Reading as a Believer and a Doubter

In order to read and respond to arguments with intelligence and precision, we must actually be able to hear what the author is saying. In order to ensure full and fair comprehension, you should try to read everything you encounter—regardless of your own position—from two standpoints: Read first as a ‘believer’—suspending (as much as you

can) your judgment of the author’s views, and trying to place yourself in his or her shoes.

Next, read critically, as a ‘doubter’—questioning and finding gaps in the author’s logic, challenging his or her assumptions and even values, and just generally withholding, rather than granting, your assent. This means you will read each draft twice and you should be able to say different things each time.

Read this article about facebook first as a believer and then as a doubter. Post one paragraph on your blog detailing how you read this piece first as a believer and what the piece argued and and how it made that argument. Next post a second paragraph detailing how you intrepreted those same elements when reading the peice as a doubter.

This is due THURS JAN 22nd before class.