How to read a scholarly article in the humanities

This worksheet walks you through reading a typical article in the humanities.

Use the accompanying guide for support.

1. Abstract

An abstract is a short summary of the article that includes:

• the research question being addressed
• why it is worthwhile to conduct this study
• how the study was conducted
• the main findings of the study

If there is an abstract present, find the above elements and highlight them

2. Introduction

• includes citations and brief descriptions of  the main research contributions and knowledge on the topic
• Positions the author's approach to the topic and identifies their unique contributions ("they say this, I say this")

Highlight the first five (5) the citations (footnotes or in-text) you see in the paper.

Highlight where the author positions their approach to the topic.

3. Methods / Methodology

• Identifies how the author gathered the data analyzed in the study
• May discuss limitations of the study

Highlight where in the article the author describes the texts, theories or other primary sources they are analyzing.

4. Discussion

• Includes analysis of texts and other data the author uses to back up their claims
• Includes the results of their inquiry

Highlight one (1) finding in the body of the article.

5. Conclusion

• Restates the problem addressed in the paper
• Summarizes key takeaways from the research
• Discusses the significance and implications of the research
• Based upon these findings, suggests new approaches for studying the problem

Highlight, when present, the elements above in the concluding section of the article.

6. Works cited / References

• List of research cited in the paper

Choose a citation from this list and go back into the article to find where it was cited.