Barksdale, Scott T. “Good Readers Make Good Historians: "Can we just settle it on 'a lot of people died'?".” (2013)

This article presents discussion regarding the skill of critical reading in historical study. The author asserts that reading is a primary element of historical inquiry and that advanced reading skills which go beyond basic elementary-level comprehension should be taught to students. The elementary teaching paradigms of "learn to read" and "read to learn" are challenged as over simplistic. Subjects such as inferring meaning, exploring the text for specific information, and mediating ideas are discussed in turn as key aspects of both teaching history and guiding effective reading strategies in students.