Book and Article Critique

By Patricia D. Binungcal and Matthew Martinez

Book
A long written and printed/published literary
composition.
Article
A piece of writing included with others in a
publication. Usually covers a very specific topic.

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Book and Article Critique

‐ A critical analysis and evaluation of a

book and/or an article.

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Purpose of a Book/Article
Critique
‐ To evaluate the author and their work.
‐ To let readers know what the work is about
and its merits.

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How to Write a Book/Article Critique
‐ Be familiar with the article or book.
‐ Focus on how the work treats the topic/subject not the
topic/subject itself.
‐ Search relevant references to support your thesis and
argument.
‐ Examine the evidences presented.
‐ Present other ideas that need to be examined.
‐ Determine biases.

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Evaluative Criteria
‐ Accuracy of information
‐ Definition of key terms (or lack of)
‐ Clarity of language
‐ Fairness
‐ Logic and organization
‐ Common fallacies

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Elements of a Book/Article Critique
‐ Introduction
‐ Body
• Summary
• Critique
‐ Conclusion

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Introduction
‐ Should include the following:
• The work’s title and year of publication
• Author’s name
• Author’s main point
• This is where your main argument is
found

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Body
‐ Mainly includes the summary and evaluation of the piece.
Summary
• Explain further the main points.
• Brief summary of the book/article.
• If appropriate, the author’s background.
Critique/Evaluation
• Discusses both the negatives and the positives.
• Presents your judgments of the work with evidences.
• Expresses your opinion on how skillful the author is.

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Conclusion
‐ Gives the overall evaluation.
‐ It says whether the book is worth reading or not.
‐ Recommend which type of reader would likely
enjoy/benefit from the work.

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Reminders
‐ A critique is not about information but analysis and
persuasion.

• Book Report = it summarises the plot to the readers

• Book Critique = It analyses the critical points and its
attention to evaluation

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