Final answer:
To build understanding when reading an informational article, one should create a mental outline, consider the flow and organization, monitor personal reactions to the text, and understand the context. Formulating general questions after an initial reading is also vital in guiding one's critical analysis of the article.
Step-by-step explanation:
When engaging with an informational article for the first time, there are several questions a reader can ask to guide their understanding of the material. Initially, one should read the first sentence of each paragraph to discern if a clear outline emerges. Readers should contemplate if the flow can be improved and if the organization makes sense.
Creating a mental outline by examining the table of contents or headings is another strategy. For articles without headings, skimming the first and last paragraphs can reveal the main arguments and give direction to the reader's focus. As one reads, they should also monitor their personal reactions to the text—what strikes them as interesting, confusing, or noteworthy, and why these reactions are occurring.
To help structure these reflections, one might consider what the audience knows and needs to know to understand the argument. Knowledge of the subject matter's context, such as historical or scientific background, is essential for comprehension and critical engagement with the text.
Lastly, after an initial reading, it is beneficial to formulate general questions, such as identifying any tensions that could lead to a more in-depth discussion and analysis of the article.