Critical Thinking Tutorial: Interpreting Information Critically

Now that you are familiar with using a methodical approach like the SEE-I method to interpret information, take it a step further and consider what it means to interpret information critically.

This video provides some insight. Watch attentively and respond to the questions to test your understanding. You cannot skip ahead, but you can watch at 1.5 times the speed  and rewind in ten-second intervals , if needed.

Source: Critical Reading by Doug Specht on YouTube

To read a passage of text critically means to engage actively with the text by carefully considering its meaning, context, and underlying assumptions. This involves asking questions, looking for evidence to support or refute the author's claims, and considering the implications of the ideas presented. Reading critically, however, can only happen after you understand or comprehend what you are reading.

To ensure good comprehension or understanding of the topic or the question being asked, use the SEE-I method to interpret the question first. Then, using the strategies recommended in the video or the reading tips in this handout, begin to think critically about the text. As these resources recommend, don’t just look for information when reading; instead, look for ways of thinking about the information being presented.