As writers begin collecting and reading through articles and sources that are potential support for their thesis, they will begin applying critical thinking skills to the evaluation and analysis of those articles. It is critical thinking that will help writers discern not only the validity and credibility of articles but also how articles might be used as evidential support for an essay. Writers need to uncover pertinent information from articles that apply to their stance and use that information as a tool to advance their position. Thus, in order to sufficiently and effectively use sources, writers need to read, comprehend, evaluate, and apply the information and ideas contained in the articles.

To facilitate comprehension and analysis of sources, it can be helpful to read with a pen and possibly a list of questions in hand. In this way, reading will be more active, resulting in better understanding. Below is a list of generic questions adapted from The Minature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts & Tools by Richard Paul and Linda Elder to help guide the process of critically reading and thinking:

Analyzing the Logic of an Article (Paul and Elder 10-11)

  1. What is the main purpose of the article? (State as accurately as possible the author's purpose for writing the article).
  2. What is the key question the author is addressing? (Figure out the key question in the mind of the author when he/she wrote the article).
  3. What is the most important information in the article? (Figure out the facts, experiences, data the author is using to support his/her conclusions).
  4. What are the main inferences/conclusions in the article? (Identify the key conclusions the author comes to and presents in the article).
  5. What are the key concepts that someone needs to understand in the article? (Figure out the most important ideas necessary to understand the author's line of reasoning).
  6. What are the main assumptions underlying the author's thinking? (Figure out what the author is taking for granted, that might be questioned).
  7. If the author's the line of reasoning is taken seriously, what are the implications? (Determine the consequences likely to follow from the author's line of reasoning).
  8. If the author's line of reasoning is not taken seriously, what are the implications? (Determine the consequences likely to follow from ignoring the author's line of reasoning).
  9. What are the main point(s) of view presented in the article? (Summarize the main points the author covers in the article).