Chapter 4

Chapter four spends the first paragraph detailing the distinction between critical reading and evaluating the reading. Critical reading is the process of questioning the source and thinking about it's meaning. The process is meant to focus attention on the how reliably a source presents information. The next section deals with the use of a research question to focus attention on your chosen issue and narrow the search field. When the search field is narrowed it allows you to focus on the information most helpful in answering your question. The position you take on your chosen research question, which side you take on the issue, is a partial answer. Having a stance on the issue you are discussing makes it easier to decide which information is relevant.

The book recommends a free write on your issue to have a statement that describes your position. While it is too broad to use as a thesis, not to mention, to long, but it helps to find sources. The reader is advised to "read with an attitude" or to approach each source with your writing situation at the forefront. Every source will be looked at differently as you make more process into your paper. The book also stresses the importance of keeping the interests and beliefs of your readers in mind. The right phrasing on an issue can change the readers mind on the issue just the wrong words could cement their previous opinion.

You are advised in the closing pages how to analyze sources. You are told to take notes and to identify each source as primary or secondary. A primary source would have more value as evidence because it has not been filtered while a secondary source could carry less bias.