Evaluating is looking at the quality and the credibility of a text.
When to do it
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While reading the text
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After reading the text
Reading intention
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Assess quality
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Assess credibility
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Assess purpose and stance
Outcome
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Better understanding
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Identifying bias
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Improved critical thinking
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Reflection on impact
Never take a text at face value: take the time to question its content. The reason why a text was written can influence the perception of its quality and credibility.
Examples of questions to ask:
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What is the text’s purpose? |
Is it to entertain? |
What are the themes? Is there an underlying message? Are the characters well defined? Is the plot (or topic) interesting? |
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Is it to inform? |
Is the information accurate? Can the information be validated? Are there reliable sources? Is it based on evidence? Is the information up-to-date? |
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Is it to persuade? |
What is the stance? Is it objective/biased? Which persuasive techniques are used? Is the reasoning sensible? Are the arguments balanced or one-sided? |
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Who is the intended audience? |
Is it general or targeted? How does the text appeal to its audience? What was the original published format? |
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Does it reach its written purpose? |
Is the written purpose clear? Are all the necessary elements present to reach its written purpose? Could changing text elements make it better? |
Knowing who the author is provides additional information and gives insight into the text meaning. It also provides additional information to evaluate the text’s quality and credibility.
Examples of questions to ask:
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When was it written? |
What was the social and economic context at that time? |
How have the social and economic context influenced the text? Are the themes or topics related to this context? |
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What historical events took place around that time? |
Are these events present in the themes or topic of the text? How influential were these events to the text? Are these events represented accurately? |
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How long ago was the text written? |
How does time affect the validity of the information? Is the information still up-to-date or relevant? Are the themes still relatable? |
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Where was it written? |
How does the writing location affect the text? |
Does this location still exist? Are there references to regional features? Is the text in its original language or was it translated? |
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How was it received at publication? |
What made it a success or a failure? |
How is the text perceived now? How did its success or failure affect the author? |
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Does its reputation still hold up? |
Is the text now as/less/more relevant? Which elements of the text are still up-to-date? |
The context in which a text was written influences its content.
Examples of questions to ask:
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When was it written? |
What was the social and economic context at that time? |
How have the social and economic context influenced the text? Are the themes or topics related to this context? |
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What historical events took place around that time? |
Are these events present in the themes or topic of the text? How influential were these events to the text? Are these events represented accurately? |
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How long ago was the text written? |
How does time affect the validity of the information? Is the information still up-to-date or relevant? Are the themes still relatable? |
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Where was it written? |
How does the writing location affect the text? |
Does this location still exist? Are there references to regional features? Is the text in its original language or was it translated? |
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How was it received at publication? |
What made it a success or a failure? |
How is the text perceived now? How did its success or failure affect the author? |
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Does its reputation still hold up? |
Is the text now as/less/more relevant? Which elements of the text are still up-to-date? |
With the answers from the previous steps, evaluate the text’s quality and credibility.
Look at the following questions to help get a general picture of the text.
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How does the text achieve its written purpose? |
How well is it achieved? What could be done better to achieve it? Why did the text achieve or fail to achieve its written purpose? |
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How credible is the text? |
How reliable are the information sources? How reliable is the author? How believable is the text? How accurate is it? Is the text well built? |
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Why would you suggest (or not) this text to others? |
How interesting or entertaining is it? How well written is it? How important or influential is it? How does it appeal to readers? |
To learn more about a strategy, click its name.
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Get an overview of the text. |
Quickly search & find information |
Ask yourself questions |
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Create mental pictures |
Relate to the text |
Read between the lines |
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Write down notes & comments |
Understand challenging words |
Sum up main idea & key elements |
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Evaluating |
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Explore sources to come up with new perspectives |
Form an opinion on the quality of the text |
Look at the structure and techniques used |