Writing a critique:
What is a critique?
A critique is a genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes and critically evaluates a work or concept. Critiques can be used to carefully analyze a variety of works such as:
• Creative works – novels, exhibits, film, images, poetry. • Research – monographs, journal articles, systematic reviews, theories. • Media – news reports, feature articles
Like an essay, a critique uses a formal, academic writing style and has a clear structure, that is, an introduction, body and conclusion. However, the body of a critique includes a summary of the work and a detailed evaluation. The purpose of an evaluation is to gauge the usefulness or impact of a work in a particular field.
Why do we write critiques?
Writing a critique on a work helps us to develop:
• A knowledge of the work’s subject area or related works. • An understanding of the work’s purpose, intended audience, development of argument, structure of evidence or creative style. • A recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.
How to write a critique?
Before you start writing, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the work that will be critiqued.
• Study the work under discussion. • Make notes on key parts of the work. • Develop an understanding of the main argument or purpose being expressed in the work. • Consider how the work relates to a broader issue or context.
There are a variety of ways to structure a critique. You should always check your unit materials or blackboard site for guidance from your lecturer. The following template, which showcases the main features of a critique, is provided as one example.
Introduction
Typically, the introduction is short (less than 10% of the word length) and you should:
• 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. This could include the social or political context, the place of the work in a creative or academic tradition, or the relationship between the work and the creator’s life experience.
• Have a concluding sentence that signposts what your evaluation of the work will be. For instance, it may indicate whether it is a positive, negative, or mixed evaluation.
Homework help – Summary
Briefly summarize the main points and objectively describe how the creator portrays these by using techniques, styles, media, characters or symbols. This summary should not be the focus of the critique and is usually shorter than the critical evaluation.
Critical evaluation
This section should 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. For example: you would assess the plot structure, characterization and setting of a novel; an assessment of a painting would look at composition, brush strokes, color and light; a critique of a research project would look at subject selection, design of the experiment, analysis of data and conclusions.
A critical evaluation does not simply highlight negative impressions. It should deconstruct the work and identify both strengths and weaknesses. It should examine the work and evaluate its success, in light of its purpose.
Examples of key critical questions that could help your assessment include:
• Who is the creator? Is the work presented objectively or subjectively? • What are the aims of the work? Were the aims achieved? • What techniques, styles, media were used in the work? Are they effective in portraying the purpose? • What assumptions underlie the work? Do they affect its validity? • What types of evidence or persuasion are used? Has evidence been interpreted fairly? • How is the work structured? Does it favour a particular interpretation or point of view? Is it effective? • Does the work enhance understanding of key ideas or theories? Does the work engage (or fail to engage) with key concepts or other works in its discipline?
This evaluation is written in formal academic style and logically presented. Group and order your ideas into paragraphs. Start with the broad impressions first and then move into the details of the technical elements. For shorter critiques, you may discuss the strengths of the works, and then the weaknesses. In longer critiques, you may wish to discuss the positive and negative of each key critical question in individual paragraphs.
To support the evaluation, provide evidence from the work itself, such as a quote or example, and you should also cite evidence from related sources. Explain how this evidence supports your evaluation of the work.
Conclusion
This is usually a very brief paragraph, which includes:
• A statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work.
• A summary of the key reasons, identified during the critical evaluation, why this evaluation was formed.
• In some circumstances, recommendations for improvement on the work may be appropriate.
Reference list
Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include all resources cited in your critique. Check with your lecturer/tutor for which referencing style to use.
Checklist for a critique
Have I:
Mentioned the name of the work, the date of its creation and the name of the creator?
Accurately summarized the work being critiqued?
Mainly focused on the critical evaluation of the work?
Systematically outlined an evaluation of each element of the work to achieve the overall purpose?
used evidence, from the work itself as well as other sources, to back and illustrate my assessment of elements of of the work?
formed an overall evaluation of the work, based on critical reading?
used a well structured introduction, body and conclusion?
used correct grammar, spelling and punctuation; clear presentation; and appropriate referencing style?
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GUIDELINES
To write media critique and in-class discussion of media “round up”, you will be responsible for finding and thinking about one item relevant to human biology that we can discuss in class. This may be a news item on a recent medical study, a podcast on human evolution, or even a movie or TV show. Each of the Media Critiques you write is expected to demonstrate critical thinking: you should aim to draw on knowledge you have gained throughout your learning experience of Human Biology to more carefully reflect on contemporary issues from the world around you.
Structure your Media Critique by answering the following questions:
• Article Title, Author, Publication, Date, Site, Link, etc. • What was interesting about this piece? Why did you choose it? • How did the piece relate to your own knowledge and/or your course work? • Was the piece flawed or biased in any way? • Were biological and social phenomena integrated into the piece? • Did the piece change your thinking in any way?
Media Critique Grading Rubric Media Critiques will be graded as “Complete” when they satisfy all of the following:
• Handed in on time • Is appropriate in length (one-paged typed, single spaced) • Clearly states the media being critiqued • Is written in standard, grammatical English with few typos (preferably none) • Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include s some element of critical commentary.
Instructions
– Watch the social dilemma on Netflix.
– Assignment Help – Summarize your thoughts on the piece and write a one-page (double-spaced) critique, one-third of which should be summary and two-thirds of which should be critique.
– You will have to write succinctly and choose your words carefully.
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‼️I need help writing my essay – research paper do not make this paper wordy by repeating information or by writing unnecessary or irrelevant information. I need help writing my essay – research paper make sure that you write about important details, rather than writing generally about basic information. I need help writing my essay – research paper proof read the paper, make no grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes. “Do not waste your reader’s time” write intelligently by providing right and important information. You cannot use any source other than what I’ve provided and mentioned. Do not get or copy paste anything from google and please write in your own words. Ace my homework – Write a plagiarism free paper. In the end please submit your turnitin report.
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