Reading critically – Analytical reading

Reading comprehension (RC) questions hold more than 50% weightage in verbal ability section. Accuracy in this can increase your score. But accuracy is based on your understanding. To understand the comprehension one needs to read on regular basis. Reading must be analytical. Here are few strategies and questions to keep in mind while reading an analytical comprehension: I)  Introduction: Critical reading is a rigorous process designed to test your patience and stretch your intellect. Readers should have in mind a strategy for critical reading that involves more than underlining or highlighting. Critical reading is an active process, and requires a pencil in hand with specific operations to perform while reading. Everyone should make an effort to learn and practice critical reading skills. Practice of critical reading will necessarily slow your rate of reading, but you will gain in the ability to evaluate the significance and quality of what you read. This will save you time in the long run. II)  Consider this five-point strategy for learning and practicing critical reading: PREVIEWING. Before reading, consider these basic questions. What does the central idea tell me? Insight to content and conclusions? What type of article is it? Report? Analytical? Have you read others of similar type? What can be learned by skimming the text? First sentence? Impressions? ANNOTATING. This is the most important step in critical reading. What annotations to make? 1)      Underline key words, phrases, and sentences and make a summarizing comment, word, or question in the margin. 2)      Bracket [   ] important sections of text, and connect related ideas with arrows. Number related points in sequence. 3)      Circle names or dates that you want to find quickly again. 4)      Make a running outline of key ideas in the article in the margin. 5)      Margin annotations, therefore, should include your reactions, comments, definitions, questions, and an outline. Annotations produce a comprehensive record that you can use in class discussions, presentations and paper writing. OUTLINING. Outlining is included above as part of the annotation, but it may be a separate step on another sheet of paper. Particularly if the comprehension is long and complex, separate outlining is helpful. By outlining, along with the key ideas helps in maintaining accuracy. SUMMARIZING. Annotating engages you fully in the article, and outlining gives you an overview. Now summarizing gives you a chance to digest the content and say the essence of the article in your own words. You now can handle the ideas on your own terms. TAKING INVENTORY. An inventory is a list. You can make an inventory of your annotations to look for patterns. Do you see recurring ideas, descriptions, examples, opposing ideas, or writing style? III)  Some critical reading questions to hold in your mind while reading: What are the subject and main point? Are difficult ideas explained clearly? Are they subject to various interpretations? Are illustrations, evidence and examples effective? Can you identify an argument in the article? Is the argument convincing? Logical?   Make a habit to read regularly and follow above tips to improve. All The Best!!!