Reading sources critically

As you begin reading the sources you have chosen, keep an open mind. Do not let your personal beliefs prevent you from listening to new ideas and opposing viewpoints. Your research question—not a snap judgment about the question—should guide your reading.

When you read critically, you are not necessarily judging an author’s work harshly; you are simply examining its assumptions, assessing its evidence, and weighing its conclusions. You want to read actively and analyze the text and its arguments.