How to read critically

1
How to read critically
Preparation for studying, note-taking, and
PHE202 tutorial presentations
2
Things to think about ...

• When reading and taking notes about an article,
  consider the following issues
• Full bibliographic reference
• Summary of the articles content (précis)
• What is the main theme/argument of the article?
• What evidence/sources does the author employ in
  making the argument?

3
Things to think about ... (contd)

• Does it make sense? Are you persuaded?
• Is the argument cogent/internally consistent?
• Is the evidence used wisely?
• Is there anything missing?
• What historical framework is the author using?
• What are the categories of analysis?

4
Things to think about ... (contd)

• What are the implications for our broad history?
• What does this case study suggest for the larger
  study of sport?
• How does this article fit into the themes of the
  course?
• What else is going on in Canada at the time? What
  are the interconnections with this reading?
• What are the implications for further
  research/study?

5
Sample Metcalfe on Montreal

• Full bibliographic reference
• Alan Metcalfe, Organized Sport and Social
  Stratification in Montreal 1840-1901, in
  Richard Gruneau and John Albinson (Eds.),
  Canadian Sport Sociological Perspectives (Don
  Mills Addison Wesley, 1976), pp. 77-101.
• Summary of content
• Theme/argument
• Evidence/sources
• Historical framework
• Implications of the broader study of Canadian
  history

6
The assignment

• For the student presenters
• Compare the approach taken and conclusions drawn
  about the making of Canadian sport by Alan
  Metcalfe with those of Nancy Bouchier?
• What were the economic and social forces that
  shaped and were shaped by the development of the
  sporting press?

7
Discussion questions for the class

• How do the readings demonstrate the role of
  social class in the making of Canadian sports?
• What stamp did the sporting press give to the
  making of Canadian sports?