The article focuses on the structure of pre-translation analysis of the ST by exploring criteria, whose detailed consideration enables the translator to gain a general insight into the content and linguistic features of the original. To develop an optimal translation strategy, it is makes sense to take the following steps: study the translation brief; which usually contains information about the imprint of the text and its readership, the purpose and method of its translation into another language, recommendations regarding the translation of specific lexical units; understand the subject matter and purpose of the source text, which is possible due to the translator’s familiarity with this theme; define its genre and think about the ways of retaining the distinctive features of the original in its translated version; analyze the organization and logic of the source text content, and if any discrepancies with the norms of the source language are discovered, determine the possibilities of eliminating them in the translation; identify lexical, grammatical and stylistic peculiarities of the original version, which should be presented in the translated text; indicate cultural references, whose adequate translation can be performed by means of a linguaculturological approach; consider the format of the text, namely, its layout, boundaries, the use of paralinguistic devices, and check whether this format should be reproduced in the translated text. The mentioned above points indicate that pre-translation analysis can be considered as a macro-strategy that forms the basis for the development and further implementation of a micro-strategy for translating the text. For this reason, the proposed algorithm for gaining the holistic appreciation of the source text can become an important part of training future translators, since a clearly structured, logically consistent form of presentation of the results of pre-translation analysis will enable students to effectively prioritize the order of tackling challenges when rendering certain units of translation. At the same time, they will have an opportunity to rationally manage their intellectual and time resources.