Critical Rereading

ENGL 111Module 3

Ask questions“Critical rereading simply means questioning what you read” (Reid 79).

Make notes As you reread, make notes on a

separate file on your computer—or print off the article and make notes in the margin

Underline key points Underline interesting or confusing

details Write your questions and reactions

Questions about the author Ask questions about the author. Who is the author? What do you know about the author? What are the author’s credentials to

write about this subject? What is the author’s stake in this

subject? What is the author’s bias?

Questions about the type of writing Ask questions about the writing. What genre is this writing? (Some

possible examples include: editorial, newspaper article, investigative report, short story, poem, scientific article, blog post, opinion piece, letter to the editor, etc.)

Is this a piece of professional writing? Is this a piece of student writing?

Questions about the rhetorical context Ask questions about the rhetorical context. When was the piece originally written? Who

was the original audience? To what problems or issues is the writing

responding? What goal or purpose does the author seem

to have? (Review Core Concept 2 in Chapter 2 for

more on the rhetorical context.)

Questions about the content Ask questions about the content of the writing. What are the author’s main points? How does the author back up her/his points?

Does the author use research, evidence, statistics, facts, logic, quotes from other experts, personal experience, interviews, real-life examples, hypothetical examples…?

Does the presentation seem effective? What is missing? What is confusing? What is eye-opening and mind-expanding?

Questions about the language and style Ask questions about the way the writing is written. What sort of language and style does the author

use? Is the language formal or informal? Is the vocabulary difficult or easy? Is the stance neutral and objective or personal

and subjective? Is the tone academic, casual, humorous, sarcastic,

angry, preachy, or something else? Does the language and style seem appropriate for

the subject and audience?

After you have read, reread, and thought… …you are ready to make your initial post in

the Module 3 and Module 4 Critical Rereading Discussion Board.

You will be able to apply these insights as you develop your ideas for the second Writing Project.

Learn to practice critical rereading with all your college reading!

Works CitedReid, Stephen. “Reading Critically,

Analyzing Rhetorically.” The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers. 10th ed. Pearson, 2014. pp. 77-127.