What is It

As you read and understand the featured Personal Narrative Essay, you have
somehow performed a personal assessment of creative nonfiction. The questions you
answered are actually detailed questions to consider when responding to a given
written work.

What is a Critique?
Critique is a systematic way of analyzing written words. It came from the
French word kritikē, which is the ability to decide the importance of something. It is
a form of giving reaction and personal assessment as feedback on what you read. By
critiquing, you are acquiring skills in reading and writing as well as helping fellow
writers to improve.
Although you may not be a professional writer, in peer-critiquing, by giving
your response, as the reader of a text, your feedback is acceptable and it will be
appreciated by the author as you can easily identify the strength and weakness of
their writing. Thus, comment objectively and respectfully.

EXTRA!

The sandwich method is a form of feedback that wraps

negative feedback in praise. This means that the feedback discussion starts with
positive comments, and is followed by negative criticism, before appreciative words
are used again. The aim of this method is to create a pleasant atmosphere for
discussion and to relax the severity of the negative criticism.

How do you critique?

In critiquing, regardless of the type of creative nonfiction, consider the

following:
1. Content: Consider the topic and the way the topic is developed like the clarity,
its scope, subcategories, amount and type of examples, anecdotes, evidence,
etc.
2. Organization: Consider the text introduced and concluded, whether the
thesis is located in the most helpful place (direct or implied), how it is
structured, whether the order or extent of development is successful, as well
as how individual paragraphs are organized (clear topic sentences,
appropriate and concrete evidence, logical organization of evidence).
3. Style: Style can refer to the overall style: whether the tone is appropriate
(humorous, serious, reflective, satirical, etc.), whether you use sufficient and
appropriate variety (factual, analytical, evaluative, reflective), whether you use
sufficient creativity.

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4. Correctness: Correctness refers to grammar, punctuation, and form of
creative nonfiction.

What are the steps in writing a mini critique?

1. Annotate as you read.
2. Note the writer’s main point or thesis statement.
3. Divide the text into sections of thought and write a summary of each thought
in your own words.

What are the parts of a mini critique?

INTRODUCTION
Start your mini critique with sentences giving the following information:
1. Writer’s name.
2. The title and the source if any.
3. Thesis statement.

SUMMARY
Summarize the author’s purpose and main points/evidence cited that are
used for back up.

EVALUATION
1. Develop an understanding of the main argument or purpose being expressed
in the work.
2. Consider how the work relates to a broader issue or context.
3. State whether the writer is successful in making his/her point.

CONCLUSION
You may wrap up your creative nonfiction mini critique by:
1. Stating whether you agree with the writer or what part of the text made an
impact and deep impression on you.
2. Back up your decisions on agreeing and disagreeing or state your reasons.
3. Give your general opinion of the work.