Reading Critically at University
- Mike Metcalfe - University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
SAGE Study Skills Series
Reading Critically at University provides 13 different ways of undertaking a critique. It will help you to confidently use these critique methods to develop your own methods. Each chapter contains sample passages, example critiques and explanations of underlying theory to help you to consolidate your understanding and skills.
Reading Critically at University will support undergraduate and graduate students across the social sciences, as they master different critique methods. It will also be an excellent resource for all undergraduate study skills modules.
Supplements
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ADOPTED AS PART OF CRITICAL THINKING/WRITING MODULE
The diversity of methods to read critical is helpful because they are delineated categorically, which is particularly helpful for undergraduate students. The concept of criticality can often be misconstrued and the combination of questions to frame the approach alongside the examples are extremely useful. Each chapter contains a clear summary that allows the reader to evaluate whether or not the student has a sound grasp of the key concepts.
'Critiquing' and 'critically analysing' texts are of course key skills for undergraduate students. Too often however this phrase is used by lecturers without students fully understanding the implications of this. This book is an excellent resource for students and lecturers to refer to in order to address common misunderstandings and develop a common discourse.
Very clear and readable
This provides a good introduction to concepts of critical appraisal and seems appropriate for new students, including those returning for more advanced studies
Excellent book - very detailed but simple enough for students to dip in and out of when needed.
Many students, even at Post Graduate level, do not really appreciate what the critique of a journal article or textbook entails. They often confuse critique with criticism and negativity and then feel they may be viewed in a bad light themselves.
Mike Metcalfe's informative and well structured text outlines critique as a process, undertaken from a position of strength in terms of knowledge and analytical ability, used to evaluate 'anything placed before you'. The text then introduces the reader to 13 different standpoints or 'stances' that can be used to 'critique contempory problems ststematically and constructively' in order to examine and challenge, for example, the credibilty and evidence base for claims and conclusions within the article, book, journal paper, etc. under review.
The 13 stances are presented in some depth using a self-assessment procedure in which the reader is encouraged to critique numerous example text based vignettes and end of chapter exercises.
All in all a very readable and informative coverage of critical reading for university students.
Another good book from this series. Student can dip in and out of the text to support their development. This is supported with exercises at the end of the chapters for the student to complete at their leisure.
First class explanations with useful exercises at the end of each chapter.
My learners were able to dip in and out of this text with ease.
Very good.
Think this will help students a lot in not just agreeging with anything that is written in a book
