Read through the text completely. Before you can think critically about the activities given for the text, you must first understand the reading material. Take your time and read thoroughly through the material. For parents who are helping their children, read the text aloud to help the child comprehend the material.
Read the critical thinking activity given in the text. Determine what you are looking for, such as what statement or question the text is asking.
Research the information further. Seek out other opinions on the topic. Critical thinking requires you to understand both the information in the text and the idea that others might differ in their opinions about the topic. Unless the information is impossible to debate, such as a scientific reading about the parts of a cell or the organs of the body, you should find further information. Look for other texts on the subject or read about the topic online or in magazines or books.
Re-read the activity question. Consider what you've researched and what the text says about the topic. Critical thinking requires you to spend time evaluating the information and putting it into context with your own view of the world and previous experiences.
Draw your conclusions. Make a decision about what you think is true. You might conclude that the text is accurate based on the research, or you might decide that you disagree with the text because your experience and your research suggest another answer is more accurate.