LESSON 3: CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF A CRITIQUE

• Critiques are papers that assess or evaluate the merits of a piece of work
• Critiques should not focus on providing negative criticism
• A critique paper provides an accurate description of the work being evaluated by giving its summary
• The summary in a critique paper must explain background details, like answers to basic reporter questions of who, what, when, where, and why
• Using varied or more than one literary criticism theory will not be confusing for the readers
• Steps in Writing a Critique Paper:
• STEP 1: Know the nature of the assignment, subject/work, and its analytical elements

  • Consider answering questions about the people involved in creating the work, previous works done?
  • Intended audience
  • Event the work is part of
  • What the work is about? Different analytical elements.
  • Creator's purpose.
  • Where and when the work is staged or exhibited.
  • What makes it good or bad
• STEP 2: View or Experience the Assigned Subject

  • Annotate the text or take notes during viewing
• Introduction


  • Summary of the work being evaluated.
  • Background information.
  • May express the reviewer's thesis statement.
  • Starts with opening sentences that state the writer, the title and give a brief explanation of the topic of the text.
• STEP 3: Outline your Critique Paper

  • Introduction:
  • Summary of the work being evaluated
  • Background information
  • May express the reviewer's thesis statement
  • Body:
  • Supporting opinions to the overall judgement
  • Support to these opinions: details about the work being evaluated
  • Discusses and evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, and important features of the text
  • The discussion should be based on specific criteria and include other sources to support it
  • Conclusion:
  • A restatement (using different wording) of the overall judgement
• STEP 4: Draft and edit your work

  • Allot time to check grammar and mechanics
• Body

  • Supporting opinions to the overall judgement.
  • Support to these opinions: details about the work being evaluated.
  • Discusses and evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, and important features of the text.
  • The discussion should be based on specific criteria and include other sources to support it.
• Conclusion


  • A restatement (using different wording) of the overall judgement
  • Some final thoughts of the critic such as: suggested actions or thoughts on the significance or practical use of the work.
  • It can also include recommendations and some further explanation of the judgement to show that it is fair and reasonable.