The Bedford Researcher, Chapter Four

            Chapter four is mainly about reading critically.  The definition it gives us of reading critically is, questioning what it says and thinking about what it means –focuses your attention on making sense of the source. Using this while you check out your sources for your research project helps immensely, because it will help you develop a position statement. This means taking ownership of your work! And slowly begin to contribute to the conversations. Adding to reading critically also includes your attitude and how active you are in reading your sources. Attitude helps by being open to new ideas or arguments, and being active in reading helps by marking, annotating sources, and taking notes. The end of this chapter talks about what to pay attention to as you read your sources, and how many times you should read a source. Paying attention as you read, you want to identify the type of source, secondary sources, main points, reasons, evidence, interpretive framework, new info, and differences. A good rule to follow as to how many times you should read a source, is, first pass; skim for organization and content. Second pass; read actively and third pass; reread important passages. And that sums up chapter four.