How to Write a Critical Essay (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Whether you are a college student or preparing to enter college, knowing how to write a critical essay will give you a considerable advantage throughout your academic and professional career. Writing a critical essay allows you to develop skills such as careful reading, technical research, and academic writing, as well as learning how to use references and carefully check spelling and grammar of your work. Learning these techniques will help you participate in academic discussions and give you the tools to think and communicate more deeply.

Steps

Step 1. Find out the topic of your essay as soon as possible to better plan your research

Step 2. Use a variety of research sources such as newspaper articles, books, encyclopedias and media resources

Collect more information than is necessary to use it as a reference as you write your essay, but don't be too distracting as you may stray from the main topic and end up putting everything into the work just because you've done some research. Don't use wikipedia for anything, and don't copy and paste other people's thoughts; no matter which site you got the information from, plagiarism is always discovered.

Step 3. Scroll through your sources to separate interesting information from irrelevant material

Useful information could be found in books, notes, and critical essays published in your field of interest. Do not do research on irrelevant subjects: for example, do not search for information on witches if the subject of your essay is the monarchy.

Step 4. Review the relevant material thoroughly and carefully

1. Highlight, underline, or otherwise mark each newspaper article or book (if they are yours). Use post-its in different colors to direct your attention to critical details of books from the library.

2. Summarize or outline each source after reading it. Write down the most important details and the central topic of the source for future reference.

   

   Step 5. Collect ideas for a thesis by reviewing your notes and material collected during the research

   You can choose to write a thesis draft or ask a critical question using your essay to answer.

   

   Step 6. Write a brief introduction, which you will eventually edit or rewrite later

   

   Step 7. Develop a draft based on your research notes

   1. Identify two or three main sections for your essay's body. These sections will include the most important parts of your argument.

   2. Use your notes and research material to add detail to the sections. You can copy and paste details or critical arguments into the draft.

      

      Step 8. Identify the connection between the sections of the essay and describe it briefly in the margins of the draft

      

      Step 9. Use this connection to write a summary conclusion

      

      Step 10. Set the essay aside for a few days before reviewing the draft

      

      Step 11. Give yourself enough time to do a thorough review that clarifies any confused arguments or reasoning

      

      Step 12. Complete the essay by printing a final draft and carefully reviewing spelling and grammar

      1. Use your imagination and make the introduction interesting for the reader.

      2. Write a clear thesis and use updated sources to enrich it with facts.

         Advice

         • It is often easier to write a brief introduction and then proceed with the rest of the essay before returning to it. If you feel lost and don't know how to open your essay, write a temporary introduction.
         • Realize that you will not have the material time to carefully read ten or twelve books on the chosen topic. Use the table of contents as a guide to search for relevant chapters.
         • Skim the topic as you go unless you continue with the writing process. Many students make the mistake of choosing a very broad subject in the hope of having a lot to say, but it is easier to write a lot about a specific topic. For example, writing an essay on why war in general is ethical or not would be virtually impossible. Conversely, dealing with the reasons why we should or should not continue a specific war is more manageable.
         • Try to start as soon as possible. You will work better - and be less stressed - if you write the essay over several days rather than in one session.
         • Make a first draft and give yourself a few days to review it.
         • If you struggle to structure your essay, write a new draft based on the key phrases in each paragraph. In the draft, write a sentence that explains the connection between those keys. If you can't explain the connection quickly, it means that the paragraphs need to be rearranged.
         • If you can't use proper language and grammar, print a copy of the essay and read it aloud, or at least in a quiet place. Pen all errors before returning to review on your computer.
         • Ask a friend, family member, or acquaintance to constructively review and comment on your essay. Professional writers produce several drafts of their work so you shouldn't be outdone too.
         • Work according to your method. For example, some need to draft while others find it hinders their writing skills. Try to figure out which method works for you and act accordingly.
         • Use your own words. It is better to use words you know correctly than to use inappropriate terms in an attempt to sound academic.

         Warnings

         • Remember to cite all your sources as accurately as possible, including citations, statistics, and theoretical concepts. If in doubt, it is better to quote one more than one less, as a lack could turn into an accusation of plagiarism.
         • Essays written at the last minute usually have logical gaps and poor language. Remember that your teacher has read hundreds, if not thousands of essays by his students and therefore knows how to recognize one written in a hurry.