COMPOSING AN INDEPENDENT CRITIQUE OF A CHOSEN SELECTION

WHAT IS CRITIQUE?
- It is an in-depth evaluation of a story, novel, film or other reading/viewing materials for the
purpose of giving the public an insight into the text.
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- The key difference between the two is that a review can be compiled by anyone and
consists of a subjective opinion of a work, unlike a critique which is written by an expert
in the field with a technical comprehension.
Why do we need to critique a literary work?
- To know its overall value
- To determine its strengths and weaknesses.
NARRATIVE TEXTS
- Tells a story to entertain the reader.
- A narrative often includes an orientation, a conflict, and a resolution.
- A narrative is usually fiction or a made-up story.
EXAMPLES:
short stories, novels, fables, fairy tales, legends, myths, etc.
SHORT STORY
• It is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting.
• It has few characters.
What are the elements that make a critique so informative?
Elements of narrative
1. Characterization
- The process by which a writer creates a character
Characters
- are the doer in the story.
- It is said that the heart of the story are the characters.
Main types of characters
A. PROTAGONIST
- is the main character of the story involved in the main conflict
- they usually undergo changes throughout the story
B. ANTAGONIST
- is the force in opposition of the protagonist.
- it may be a person, the nature, the society, or any intangible matter that creates a
problem to the protagonist.
2. Setting
- The place and time when the story happens.
- It may be based on real place and real time or it may also base on the author’s
imagination.
3. Conflict
- The problem which the main characters need to solve.
- Dramatic struggle between two forces in story.
Types of conflict
1. External conflict
- the character’s problem is caused by the people or things around him.
2. Internal conflict
- the character’s problem is caused by his limitations and weaknesses.
SUBTYPES OF CONFLICT
A. PERSON VS PERSON ( external conflict )
- A couple going through a divorce
B. PERSON VS SELF (internal conflict )
- Protagonist wrestling with depression
C. PERSON VS NATURE (external conflict )
- Protagonist trying to survive a natural disaster
D. PERSON VS SOCIETY (external conflict )
- Protagonist fighting for civil rights
4. Plot
- A literary element that describes the structure of a story.
- It is an organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story.
 - it consists of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement.
EXPOSITION
- Is the beginning of the story
- The setting and characters were being introduced
RISING ACTION
- It is the part when the protagonist faces crises or unstable state.
CLIMAX
- The most exciting part of a short story
- The turning point of the story
FALLING ACTION
- Reveals the consequences, either good or bad, the characters need to deal with after
the turning point of events.
- The excitement becomes less and less as the conflict is resolved.
RESOLUTION/DENOUEMENT
- The ending, conclusion; all loose ends are tied up.
- Tells what happens to the characters after the problem or conflict is being resolved.
5. Dialogue
- Is the talking characters do.
- A written composition in which two or more characters are represented as
conversing
6. Theme
- is the central message or life lesson the author wants to get across through literary
work
7. Style
- this element refers to the way the writer uses language including diction, voice,
tone, sentence style, etc.
- paying attention to these details allows the reader to identify how and why word
choice and sentence style, etc. can help create the effect and meaning of the story.
PARTS OF A CRITIQUE

INTRODUCTION
- State the title of the work and the author’s name (OBJECTIVE)
- Outline the main ideas and identify the author’s thesis. (OBJECTIVE)
- State your thesis statement and your main idea about the work. (Your own conclusion)
(SUBJECTIVE)
SUMMARY
- Summarize the text in your own words. (OBJECTIVE)
ANALYSIS (SUBJECTIVE)
- State what you like and do not like about the text.
- Interpret and evaluate the text based on:
* How the text is organized
* The style and rhetoric
* How effective the message is
* Whether or not the author did justice to the message
* How the text appealed to its target audience
CONCLUSION (SUBJECTIVE)
- Restate your thesis in new words
- Summarize your main ideas, if possible, with new and stronger words
- Include a call to action
REMEMBER!
1. Avoid introducing your ideas by stating “I think” or “In my opinion” because this
weakens the analysis.
2. Always introduce the work. Do not assume that the readers know what you are writing
about and that you don’t need to mention some details anymore.
3. To be able to write a good critique and help readers understand the story, you yourself
should know well what you are writing about.