Critical Reading and Writing Notes

  • Objectives of Critical Reading and Writing

    • Familiarize with key public health articles

    • Critically read publications

    • Read critically and productively

    • Summarize key messages

    • Write and present seminar papers

  • Definition of Critical Reading

    • Involves questioning the text and its assumptions

    • Engages with the material rather than accepting at face value

  • Engagement Techniques in Critical Reading

    • Marking texts (highlighting, note-taking)

    • Creating summaries and connections to personal knowledge

  • Modes of Critical Reading

    • Understanding the author's view (Reading with the author)

    • Questioning the author's perspective (Reading critically)

  • Steps of Critical Reading

    1. Analyze task

    2. Begin research

    3. Pre-reading activities

    4. List questions

    5. Deep reading

    6. Make notes

    7. Evaluate articles

    8. Mind map from memory

  • Techniques of Critical Reading

    • Previewing

    • Writing notes

    • Re-reading

    • Summarizing

    • Forming critical responses

    • Finding a focus

  • S-RUN-R Reading System

    • S: Survey the text

    • R: Read in depth

    • U: Underline key points

    • N: Note taking

    • R: Review main arguments

  • Writing While Reading

    • Use margins for notes

    • Divided page method for reactions

    • Maintain a reading journal for summarizing and responses

    • Utilize online documents for commenting

  • Qualities of a Critical Reader

    • Comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize, evaluate

    • Engage actively with charts, tables, and unfamiliar terms

  • Exercises for Understanding

    • Summarize the author's views and personal agreements

    • Critically engage with the text, noting limitations and biases

  • Personal Perspective Formation

    • Identify parts for agreement or revision

    • Formulate personal theories based on the critical dialogue with the text.