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We have looked at some of the techniques involved in reading between the lines, reading to grasp transitions, and reading for implied meaning. Many of these techniques make much use of the art of questioning in reading. In other words, we have tried to teach you that, in order to read well, you must read actively with questions. All this is good prepation for critical reading. Critical reading, or critical evaluation means asking questions about what you read and evaluating the total content of the book or part of it, newspaper article, or magazine that you have read.
  Some of these questions that you should ask concern the writer. You should find out. If you can, you can get some ideas of the writer's background by reading the description of his background usually given on the back cover in what is called the blurb, sometimes the information on the title page, where the author's name, rank, and place of employment are given, will serve as a guide. In the case of the writer of the passage given here, what can you conclude about, his authority to speak on the subject of the military and war?
   Another question you should ask in critical evaluation concerns the subject matter. You should ask yourself about the main points, the details the transitions and purpose. You should ask yourself whether you are following the line of development of the ideas. You should ask how logical, how sound in fact or opinion is the argument. In the passage you've just read, trace the line of development from the beginning of the plan to the end.
   Lastly, you should ask questions about yourself. Yes-you. You are as important in the reading triangle as the writer and his subject. What do you know about the subject? What do you want to find out? If you ask yourself these questions, you will bring to mind what you have read, heard or seen about the topic. The recall will surely help to anchor the new information that you are seeking. Practice this kind and your ability to read with comprehension will increase.
 

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