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. Be curious about the wide range of positions in the research conversation you are entering. Your research question should guide you as you engage your sources.

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

Reading critically means

In nearly all subjects worth writing about, there is some element of argument, so expect to encounter debates and disagreements among authors. In fact, areas of disagreement give you entry points in a research conversation. The questions in the Checklist for reading and evaluating arguments can help you weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each author’s argument.

Using sources responsibly: Take time to read the entire source and to understand an author’s arguments, assumptions, and conclusions. Try to avoid taking quotations from the first few pages of a source before you understand if the words and ideas are representative of the work as a whole.