How to read critically
Do you ever finish a book and wonder if you really understood it? Do you give 5 stars to pretty much every book you read? Do you watch reviews of a book you enjoyed and find yourself surprised that the reviewer picked up on so many things you didn’t?
If this sounds like you and you want to make a change, this video is for you:
To facilitate reading critically, I’ve compiled a list of questions you can ask while you read (and after, as a reflection) to dive deeper into a variety of aspects of a story. Use this post as a resource or get the printable below!
General
What stands out to me right now and why?
What emotions am I feeling? Where are they coming from?
Do I agree or disagree with what’s being said or shown?
Is there something here I don’t understand yet?
Am I actively engaged, or do I feel my attention drifting? Why?
What expectations did I bring into the book, and are they being fulfilled or challenged?
Do I feel immersed in the world of the book, or am I constantly aware that I’m reading?
Am I curious to know what happens next? Why or why not?
Does anything here remind me of my own life, values, or experiences?
What is surprising me, and why?
Do I trust the author to take me somewhere worthwhile?
Genre & Conventions
What genre is this book and how does it fulfill or subvert that genre’s conventions?
Does the book blend multiple genres? If so, is it effective?
Does the book feel formulaic or innovative within its genre?
How does the book handle common tropes of its genre (romantic rivals, chosen one, unreliable narrator, etc.)?
Is the genre choice the best fit for the story being told?
How does the book set up reader expectations through genre signals (cover, blurb, opening chapter)?
Does the book play with or challenge the boundaries of its genre?
How does it compare to other well-known works in the same genre?
Does the book rely on clichés, or does it reinvent familiar elements?
Are genre conventions used to reinforce or complicate the book’s themes?
Does the book satisfy the “promises” of its genre (mysteries solved, HEA, etc.)?
How does the tone align with or contrast the genre (a lighthearted take on horror, a dark take on romance)?
Would the book still work outside its genre, or is the genre essential to its identity?
Does the book appeal primarily to fans of the genre, or to a broader audience?
Plot, PACING, & Structure
What is the central conflict driving the story?
How is tension built or released?
Are the major plot beats placed in a way that builds tension and keeps you engaged?
Are there any major turning points or shifts in tone?
Is the structure (linear, dual timeline, fragmented) affecting how I interpret the story?
Does the structure (chapters, POV switches, timeline jumps) support or distract from the narrative?
Does the story move at a pace that serves its tone and content?
Are there sections that feel rushed or drag on without purpose?
Are subplots integrated smoothly, or do they distract from the main story?
Do events feel inevitable given what came before, or arbitrary?
How does the opening set up expectations for the rest of the book?
Does the ending resolve conflicts in a satisfying way, or leave threads hanging?
Is there a balance of action, reflection, and dialogue?
Are cliffhangers used effectively, or do they feel manipulative?
How does the book’s length affect its impact?
Characters
What does the main character want and what’s stopping them from getting it?
How are characters changing (or not changing) over time?
Are character arcs satisfying and earned or abrupt and unconvincing?
Do the characters have clear motivations, and do those evolve over time?
Are their actions consistent with their beliefs or motivations?
Do any characters represent something larger than themselves (ideas, archetypes, ideologies)?
Are the characters well-developed and believable, or do they feel flat or stereotypical?
How does the author invite me to feel about this character? Do I agree?
Does the author show character traits through actions and dialogue, or just tell?
Do the relationships between characters feel authentic and layered?
Are secondary characters fleshed out or one-dimensional?
Do characters face meaningful consequences for their actions?
How do the characters reveal themselves in moments of stress or conflict?
Does dialogue feel natural for each character’s background and personality?
Do characters embody contradictions or complexities that make them feel real?
Who has the power in the relationships between characters, and how does that shift (if at all)?
Representation
Are marginalized characters written with depth, agency, and nuance or as tokens or plot devices?
Is the representation sensitive and thoughtful, or does it rely on clichés and harmful tropes?
Does the author seem aware of the cultural, historical, or social weight of the identities they’re writing about?
If the author is writing outside their own experience, does it feel researched, respectful, and responsible?
Does representation extend beyond surface identity into worldview and lived experience?
Do marginalized characters have their own goals and arcs?
Are stereotypes being reinforced or challenged?
Who gets the narrative focus and emotional depth, and who is sidelined?
How does the book handle intersectionality (characters holding multiple marginalized identities)?
Does the representation feel tokenistic or integral to the story?
How might someone from the represented community feel about this portrayal?
What responsibilities do I have when reading work that represents identities or experiences not my own?
How might my interpretation affect how I recommend or discuss this book with others?
Narration & Point of View
Who is telling the story? Are they trustworthy?
What information is being emphasized or omitted?
How would the story change if told from another perspective?
How close or distant do I feel from the characters and events? What’s contributing to that effect?
Why might the author have chosen this POV over another?
How does the narrator’s reliability (or unreliability) affect the story?
Are there gaps between what the narrator knows and what the reader understands?
Does the narrative voice change depending on the situation or subject?
How much access do I have to the characters’ inner thoughts versus their actions?
Is the distance between narrator and events intentional (ironic, detached, intimate)?
Does the POV limit or enhance the story’s themes?
Themes & Big Ideas
What ideas or questions keep coming up?
What do I think the book is really about underneath the surface? How do I feel about its message?
How do the characters or plot reinforce the themes?
Is the book making a moral or political argument? Is it subtle or overt?
Are the themes woven naturally through the narrative, or are they overly blunt or lost entirely?
Does the book ask meaningful questions or challenge the reader to think critically?
Is the book doing something new or insightful with familiar ideas? Does it have a unique perspective?
