Take an article assigned to you and apply the strategies, annotating in the margins, asking questions:

• What is the main issue?
• What is the author's stance toward the issue?
• Have various sides or perspectives been fairly represented? Not just 2 opposing sides, but has the issue been represented in its full complexity? If not, what might be left out?
• After ascertaining the author's stance, what reasons are given to support it? Are they logically connected? Or is the reasoning faulty?
• How has the author tried to manipulate his or her readers? Through faulty logic, through manipulating a reader's emotions, or by trying to distract the reader through false analogy or other device?
• Look closely at the evidence used to support the reasons as well. Look critically and ask questions. Ask, what is the author assuming? What values, beliefs, etc. are being assumed as the case--for everyone.
• Look at pronouns & labels, or sweeping generalities--who is being included? who is left out?