Guidelines for Nonfiction Critiques

https://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/guidelines-for-nonfiction-critiques/

Here are the steps to follow when doing a thorough critique of nonfiction:

1. Overall Impressions:  Evaluate the work as a reader.

a. Content: Does it open with something that captures your attention and makes you want to keep

reading? Does the pace seem appropriate for the type of information being covered? Can you clearly

identify the subject or main idea? Is the main idea supported by evidence, anecdotes, interviews,

viewpoints, or some other method?

b. 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?

c. Format: Is it following standard submission guidelines for that type of work, or is it tailored

towards guidelines of a specific market? Is it organized logically, so the reader can follow the

development of the topic or progression of the events?

  

2. The Mechanics:  Evaluate the work for structural strengths and weaknesses.

a. 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? Does the

choice of words feel appropriate? Is the information presented in a way that the target audience will

find easy to understand? Does the conclusion summarize the main points effectively, or bring the work

to a satisfying end?

b. Grammar: Are there obvious mistakes in grammar and spelling? Are there too many clichés in the

narrative or dialog?

c. 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?

 http://www.ahml.info/attend/nonfiction-critique-guidelines

NONFICTION CRITIQUE GUIDELINES

 What is the main idea the writer is trying to get across?
 Is the writer trying to be humorous, serious, straightforward, etc? Does this emotion/tone work for
the piece?
 Who does the piece seem to be written for? Who is the audience?
 Does the writer give enough details and examples to illustrate what he/she is trying to get across?
Where are there good details? Where could more be given? Are there any places where the details
slowed your reading or bogged you down?
 Does the piece follow a logical order? Are there any places where you got lost? Are there details
that should be given earlier or later in the piece?
 What type of piece does the writing seem to be - an article, an essay, a column, a book or book
chapter?
 Overall, what did you like or not like about the piece?
 Keep in mind that nonfiction writers write for a variety of publications including magazines for
articles, online columns, newspaper editorials, etc. Try to put yourself into the mind of the audience to
make the best critiques.