Identify the central claims or purpose of the text: what the author is really trying to get across? What the author is trying to convince you of (as opposed to what they are trying to convince you with)? Identify the context of the article you are appraising: where is the article from (and when)? Who is it written by? Who is it written for? What is it intended to do in relation to that context? Discuss the kinds of reasoning and argument the text employs: How are the arguments made? What concepts or theories are used? Does the author appeal to authority, and how/whom? Is any specific methodology laid out? Examine the evidence provided: Is there enough evidence to be convincing? Does the evidence come from a reputable, trustworthy source? Are these sources primary (the author collected the data themselves) or secondary? Is any specific methodology for understanding or interpreting the evidence laid out? Evaluate the overall quality of the article’s argument(s): Does the argument make sense? Are there any obvious errors in reasoning? Does the evidence provided actually support the claim(s)? Is the (type of) evidence appropriate to the point the author is trying to make? Are any obvious counter-arguments or points of view are being ignored? Are any unwarranted assumptions made? Finally, you will write an overall concluding statement to summarize the main argument the article, identify its purpose, and provide an assessment about the quality and strength of the article (e.g. is the argument credible? Are you satisfied by the evidence provided? Is there something else you would have added? Do you ultimately believe what the author is saying, based on what is presented?)
