1. Critical Reading Strategies
Dr. Janice Newton, Vanier College
June 2, 2016

2. Agenda: Novice vs Expert Readers Collecting vs Structuring Information
Reading Strategy: SQ4R (SPARK)

3. Sample text: Read as if studying for a class Test: What is it about?
Purpose?
Components?
Logical Sequence?
Conclusions?

4. Novices: Ignore context; start at first word
Don’t prime the pump (prior knowledge)
Read to “collect” information
Ignore the structure of the writing

5. Expert Readers: Pre-read (see next slide)
Review prior knowledge of the topic
Focus on context (course context, etc.)
Discern structure (introduction, main argument, counter-arguments, examples, definitions, sub-themes, etc.)
Anticipate the author’s argument

6. Pre-Reading I: Ellen Wood Reading
If you do not have the original text in hand, locate it through the library. What can tell you about the source before reading:
Publisher information (academic or not?)
Date published –implications for the topic?
The subject headings under which it is sorted
Author’s bio?
Implications of title and sub-headings

7. Author Information – Is this a reliable source?
How it is indexed….(useful for research)
LC Call Number
ISBN (if you want to buy it)
Publisher – status?
 Date & Place

8. Reflect on your article’s context…
Heading 1: Truth, Myth and History
** Your articles**
Heading 2: Need for World History
Heading 3: Master’s of the Historical Craft

9. Scan rest of book, chapter:
Tables
Index
Charts
Pictures
Text Boxes

10. Scan chapter Look at section headings: beginnings and ends
Skim the introduction and conclusion
Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph

11. Look for Structure: Different Styles of Structure: Argument Framework:
question, thesis, definitions, evidence
Systems Framework:
System, inputs/outputs, components, etc.
Novel Framework
Plot, language, context, relationships, characters

12. Questions: Reporter Questions: Who, what, when, where, etc.
Analytical Questions:
What is it about?
What is the author’s question?
What is the author’s answer to that question?
Key evidence
Rude little question: So What?
Your thoughts, connections to other readings, etc.

13. SPARK: SQ4R:

14. SPARK: SQ4R
Survey
Question
Read
Respond
Record
Review

15. Look for the forest before the trees

16. “Reading and writing, like everything else, improves with practice
“Reading and writing, like everything else, improves with practice. And, of course, if there are no young readers and writers, there will shortly be no older ones. Literacy will be dead, and democracy – which many believe goes hand in hand with democracy – will be dead as well.” Margaret Atwood

17. yorku.collegiatelink.net/form/start/9313
BONUS POINTS
If you attended this workshop, you can claim bonus points if your professor is counting them in your course.
Bonus Point requests are submitted through YU Connect:
yorku.collegiatelink.net/form/start/9313
Step 1: Join YU Connect
Step 2: Request to join Vanier College Organization
Will take 48 hours. After approved  Step 3
Step 3: Fill in the bonus point request form
(yorku.collegiatelink.net/form/start/9313)