If there is anything we want you take away from this section on critical reading it is that your opinions, even as a first-year undergraduate, are important. Academic literature can feel very daunting, but what can feel even more daunting is saying that you disagree with it. You might not think it, but your tutors do want to see this. It doesn’t need to be amazing to begin with, but remember what Bailin et al. (1999) said:

If you come to an opinion, and can support that view with some kind of evidence, then that is critical thinking.

With that in mind here are the key takeaways from this section:

Every piece of academic writing you read can be read critically

It might not always feel like it but even the best academics are humans who make mistakes. If we remember the French philosopher Descartes, he was an absolutely amazing thinker who revolutionised the philosophy of knowledge. Yet much of his work on the nature of thought predates modern neuroscience. There are things that we know about the brain that he never did. Equally, there will be things you know that your lectures won’t (honestly). So, have confidence in yourself and say what you think! If you can back it up with evidence then it’s valid.

Critical thinking needs to be supported by evidence

There will be times when you have opinions on what you read, but what is essential is that those opinions are supported by evidence. Without evidence you won’t be able to support anything you say! If you get through your reading and take good notes you’ll have the ammunition to make strong critical arguments.

Check if you can trust what you’re reading

It’s a great idea to apply techniques, such as the SCRAAP Test, to your reading. These methods allow you to trust that what you’re reading is actually going to benefit you. It save you time and effort. If it is allocated reading it might even give you something to say in your seminar.

Find what an author thinks

An underappreciated skill that we need to grapple with as academic readers is to decipher what an author thinks. Underneath all the evidence and references there is an opinion. Finding this opinion is key to critical reading as it will allow you to find key points of disagreement within your reading list.

Review your reading

Reviewing your reading is an excellent idea as it allows you to understand where the tensions and disagreements are in the subject you are studying. If you do this you will be able to nurture your own opinion and place yourself into the debate. All you have to do then, is master the art of critical writing.

Image: kafemilk on Pixabay