CNF 1ST.

• Present a commentary/critique on a chosen creative nonfictional text


  1. Determine the guide questions in critiquing a text

  2. Identify the parts of a critique paper

  3. Recognize the aspects to consider in critiquing nonfictional text
• MECHANICS

  All the technical rules that make up grammar and syntax
• AUDIENCE


  The readers of the book, magazine, or newspaper
• GRAMMAR


  A set of actual or presumed prescriptive notions about correct use of a language
• CRITIQUE


  A detailed analysis and assessment of something
• Critique


  A French word derived from the Greek word kritike, meaning the ability to discern the worth of something. It is a feedback and personal assessment of what you read. It is a way of helping fellow writers improve.
• When you critique, you evaluate. As a reader and a critique, we ought not to judge to point out failings, and condemn the writer.
• Instead of condemning, recommend how to make those failings a success. The aim of the critique is to make the writing better.
• The opposite of this is a critic who only points out the weakness, but not the strength nor does he/she gives any suggestions for improvement.
• The most important guideline for a critique is to give an honest, constructive, and polite assessment of the writing. All comments should be about the content being written, not about the person writing them.
• Aspects to consider in critiquing nonfictional text


  • Overall impressions
  • Mechanics
• Overall impressions

  We consider the whole write-up, rather than just its details or just portions of the work
• Things to evaluate in overall impressions

  • Content
  • Audience
  • Format
• Content

  Does it open with something that captures your attention and that makes you want to keep on reading? Is the pace appropriate for the type of information being covered? Can you clearly identify the subject or main idea? Is the main idea supported by evidence, interviews, viewpoints, or some other methods?
• Audience


  Is it clear who the target audience is for the book, article, or essay? Is the tone, language, and reading level appropriate for that audience?
• Format

  Is it following standard submission guidelines for that type of work? Is it organized logically and the reader can follow the development of the topic or progression of the events?
• Mechanics to consider

  • Structure
  • Grammar
  • Extras
• Structure

  Were paragraphs and sentences appropriate in length for the type of information presented? Would varying their length add interest or adjust the pace more effectively? Did the choice of the words feel appropriate? Was the information presented in a way that the target audience will find easy to understand? Did the conclusion summarize the main points effectively?
• Grammar


  Are there obvious mistakes in grammar and spelling? Are there too many cliches in the narrative or dialogue?
• Extras


  If there are sidebars, charts, graphs, pictures, or other supporting documents, do they support the premise, theme, arguments, or hypothesis? Are they formatted properly and annotated in the body of the work?
• Before you start writing, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the work that will be critiqued.
• Parts of a Critique Paper


  • Introduction
  • Summary
  • Critical Evaluation
  • Conclusion
  • Reference list
• Introduction


  Name the work being reviewed as well as the date it was created and the name of the author/creator. Describe the main argument or purpose of the work. Explain the context in which the work was created. Have a concluding sentence that signposts what your evaluation of the work will be.
• Summary


  Briefly summarize the main points and objectively describe how the creator portrays these by using techniques, styles, media, characters or symbols.
• Critical Evaluation


  Give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was able to achieve the purpose through these. It should deconstruct the work and identify both strengths and weaknesses.
• Conclusion


  A statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work, summary of the key reasons why this evaluation was formed, and recommendations for improvement on the work may be appropriate.
• Reference List


  Include all resources cited in your critique, usually in American Psychological Association (APA) style.
• Critique is a French word derived from the Greek word kritike.
• Audience


  Readers of the book, magazine, or newspaper
• Grammar


  Set of actual or presumed prescriptive notions about correct use of language
• Mechanics


  All technical rules that make up grammar and syntax
• Critique


  French word derived from the Greek word "kritike" - ability to discern work of something, personal assessment of what you read, way of helping fellow writers improve, recommend how to make those failings to success, when you critique, you evaluate
• As a reader and critic, we ought not to judge to point out failings, and condemn the writer. The focus must be on the content not on the writer.
• The aim of critique is to make the writing better
• Aspects to consider in critiquing

  • Overall impressions
  • Mechanics
• Overall impressions


  Consider the whole written up, content, audience, format
• Mechanics


  Structural strengths and weaknesses, grammar, extras
• Need to do before writing a critique paper: study the work, make notes, develop an understanding, consider how the work relates
• Parts of a critique paper

  • Introduction
  • Summary
  • Critical evaluation
  • Conclusion
  • Reference list
• Introduction


  Short, less than 10% of the total paper, should input name of the work, date it was created, name of the author or creator, describe main argument, explain the context, signpost what your evaluation of the work will be