Office of Academic Support

What Questions Should I Ask Myself While Reading

By Matt McCluskey, Coordinator of Academic Support
Contact: x5678, mmccluskey@stlawu.edu, Whitman 161

 

 -What are the text’s primary themes?

-Where and when was this text published?  How does the work reflect its time and place? 

-Who was it written for?  How was it distributed?

-Is there a problem or conflict being discussed?  Is there a moment of crisis identified?  Is there a solution presented?

-Who is affected by the problem under discussion?  How would the author’s proposal or plot outcome affect them?

-What previous writings or events influenced the creation of this text?  What context is the author writing from?

-What is the text’s setting?

-What research methods were used?

-What evidence was presented by the author?  Are there comparisons made?  How does the author use statistics, formal logic, case-studies, primary sources and/or individual examples?

-Is there a clearly identifiable thesis statement?

-Why do you think that the author wrote the piece? What biases or unique perspectives does the author present?

-What symbols, metaphors, and anecdotes are presented in the writing?

-Who are the main characters?  Can you identify a protagonist and antagonist?

-What is the tone of the piece?

-How does the author use citations?  How sound is the scholarship?

-How does the author begin the work?  How does she conclude it?

-Can you describe the language that the author uses to describe different characters?

-Who is the narrator?

-Why is the text structured in the way that it is?

-When applicable, how well does the text refer back to primary sources?

-What critical assumptions are present in the text? 

-Are you able to identify a ‘transforming moment’ for any of the text’s characters?

-Does present a clear message about a society or culture?

-Do you think the author uses unnecessary jargon?

-Why do you think the professor assigned this text?

-Are you reading to learn new terms, create arguments for future policy, to provide a basis for an essay assignment or class discussion, to become aware of new issues or ideas? Or is there another purpose?

-What are some potential exam questions that could come from this reading?

-Did you like it?  Why or why not?  What did you gain from this reading?