Oh hi there! Yeah you!

I am your book-
worm buddy and I will be your countable
teacher LODI. Today, tomorrow and
…..hopefully not until graduation, we’ll be
accompanying one another. I’ll teach you
some lessons, you do me a favor in re-
turn through carefully answering the
activities along the way. Your outputs
made and submitted will turn me happy
and my tummy! Are you ready? Let’s
begin…...

Lesson 1: The Critique

Warm –up Activity: Versus

Below are 2 sets of image with two choices each. I want you to pick a choice for every set and give a reason
for each choice. You may answer question like: Why did I choose/prefer one over the other?
1.

VS.

2.

VS.
 Yey! Thank you for your honest answers. My heart is full.
Hopefully, you are not yet tired because we are just beginning.
Obviously, our warm-up activity has something to do with our lesson.
That is about “Critique” and its What, Why and How.
To start our lesson, I would like you to carefully read the inclusions of
our discussion below.
Don’t get sleepy, it’s only I who can……
See ‘ya later!

DISCUSSION

What is a “critique”?
Noun: An analysis and evaluation of a subject, situation, literary work, etc.
Verb: To analyze and evaluate a subject, situation, literary work, etc.
(Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition)

Take note of the words

detailed, strengths,
weaknesses, careful
judgment, standards,
criteria and principles.

We probably won’t
want to miss these as
we do a critique!

Relating this to our subject, a critique is an opinion, supported by evidence, about themes, setting,
symbols, and other elements of a nonfiction piece.
Example:
Opinion: Reading is the best hobby for me.
Evidence: Study shows that reading fiction can increase your capacity for empathy, through the
process of seeing the world through a relatable character. Reading has been found to reduce stress
as effectively as yoga. It is being prescribed for depression – a treatment known as bibliotherapy.
Describe: gives the reader a sense of the writer’s purpose
Analyze: examine how the structure and language of the text convey meaning
Interpret: state the significance or importance of each part of the text
Assess: make a judgment of the work’s worth or value

CRITIQUE versus CRITICIZE

CRITIQUE CRITICIZE

• Well– rounded • One– sided

• Strengths and weaknesses • Point out faults
• Examine and analyze • Destroy
• Provide perspective

➢ CRITIQUE PARAGRAPH— Let us now know the structure of our

critique
1. Topic sentence– argument
a. State the argument for the entire paragraph. It could be a description, analysis,
interpretation, or assessment of the work. You may begin by stating the author’s
name and title.
Topic Sentence Ideas :
* What did you like about it?
* What is the theme of the [piece?
* What do you think about the character/s?
* What imagery or symbols stand out to you?
2. Evidence and explanation– Parts of the story that prove your point.
You may use intext citations or summaries as pieces of evidence. Make sure to explain
the importance of your evidence after presenting it.
3. Concluding sentence— Reinforces your topic sentence. Reminds your readers about
the argument you are trying to prove. Provides the closure we all need.
Read the excerpt of the story by Jennifer Anderson “ Dance Me to the End”.

Four o’clock on a Friday afternoon. My grandmother slumps against the arm of the sofa, eyes half-
closed, sinking down, down, down. The tips of her fingers graze the floor, and she moves them
about, grasping at some hidden thing she keeps secret. Today is no different. She has just turned
ninety. The dementia, the vision and hearing loss have made her close in on herself. She seldom
speaks unless prompted. Her responses are brief. Yes. No. I suppose. Some days she parts her lips
as if to talk. Gulping air, a terrible fish. She cannot find the words at all.

She wraps her arms around me and rests her head on my shoulder. Dean Martin sings another
standard, and we begin to sway. I rub her back, the sharp wings of her shoulders. She presses her
cheek against the pulse in my throat. My baby, she murmurs. Beside us, there is a mirror on the
bureau. I don’t need to look. We lean into each other, my grandmother and I, as if we have always
moved together this way, holding each other so tight that we become one.

Now, study the example critique below and notice how the critic makes use of the topic sentence,
evidence and explanation and concluding sentence.
Jennifer Anderson’s “ Dance Me to the End” explores the theme of love defying old age.
Throughout the story, the grandmother is depicted as helpless and has difficulty speaking be-
yond “Yes. No. I suppose.” The author describes her as a “terrible fish” gulping for air, her old
age restricting her speech.
However, towards the end, the grandmother expressed her affection towards the author with
endearment, “my baby” as they held each other tight and danced. The grandmother defied the
limitations of old age to express her love.

For your activity, write a short critique of the story “We

Used to Be” by Kit Nadado. Make sure to include the topic
sentence, evidence/s and explanation and concluding sen-
tence.
Goodluck and see you soon on our next episode of learning!