15-Minute AI Reading Routine
Go deep in 15 minutes: full SQ3R plus critical analysis prompts for assumption hunting and evidence evaluation.
When Comprehension Isn’t Enough
The 5-minute routine helps you understand what an author says. The 10-minute routine helps you remember it. But neither asks the crucial question: Should you believe it?
The 15-minute reading routine adds critical analysis. It’s designed for persuasive writing — opinion pieces, business cases, research summaries, policy recommendations, and anything else that’s trying to change your mind or guide your decisions.
The extra five minutes come from one addition: assumption hunting. Every argument rests on foundations the author doesn’t state. Finding those foundations tells you whether the argument applies to your situation, where it might break down, and what the author hopes you won’t notice.
The 15-Minute Steps
Minutes 1-3 — Survey & Question: Use PR001 to scan the article and activate prior knowledge. Use PR002 to generate guiding questions from the opening paragraph. This is identical to the 5-minute routine — you’re preparing your brain for focused reading.
Minutes 4-10 — Deep Read: Seven minutes of focused reading. With your questions in mind, read the full article. But add one layer: notice where the author makes claims, uses evidence, or reveals their perspective. Mental note-taking, not physical — you’re looking for the “thesis moment” and the supporting structure.
Minutes 11-12 — Review & Consolidate: Use PR005 to write your understanding and check accuracy. What are the key takeaways? What questions remain? This consolidation step works the same as in the 10-minute routine.
Minutes 13-15 — Critical Analysis: Here’s where the 15-minute routine earns its name. Use PR020 (The Assumption Hunter) to excavate what the author assumes you already believe. What evidence is presented versus assumed? What alternatives weren’t considered? Who would find this convincing, and who wouldn’t?
The assumption-hunting step isn’t about proving the author wrong. It’s about understanding the conditions under which their argument holds. An argument can be perfectly valid — for readers who share the author’s assumptions. PR020 helps you see whether you’re in that group.
Why Assumption Hunting Matters
Every argument assumes its audience. A business article might assume you value growth over stability. A health article might assume you have access to certain resources. A political piece might assume certain values. When you share those assumptions, the argument feels obviously true. When you don’t, it feels obviously wrong. PR020 makes these invisible assumptions visible.
“What evidence is presented vs. assumed?” separates fact from belief. Authors often present conclusions as if they flow inevitably from the evidence — but the connection usually requires you to accept unstated premises. Finding the gap between evidence and conclusion is the core critical reading skill.
“What alternative explanations does the author not consider?” reveals the author’s blind spots. Every explanation excludes others. Sometimes the exclusion is justified — the alternatives really are weaker. Sometimes it’s strategic — the author is steering you away from uncomfortable possibilities. You can’t evaluate without seeing what’s missing.
For deeper critical reading techniques, explore the Critical Reading pillar. For the foundation this routine builds on, see the full AI for Reading hub.
Progress through the routines: 5 minutes → 10 minutes → 15 minutes. Each level builds on habits formed at the previous level. Don’t jump straight to 15 minutes — the critical analysis step is only effective after you’ve mastered basic comprehension and retention. Start with 5-minute daily practice for 2-3 weeks before graduating.
What Deserves 15 Minutes?
Not everything needs critical analysis. Save the 15-minute routine for content that’s trying to persuade you: opinion pieces and editorials, persuasive business writing, research summaries where the author draws conclusions from data, policy recommendations, and anything you plan to act on or share with others.
Use the 5-minute or 10-minute routines for straight news reporting, factual explainers, entertainment reading, and reference material. The critical lens is powerful, but it’s also work. Apply it where it matters.
The goal isn’t skepticism for its own sake. It’s calibrated trust — knowing when to accept, when to question, and when to seek more information before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Think Critically. Read Deeply.
Build assumption-hunting skills with diverse, challenging content. Practice on articles designed to sharpen your critical reading abilities.
Join the Course — ₹2,499 →Ready to Read Critically?
You now have the complete routine ladder: 5 → 10 → 15 minutes. Start at 5, build the habit, and graduate when you’re ready. Deep reading is a skill — practice makes permanent.
Reading Coach Pillar
