But is Art

Explanation of Issues

Issue/problem to be considered critically is stated clearly and described comprehensively, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding.

What is the issue or question for this chapter? Is it stated clearly? If not, what is unclear about it?

Evidence

Selecting and using information to investigate a point of view or conclusion

Information is taken from source(s) with enough interpretation/evaluation to develop a comprehensive analysis or synthesis. Viewpoints of experts are questioned thoroughly.

What are the primary sources for this chapter?

What are the secondary sources?

Are the secondary sources appropriate? How do you know?

Are the secondary sources taken as givens/absolutes? Or, does the author engage with them in an interrogative way?

Influence of Context and Assumptions

Thoroughly (systematically and methodically) analyzes own and others’ assumptions and carefully evaluates the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

What is the context(s) for this chapter?

What assumption(s) is revealed in this chapter?

To what extent are the contexts and assumptions evaluated? Relevant? Questioned?

Author’s position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis)

Specific position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) is imaginative, taking into account the complexities of an issue. Limits of position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) are acknowledged. Others’ points of view are synthesized within position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis).

What is the author’s position?

Does it engage with the complexities of the issue?

Are its limitations acknowledged? If so, how?

Are others’ points of view incorporated into the author’s position?

Conclusions and related outcomes (implications and consequences)

Conclusions and related outcomes (consequences and implications) are logical and reflect author’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

What does the author conclude?

What are the implications for this chapter (i.e., so what?)? What do we learn?