{"id":6589,"date":"2018-12-10T17:00:13","date_gmt":"2018-12-11T01:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/blog\/?post_type=essay-writing-blog&p=6589"},"modified":"2018-11-18T15:24:01","modified_gmt":"2018-11-18T23:24:01","slug":"how-to-write-a-critique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/essay-writing-blog\/how-to-write-a-critique\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Critique (That Doesn’t Suck)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re assigned to write a critique and your first thought is, “I have absolutely no idea how to write a critique,”<\/i> that\u2019s understandable.<\/p>\n

But in all actuality, you probably already have a sense of how to critique.<\/p>\n

Need proof?<\/p>\n

Think about trying a new corner deli. The first time you visit, you evaluate the deli based on all sorts of things, such as the sandwich selection, cleanliness, atmosphere, and location.<\/p>\n

Based on your dining experience that day, you critique the deli.<\/p>\n

When you buy a new phone, you\u2019re also completing a critique. You evaluate the phone based not only on its price but also on its features, such as its camera, battery life, and storage capabilities.<\/p>\n

See? You\u2019re already critiquing things. Your task now is simply to transfer your well-honed critiquing skills to a formal, academic essay and actually write<\/i> a critique.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how you do it.<\/p>\n

How to Write a Critique (That Doesn’t Suck)<\/h2>\n

I know writing can be stressful. Writing a type of essay that you\u2019ve never tackled before can be even more stressful. But remember, you already know how to critique<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Simply translate your skills into writing, and follow these two basic steps to learn how to write a critique successfully.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Know your purpose for writing a critique<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a given that you\u2019re writing a critique because your prof assigned it, but that\u2019s not what I mean when I say \u201cknow your purpose.\u201d In this case, I mean that you need to know the purpose for the critique itself.<\/p>\n

Nonfiction critique<\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s say you\u2019re critiquing an article about poverty. The information you include will change depending on your purpose for the critique.<\/p>\n

For example, let’s say you\u2019re writing a sociology paper, and the purpose of your critique is to evaluate an article to determine whether it\u2019s a useful research source<\/a>. To do so, you might examine the writer\u2019s arguments<\/a>, evidence<\/a>, and logic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you\u2019re in a linguistics class and you\u2019re critiquing the same <\/i>article, your purpose might be to evaluate how well the writer uses language to convey his\/her message. In this case, you might evaluate the tone<\/a>, word choices<\/a>, and sentence structures.<\/p>\n

Literary critique<\/h4>\n

Knowing your purpose for writing a critique is also crucial if you\u2019re in a lit class. Your critique of a novel, such as Fahrenheit 451,<\/i> will change depending on your purpose for the critique.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re writing a literary analysis<\/a> (or literary criticism) about Fahrenheit 451<\/i>, your purpose might be to evaluate the novel and examine how it fits into the dystopian<\/a> genre of literature.<\/p>\n

In this case, you might look for elements such as a ruler or oppressor, a protagonist who fights to change society, and an ending that leaves readers wondering about the future of current society.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you\u2019re reading the same <\/i>piece of literature and studying theme, your purpose might be to evaluate Fahrenheit 451<\/i><\/a> and write about the themes of technology or literature.<\/p>\n

The takeaway: <\/b>Your purpose for writing a critique will determine which elements of the work you\u2019ll actually critique.<\/p>\n

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Your purpose for writing a critique determines what elements you\u2019ll actually critique.<\/a><\/div>\n

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If you\u2019re not sure why <\/i>you\u2019re writing the critique, check your assignment guidelines<\/a>. And if you\u2019re still unsure after that, ask your prof for clarification.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Determine key points to critique<\/h3>\n

Now that you know that your purpose for writing a critique will determine what <\/i>you critique, how do you decide what is or isn’t important to evaluate? Here\u2019s what to look for.<\/p>\n

Nonfiction critique<\/h4>\n

In a nonfiction critique, you\u2019re evaluating what the author has written and how he\/she presents information.<\/p>\n

Here are a few questions you might ask yourself as you complete your nonfiction critique:<\/b><\/p>\n