Critical reading applies to non-fiction writing in which the author puts forth a position or seeks to make statement. Critical reading is active reading. It involves more than just understanding what an author is saying. Critical reading involves questioning and evaluating what the author is saying, and forming your own opinion about what the author is saying. Here are the things you should do to be a critical reader.
批判性閱讀應用於非小說類作品，也就是作者發表觀點或試圖發佈聲明的作品。批判性閱讀是積極的閱讀，它不只是理解作者在說什麼。批判性閱讀包含對作者所說的進行質疑和評估，並形成自己的觀點。以下是成爲批判性讀者要做的事。
Consider the context of what is written. You may be reading something that was written by an author from a different cultural context than yours. Or, you may be reading something written some time ago in a different time context than yours. In either case, you must recognize and take into account any differences between your values and attitudes and those represented by the author.
考慮所寫內容的上下文。你可能會讀到與你文化背景不同的作者寫的作品，或者是與你時間不同的舊作品。在任何一種情況，你必須認識和重視你的價值觀和態度與作者所表達的差異。
Question assertions made by the author. Don’t accept what is written at face value. Before accepting what is written, be certain that the author provides sufficient support for any assertions made. Look for facts, examples, and statistics that provide support. Also, look to see if the author has integrated the work of authorities.
質疑作者所作出的斷言。不要接受表面所寫的東西，在接受所寫的之前要先確定作者是否爲他的斷言提供了足夠的支持。尋找提供支持的事實、例子和統計數據，另外看看作者是否整合了權威的著作。
Compare what is written with other written work on the subject. Look to see that what is written is consistent wit h what others have written about the subject. If there are inconsistencies, carefully evaluate the support the author provides for the inconsistencies.
比較這個主題的其他作品。看該作品是否與同主題的其他人的作品一致。如果不一致，就要謹慎評估作者對不一致所提供的支持。
Analyze assumptions made by the author. Assumptions are whatever the author must believe is true in order to make assertions. In many cases, the author’s assumptions are not directly stated. This means you must read carefully in order to identify any assumptions. Once you identify an assumption, you must decide whether or not the assumption is valid.
分析作者所做出的假設。假設是作者爲了斷言必須相信的東西，在許多情況下，作者的假設不是直接闡述的。這意味着你必須仔細的辨別假設，一旦你識別到了一個假設，必須要決定這個假設是不是正確的。
Evaluate the sources the author uses. In doing this, be certain that the sources are credible. For example, Einstein is a credible source if the author is writing about landmark acheievements in physics. Also be certain that the sources are relevant. Einstein is not a relevant source when the subject is poetry. Finally, if the author is writing about a subject in its current state, be sure that the sources are current. For example, studies done by Einstein in the early 20th century may not be appropriate if the writer is discussing the current state of knowledge in physics.
評估作者使用的資料來源。在做這件事的時候，要確定來源的可信程度。例如，如果作者在寫關於物理里程碑的成就時，那麼愛因斯坦就是可靠的來源。同樣也要確定來源具有相關性，當主題是描寫詩歌時，愛因斯坦就不算是具有相關性的來源。如果作者撰寫的是當前狀態的主題，要確保來源是最新的。例如，如果作者在討論物理學中當前的知識狀態，愛因斯坦在20世紀早期所做的研究是不合適的。
Identify any possible author bias. A written discussion of American politics will likely look considerably different depending on whether the writer is a Demofaffcrat or a Republican. What is written may very well reflect a biased position. You need to take this possible bias into account when reading what the author has written. That is, take what is written with “a grain of salt.”
找出作者任何可能的偏見。根據作家是民主黨人還是共和黨人，對美國政治的討論將會有相當大的不同，所寫的內容可能會很好的反應偏見的立場。當你閱讀所寫的東西時，需要考慮這種偏見的可能。也就是，用“一粒鹽”來寫。
By being a critical reader, you will become better informed and may change your views as appropriate.
作爲一個批判性讀者，你將變得見多識廣並且可能在適當的時候改變你的觀點。