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What is a critique?

A critique is a response to a body of work, be it a performance,


concept, argument, scholarly article, poem or book.
If you write a critique, you can present your opinion of the work
or provide an alternative opinion. Critiques typically include the
following:
Types of critiques
Regardless of which type of critique you write, you
may structure it similarly. However, it's important to
consider your audience before you begin. Here are
three types of critiques you might write:
Academic critique
Typically, students are the authors of academic
critiques. If you're a student, a professor may ask you
to critique something that pertains to your course. For
example, if you're writing a critique in a composition
course or in response to a work of art, it's often called
a response paper. If you are reviewing another
student's work, it may be called a peer response. It's
most common to write these critiques in academic
settings, especially in English-related classes or
courses.
1. Determine the criteria
Before you write your critique, it's helpful to first
determine the criteria for the critique. If it's an
assignment, your professor may include a rubric for
you to follow. Examine the assignment and ask
questions to verify your understanding of the
guidelines.
Most critiques require you to thoroughly evaluate the
work you are critiquing rather than simply
summarizing it. Knowing the criteria ensures you
cover all aspects needed to successfully critique a
piece or composition.

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