Writing Assignments (x2): Critical Analysis

Students will have a total of two critical analysis papers, each

consisting of 5 8 pages, throughout this course.The purpose for
writing a critical analysis is to evaluate somebody's work in order
to increase understanding of it. A critical analysis is considered
subjective writing because it expresses your evaluation of someone
elses work. Analysis means to break down and study the parts.
Writing a critical paper requires two steps: critical reading and
critical writing.

Consider the following questions while engaging

in critical reading.
Who is the intended audience?
What is the author's purpose? To survey and
summarize research on a topic? To present an
argument that builds on past research? To refute
another writer's argument?
Does the author define important terms?
Is the information in the article fact or
opinion? (Facts can be verified, while opinions
arise from interpretations of facts.)
Does the information seem well-researched or is it
unsupported?
What are the author's central arguments or
conclusions? Are they clearly stated? Are they
supported by evidence and analysis?
If the article reports on an experiment or
study, does the author clearly outline methodology
and the expected result?
Is the article lacking information or
argumentation that you expected to find?
Is the article organized logically and easy to
follow?

Does the writer's style suit the intended

audience? Is the style stilted or unnecessarily
complicated?
Is the author's language objective or charged
with emotion and bias?
If illustrations or charts are used, are they
effective in presenting information?
Consider the following sample outline to begin
critical writing:
After the theoretical reading under analysis has
been carefully studied, the critique can be drafted
using this sample outline.
I. Background information to help audience
understand the nature of the work
A. Information about the work
1. Title
2. Author
3. Publication information
4. Statement of topic and purpose
B. Thesis statement indicating writer's main
understanding, synthesis and reaction to the work
II. Summary or description of the work
III. Interpretation and/or evaluation
A. Discussion of the work's organization
B. Discussion of the work's style
C. Effectiveness
D. Discussion of the topic's treatment
E. Discussion of appeal to a particular audience
Avoid introducing your ideas by stating "I think" or
"in my opinion." Keep the focus on the subject of

your analysis, not on yourself. Identifying your

opinions weakens them.
Always introduce the work. Do not assume that
because your reader knows what you are writing
about, you do not need to mention the work's title.
Other questions to consider:
Is there a controversy surrounding either the passage or the
subject which it concerns?

What about the subject matter is of current interest?

What is the overall value of the passage?

What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Support your thesis with detailed evidence from
the text examined. Do not forget to cite quotes and
paraphrases.
Remember that the purpose of a critical analysis is
not merely to inform, but also to evaluate the
worth, utility, excellence, distinction, truth,
validity, beauty, or goodness of something.
Your review should provide information,
interpretation, and evaluation. Avoid just writing
an opinion piece. The information will help your
reader understand the nature of the work under
analysis. The interpretation will explain the
meaning of the work, therefore requiring your
correct understanding of it. The evaluation will
discuss your opinions of the work and present
valid justification for them.
Use no less than five (5) primary source to support your
analysis. Use standard APA format, 12 point font, Times New
Roman, double spaced, 1 inch margins and you do not need to
include an abstract. All papers should be via Blackboard on the
scheduled date.