Analytical and Critical Reading
FALL 2012
History 86
“Talking Points Paper”
This form is designed to assist in the critical and analytical reading of scholarly articles in this course.
When reading the article, please answer the following questions. Copy and paste (or legibly write by hand) the four questions on a blank Word document, leaving enough space between each question for your answers. Bring this form and the article with you to class for discussion.
1. What is the authors name, publication date, and who is the publisher of the article? (This is important to know, as historiography changes with new scholarship. In addition, the author and publisher provide clues as to whether this article is reputable source material.)
2. What is the authors’ central thesis in the article? Meaning, what is the broad point they are trying to make?
3. List the evidence, details or information, which supports the thesis statement presented by the author.
4. Are there any challenges made by other scholars to the thesis or evidence presented in the article? Is there a lack of historical data made available, or economic, political and social issues which affect the research and writing of the article?
