Critical Comments

1.. Background Information (information about the author which shows qualifications for writing in this field or which reveals any influences which may have affected the author’s point of view, any interesting circumstances which led to the writing of the book)

2.. Classification on the Basis of the Kind of Book (classify a non-fiction book further as history, philosophy, travel, biography, autobiography, psychology, anthropology, etc).

3. Classification on the Basis of the Author’s Intention ( This classification is based on the way the author treats the subject. Is the material meant for specialists, students, or the general public? Is it limited to a narrow area or is it a survey of the subject?)

4. Analysis of Structure ( the organization of subsidiary ideas, and how they relate to the thesis and to one another).

5. Critical Comments ( Has the purpose of the book been achieved? What contribution does the book make to the field? Is the treatment of the subject matter objective? Are there facts and evidence that have been omitted? What kinds of data are used to support the author’s thesis? Can the same data be interpreted to alternate ends? Is the writing style clear and effective? Does the book raise issues or topics for discussion? State whether you liked or disliked the book.)

Critical Reading includes:

1. Determining the question(s) the author is trying to answer. Why did the author write this book? What purpose(s) does the author want to accomplish?.

2. Finding the author's thesis. The thesis should be stated in one or two sentences in the introduction or first chapter of the book and is the answer to the question/purpose. Judge the book by the author's intentions, not by what you wish the author had written or how you would have written a book on the same topic.

3. Examining the author's method. How does the author make his/her case? What sorts of evidence does s/he use (read the footnotes, endnotes, or bibliography)? Are the sources primary or secondary, taken from other researchers' work, or original? Does s/he use statistical data or literary sources? How does he/she evaluate these sources or data? Are they used conscientiously? Are there flaws in the claims or conclusions about the content or nature of these sources? What assumptions does the author make? Are they reasonable, or too general? Does the author employ a specific theory? Is it used responsibly? Does it fit his/her argument?

4. Looking at the organization and logic of the argument. How does the author prove his/her thesis? How are the sections or chapters organized? Does the argument follow logically? What necessary or useful evidence or ideas has the author omitted? Do the author's conclusions follow from the argument? In other words, do you find the book persuasive? Why/why not? How does the book contribute to the field?

5. Evaluating the author's style. Tone, audience, and voice are also important elements of critical reading. For which audience is the book intended-popular, specialists, or general academic? Who would be interested in this book? Is the prose graceful or dense? Does the author use 'jargon' specific to his/her discipline? How did these elements affect your reception/evaluation of the book?

Дата добавления: 2015-08-13