How reading academic literature is like dating …
How you read for your dissertation literature review is not the same as how you read for pleasure. An academic monograph requires a very different reading approach from your current novel or true crime book!
There are 3 major differences between normal, every reading, and critical reading. I will use the analogy of dating to explain them. Everyday reading has a lot in common with casual dating, whilst critical reading is more like serious dating. Keep reading, it will all become clear!
The first difference is about PURPOSE. The purpose of everyday reading - which is like casual dating - is just to get a basic feel for the text. You just want to read the text and take it in, see what it’s about, spend a bit – but not too much(!) - time with it. You’re not looking for anything serious right now, you just keep it casual. You might be reading other stuff at same time, like book cheating! On the other hand, the purpose of critical reading - which is like serious dating, you want to understand how the text works, to get right into it. To understand it inside out. You are looking for commitment, and you’ve got to invest! You’re not reading any other books, until you’re done with this one. This is serious!
The second difference is about FOCUS. Where is your focus? In everyday reading, like casual dating, your focus is on what the text is saying to you. You’re not questioning it. You’re just going along with it. Critical reading, on the hand – serious dating now - your focus is not on what the text is saying, it’s on what its doing. Or not doing! In critical reading, you need to be convinced, because its not enough to just say stuff, that text has got to back it up!
The third and final difference – DIRECTION. Where is this going? Everyday reading, like casual early dating, you’re going with the flow, you’re just seeing what happens, you’re reading with the text, often assuming its right, taking for granted it’s right. You’re not too concerned about where it’s going or what happens in Chapter 20, because you’re only on Chapter 2. Critical reading – again serious dating – you’re a good few months in to the relationship now and you just need to know where its going! You’re reading against the text, you’re questioning it’s underlying assumptions, you’re interpreting its meanings. Analyzing the fine details! Paying attention to every word!
So, reading for pleasure and critical reading, like casual and serious dating, are very different things. And just like in dating, getting the two mixed up is never going end well!
Check out my YouTube video on this topic below!