 This is list podcast number eight. It is the second in the critical analysis series. Adopting a more critical approach to reading by Kate Olly Pitchford. Welcome to the second hour series of podcasts about critical analysis. The series is designed to give you a greater insight into this complex issue and suggest some strategies to help you develop your skills. In this podcast we're going to discuss critical reading. So Kate, how do you adopt a more critical approach to academic reading? The first thing to say is that it's important to read widely to gain a good overview. A critical reader knows that if you only read one text you only get one person's perspective on the subject. If you read several texts you'll gather a wider range of views from which you can form your own ideas. When you've read a text, ask yourself, has anyone else written about this? Was it similar or different? To be critical you need to question everything. When you've read the literature for an assignment you need to consider the arguments being made by different authors. Who do you agree with and why? Are you reading a strong persuasive argument or can you see flaws? What criteria can we use to make these decisions? Look for good evidence to back up the author's argument and ask whether the evidence supports the author's conclusion. Has the text come from a reliable, credible and up-to-date source such as a university e-journal or a more dubious anonymous website? Does the author have a good reputation and authority in her subject? If it is a study was a sound methodology adopted or can you see a bias? So it's important to keep an objective mind when reading? Yes and challenge any assumptions being made. Remember you're not just reading a text to find out the facts but you're reading a text to learn the significance or the implications of an idea or concept. When you finish the text ask a simple question, so what? This should help you to decide whether or not it's important for you to know and if it will be useful to your assignment. So, as with critical thinking, critical reading takes time? Yes, allow plenty of time to mull over what you've read. Reflecting is an important part of the learning process. Take notes to help you clarify what the text is really about. Some people like to use mind maps to organise their thoughts. Another good idea is to set up an informal study group to discuss what you've read. This will help you to test out your own thoughts and also hear others' ideas. Thanks Kay, you've given us some useful tips on how to adopt a more critical approach to academic reading. The next podcast in this series will look at how to sound more critical when writing your assessments. For further details please go to the university website, click on the student life tab and choose the library and learning link.