Which reading strategy focuses on identifying the author's arguments?

The focus of identifying the author's arguments aligns closely with critical reading. This strategy involves engaging with the text on a deeper level, which includes analyzing the author's reasoning, evaluating the strength of their claims, and understanding the evidence provided to support those claims. In critical reading, readers assess the overall effectiveness of the author's arguments and consider how those arguments are constructed.

By employing critical reading techniques, a reader is not just passively absorbing information but is actively questioning and reflecting on the text. This enables them to discern the nuances of the author's position and understand the implications of the arguments presented. This approach is essential for readers who aim to evaluate texts critically, such as in academic settings or when making informed decisions based on written materials.

In contrast, summarization would focus on concisely restating the text's main ideas, speed reading emphasizes quickly getting through the text often at the cost of comprehension, and skimming involves glancing over the text to get a general idea without engagement in deeper understanding or argument identification.