Learn to Read Critical Thinking

Critical thinking about reading means questioning what you read. Is this true? Who wrote it? Why? What evidence is given? Whats NOT said? In an age of misinformation, critical reading protects you from being fooled. Always think while you read.

5 critical reading questions: (1) Who is the author? (credible?) (2) Whats their purpose? (inform, persuade, entertain?) (3) Whats the evidence? (facts or opinions?) (4) Whats missing? (bias?) (5) Does it match other sources? (verification). Applying these makes you a sharp reader.

Ad: "9 out of 10 doctors recommend!" Critical questions: 9 out of how many total? Paid by the company? Which doctors? Real data or marketing? Critical readers dig. Gullible readers believe headlines.

Misinformation spreads faster than truth on social media. Fake news studies show false stories get more shares than real ones. Critical readers break this cycle. They verify before sharing. They ask: is this source reliable?

A famous critical-reading technique is SIFT: STOP before you share anything. INVESTIGATE the source — who wrote this, are they a real expert or just someone with opinions? FIND better coverage — check if reputable news organizations report the same thing. TRACE claims to original sources — many viral posts misquote or fake studies. Using SIFT takes 60 seconds and stops you from spreading misinformation. Professional fact-checkers use this exact method. If you’re about to share something surprising or shocking, SIFT first.