Critical Evaluation
Lesson Objective

This lesson will go beyond categorizing the text to cover how to evaluate expository writing.

Critical reading involves studying a text in depth, breaking it down into understandable parts, and analyzing the meaning of the text. This method of reading contrasts with how or why we read at other times, whether it be for pleasure, for entertainment, or for gathering factual information.

Several factors are important when critically analyzing written material:

  • Consider the author, who brings assumptions, attitudes, and a certain point of view to any written work.
  • Evaluate the purpose of the material. Why was it written? What does the author hope to achieve?
  • Determine the author’s audience. By understanding the intended audience of the written work, you should garner a deeper understanding and a better appreciation of the work itself.

The Author

Since they are not automatons, authors put themselves into what they write; critical readers should keep this fact in mind. First, consider what unstated assumptions the author is making. Assumptions are beliefs we consider to be true with little or no proof. When reading critically, ask yourself the following question: What must be true in order for the author’s argument to be true?

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