Do the themes resonate beyond the story, or feel shallow or surface-level?
Do the themes emerge through character, plot, or imagery?
Are the themes consistent, or do they conflict in interesting ways?
Is the book engaging with broader philosophical, social, or cultural conversations?
Are there unanswered questions the book leaves me to wrestle with?
Does the book critique or reinforce dominant ideologies?
Is the story more concerned with questions than with answers?
Do the themes feel timeless, or tied to a particular moment?
Setting & Worldbuilding
Is there a strong sense of place?
Is the setting or world immersive?
What kind of world is this (realistic, fantastical, dystopian, historical)?
Does the world feel fully realized, with rules, logic, and texture?
How does the setting shape the characters’ choices or values?
How does the world reflect or challenge real-world systems (power, oppression, identity, etc.)?
What assumptions does this world make about power, gender, race, class, etc.?
Is the world internally consistent?
Are there inconsistencies or gaps that pulled you out of the story?
Does the author balance exposition with immersion or is it too info-dumpy or underdeveloped?
Does the physical environment mirror or contrast with the characters’ emotional states?
How is atmosphere or mood conveyed through the setting and/or language?
Does the world evolve as the story unfolds, or stay static?
Are details grounded in sensory experience (sight, sound, smell, etc.)?
Do cultural norms and social systems feel lived-in or artificially imposed?
How is setting used symbolically, if at all?
Would the story work if set somewhere else, or is the setting essential?
Language & WRITING Style
What kind of tone does the author use? Is it playful, cynical, dispassionate, neutral?
Does the prose style support the story being told (sparse, lyrical, sharp, experimental, etc.)?
Is the language doing something unusual? Why might the author have chosen to experiment in this way?
Are there recurring words, phrases, or images? Does the repetition feel intentional? Why might the author have chosen to emphasize these particular words and ideas?
Does the writing feel intentional, or overly reliant on clichés and filler?
Are the dialogue and descriptions distinctive and purposeful?
Do the tone and voice match the subject matter and emotional stakes?
How does sentence rhythm affect the reading experience?
Does the author favour description, dialogue, or internal thought?
Is there a consistent voice throughout, or does it shift?
How does word choice affect tone (formal, casual, archaic, modern)?
Are there moments where the writing itself evokes strong emotion?
Does the author use silence or the absence of detail for effect?
Are there passages worth rereading for their beauty, craft, or complexity?
Do I have any favourite quotes? How and why do they resonate with me?
Symbols, Imagery, & Motifs
Are there any metaphors or symbols I noticed?
What recurring symbols or images appear, and how do they evolve?
Do certain objects, places, or images take on layered meanings?
Are there visual or sensory motifs tied to certain characters or themes?
How do metaphors or allegories shape the story’s deeper meaning?
Do the motifs feel integrated or forced?
Do particular colours, sounds, or sensory details carry symbolic weight?
Are natural elements (weather, landscapes, animals, plants) used symbolically?
How do recurring images connect to the book’s themes or emotional arc?
Are there cultural, mythological, or historical references embedded in the imagery?
Do the symbols shift meaning depending on context or character perspective?
Are there contrasts or opposites in the imagery (light/dark, silence/noise, growth/decay)?
Does the imagery contribute to mood and atmosphere, or mainly serve a symbolic purpose?
Are certain images resolved or transformed by the end of the book?
Craft & Construction
How well do the different elements (plot, character, theme, setting) work together?
Are there moments that reveal the author’s particular strengths or weaknesses?
Does the book show signs of careful revision, or does it feel underdeveloped?
How does the book compare to others by the same author in terms of craft?
Does the book feel polished, experimental, or somewhere in between?
Does the book balance originality with accessibility?
Are there inconsistencies or contradictions that weaken the overall craft?
Does the author take risks in structure, voice, or content, and do they pay off?
How effective are transitions between scenes, chapters, or POVs?
Does the book’s length and scope feel right for what it’s trying to accomplish?
Context & Connection
Does the book remind me of anything else I’ve read or seen?
How does this reflect the time it was written or challenge it?
What do I know about the author, and how might that shape their perspective?
How would someone from a different background than my own read this differently?
How does my own cultural context shape what I notice?
How does this book converse with literary traditions or genres?
Does it echo historical events or cultural debates of its time?
Has this book influenced other works, or been influenced by them?
What intertextual references (myth, art, literature) can I identify?
Does the book challenge dominant cultural narratives or uphold them?
Could this story be told in another medium (film, stage, podcast)?
Interpretation & Reflection
How am I bringing my own biases and worldview into my reading?
Am I giving the text a fair chance, or am I dismissing it too quickly?
What was left unresolved or ambiguous? Do I think that was intentional?
How did my understanding shift as I kept reading?
Are any aspects of the story resonating differently now that I know how it ends?
Did the book leave me thinking or feeling something meaningful?
How does this book affect me emotionally, and why?
Do I feel manipulated, challenged, comforted, or unsettled?
How does the book engage with universal human experiences (love, grief, fear, hope)?
Would different readers (younger, older, different backgrounds) feel differently?
What questions is the book asking me to consider?
Were there any moments of brilliance or missed potential?
Did the author accomplish what they seemed to be trying to do?
Would I recommend this to someone else? And if so, what kind of reader?
Did my expectations change from beginning to end?
What is my primary interpretation of the text? Are there other interpretations of this book I could consider?
How might my interpretation change if I reread the book in the future?
What personal biases influenced how I read this?
Do I think this book will stay with me after finishing, or fade quickly?
What do I think I will remember most vividly about this book, and why?
I hope these questions help you to dive deeper into the books you read, develop your critical reading skills, and have even better conversations with other readers!
xox Elizabeth
