Think about what topics or issues personally interest you. Then, go online and look for a informational article that focuses on one of those topics. Some possible topics that you might choose to explore and find articles about include:

Question

Immigration
Climate change or environmental issues
Teacher Pay/Salary
Educational policies
Poaching
After you have used your critical reading skills to fully read and digest the article, you will compose a written reflection that explores the required questions below and examines your entire critical reading experience.

You may organize your reflection in whatever way you feel will best allow you to analyze and evaluate the article and answer the following questions (essay-style, numbered responses, slideshow presentation, etc.):

Write an objective summary of the article (one to two paragraphs).
What two (or more) central ideas are expressed in the article?
How does the author develop these ideas over the course of the article?
How do these ideas build on each other throughout the article?  
How does the author structure their article?
How effective is the structure? Evaluate the structure that is used.
Does the structure help make the information clear, convincing, and engaging?
Does the article seem organized to you? Why or why not? (Tip: Organization comes from structure.) 
What specific language is used in the article that specifically pertains to the topic and allows you to more fully comprehend the information being delivered?
What critical reading strategies did you use to help you explore and examine this article more thoroughly? What strategy did you find the most helpful? Why?
If you were asked to edit this article, what changes or edits would you suggest? Why?

Answer 1

Objective Summary:

The article I chose to explore is about climate change and its impact on coastal communities. The article highlights the increasing threat of sea-level rise and its consequences on the lives and livelihoods of people living in these vulnerable areas. It provides examples of communities already facing the effects of rising sea levels and emphasizes the urgent need for action to mitigate and adapt to these changes.

Central Ideas:

The first central idea expressed in the article is that climate change, specifically sea-level rise, poses a significant threat to coastal communities. The second central idea is that urgent action is required to address this issue and protect vulnerable populations.

Development of Ideas:

The author develops these ideas by presenting scientific evidence and research on the rising sea levels and its impacts. They provide examples of real-life situations from different coastal regions affected by sea-level rise, such as the displacement of communities and loss of infrastructure. The author also emphasizes the need for global cooperation and policy changes to mitigate and adapt to these changes effectively.

Building of Ideas:

The author builds on the first central idea by presenting alarming statistics and scientific explanations for sea-level rise. They then transition into highlighting the consequences of these rising sea levels on coastal communities, which strengthens the urgency for action. By connecting the cause (climate change) to the effect (impact on communities), the author effectively builds a cohesive narrative.

Structure and Effectiveness:

The structure of the article follows a logical progression. It starts with an introduction that explains the issue, provides evidence to support the central ideas in the body paragraphs, and concludes with a call to action. The structure is effective as it presents a clear flow of information, enabling readers to understand the problem, its impacts, and the need for action.

Organization:

The article appears to be organized well. The introduction sets the stage for the topic, and each subsequent paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the issue. The transitions between paragraphs are smooth and provide cohesive connections between ideas.

Language and Comprehension:

The article uses specific language related to climate change, sea-level rise, and coastal communities. It effectively conveys scientific information without overwhelming the reader. The use of concrete examples and specific case studies helps to enhance comprehension and make the information more relatable.

Critical Reading Strategies and Helpful Strategy:

I used various critical reading strategies while examining the article, such as annotation, summarizing paragraphs, and making connections to prior knowledge. However, the most helpful strategy for me was asking questions while reading. This helped me engage with the content and prompted me to think critically about the topic and the author's arguments.

Suggestions for Editing:

If I were asked to edit this article, I would suggest including more information on potential solutions and strategies to mitigate sea-level rise. While the article effectively highlights the problem and its consequences, it leaves the reader craving more information on actionable steps to address the issue. Additionally, providing more localized examples and perspectives from impacted communities could further strengthen the article's impact and emotional appeal.