might be used to establish common ground.
A Fair and Impartial Presentation

Has the writer represented the opposing arguments in a balanced, unbiased way?

  • Summarize: Circle the words used to describe the proponents, and underline the words used to describe their views.
  • Praise: Note any passages where the writer comes across as being especially fair and impartial.
  • Critique: Tell the writer if the authors and their positions are presented unfairly or if one side seems to be favored over the other. Identify passages that seem critical of the proponents or their views, and suggest ways the writer could make the point less negatively, such as by using quotations to state criticisms or replacing negative words with neutral ones.
A Clear, Logical Organization

Is the essay clear and readable?

  • Summarize: Underline the thesis, and circle key terms that forecast the topics the essay will focus on. Then circle those key terms when they appear elsewhere in the essay.
  • Praise: Pick one or two places where the essay is especially clear and easy to follow–for example, where the writer has repeated key terms or synonyms for them effectively, or where the writer has used comparative transitions, such as both or as well as to signal similarity and whereas or although to signal differences.
  • Critique: Let the writer know where the readability could be improved–for example, where a topic sentence could be clearer or where a transition is needed. Suggest a better beginning or a more effective ending.
Printed Page 208

Before concluding your review, be sure to address any of the writer’s concerns that have not been addressed already.

Printed Page 209

Making Comments Electronically Most word processing software offers features that allow you to insert comments directly into the text of someone else’s document. Many readers prefer to make their comments this way because it tends to be faster than writing on hard copy and space is virtually unlimited; it also eliminates the process of deciphering handwritten comments. Where such features are not available, simply typing comments directly into a document in a contrasting color can provide the same advantages.