The critique of a literary or scientific article is an objective analysis that highlights, with reasonable, relevant and fact-based arguments, the way in which the author supports the main passages of his study. It's easy to find yourself drawing up a simple summary without analyzing and questioning a job. A good critique highlights the impressions that emerged during the reading by providing numerous supporting evidence. So, take the time to read an article carefully, prepare evidence and arguments, and write clearly and convincingly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Read actively
Step 1. Read the article once to get the main idea
The first time you read the article, all you have to do is grasp the general argument that the author is trying to develop, in other words his main thesis.
Step 2. Take notes as you reread it
Sometimes it is helpful to use a red pen to mark important passages. Ask yourself the following questions during the second reading:
- What is the author's thesis?
- What purpose does it have in defending his thinking?
- What kind of audience is it aimed at? Can you actually reach it?
- Does it offer extensive and valid evidence?
- Are there any gaps in your thesis?
- Does it present evidence incorrectly or is it biased?
- Does it come to a conclusion?
Step 3. Create a code for your review
Choose various symbols to identify the most confusing, important, or inconsistent passages of the text.
- For example, you might underline the most important passages, circle the most confusing ones, and mark inconsistencies with stars.
- A symbol scheme will allow you to quickly mark text. Although it will take you some time to recognize them, you will soon get used to using them and will be able to analyze the text more quickly.
Step 4. Take more detailed notes when reading the second or third time
In addition to using a symbol code, you may want to take notes as you read and get some ideas. For example, if you believe that an author's claim can be refuted by a scientific study you have read in the past, write a note in the margin of the page, on another piece of paper, or on the computer, so that you can develop it at the appropriate time.
- Do not think that you will remember when you have to write your critique.
- Take your time to write down your observations as you read. You will need them when you need to turn them into an analytical text.
Step 5. Work out the preliminary concepts on which to base your critique
Form a vague opinion of the text to be evaluated. Read the article a couple of times, then evaluate the author's general thesis and take note of your initial impressions.
List the sources to use. Try to remember the material you have read or the filmed documents you have seen that could be used to evaluate the contents of the article
Part 2 of 3: Collect the Data
Step 1. Ask yourself if the author's overall message follows linear logic
Examine his main hypothesis and compare it to other similar examples.
- It analyzes the message based on its functionality and application in the real world, although the author conducted research citing valid experts in their field.
- Review the premises and conclusions to make sure they are compelling and complementary to the elements in the article.
Step 2. Look for any biases, whether they are intended or not
If the writer has anything to gain from the conclusions demonstrated in his study, it is possible that he was not entirely impartial.
- Among the biases consider: ignoring the elements that prove the contrary, making inappropriate use of testimonies in order to distort real and concrete results, providing opinions that have no basis on other studies. It is not a problem to present very articulate opinions, but those that are not based on research must be considered with skepticism.
- Bias can also be the result of prejudices. So, pay attention to those that relate to ethnicity, gender, social background, or political views.
Step 3. Consider the author's interpretation of other texts
If he makes a claim about another researcher's work, read the original article he refers to and see if you agree with his analysis. Of course, you don't have to agree, but try to figure out if its interpretation is acceptable.
- Note any inconsistencies between your interpretation of the text and that of the author. Such objections may come in handy when writing your critique.
- Read the opinions of other scholars. While many of them have the same opinion of a text even though they come from various scientific backgrounds, their judgment carries more weight than a thesis that enjoys less support.
Step 4. Notice if the author mentions unreliable testimonials
Are you bringing back a text from 50 years ago that no longer has any relevance in your field of study? In this case, the credibility of the article decreases by far.
Step 5. Don't ignore the stylistic elements
The content is the most important aspect to formulate a literary criticism, but do not neglect the stylistic techniques possibly used by the author. Pay attention to the choice of the most ambiguous words and the tone that distinguishes the whole article. This survey will be especially useful if you need to analyze humanistic research.
- Stylistic aspects may reveal deeper issues inherent in the main thesis. For example, if the article is too bright and zealous, the author is likely to ignore or refuse to consider the data that refutes his thinking.
- Always look for words you don't know. A definition can totally change the meaning of a sentence, especially if it is a word that has different meanings. Ask yourself why an author uses one term rather than another: his choice could reveal something more about his thesis.
Step 6. Question the research methods used in scientific articles
If you have to write a critique of an article that expounds a scientific theory, try to evaluate the research methods used for a particular experiment. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the author explain the method in detail?
- Was the study designed without major flaws?
- Do you have a problem with the sample size?
- Has a control group been created to set up a comparison?
- Are the statistical calculations all correct?
- Would an outside group be able to repeat the experiment?
- Does the experiment have a certain importance in the field of study for which it is intended?
Step 7. Learn more
Use your knowledge, formulate detailed opinions, and rework the research you have collected to support or contradict the article. Put forward empirical data to support your position.
- While it is valuable to provide a series of valid tests, on the other hand you risk being repetitive by exaggerating. So, make sure that each source cited offers your critique an original contribution.
- Furthermore, do not allow excessive use of sources to take away space from the exposition of opinions and arguments.
Step 8. Remember that a criticism doesn't have to be completely positive or negative
Indeed, literary criticisms are most interesting when they disagree with the author, formulate other ideas, or complicate the writer's by providing additional data.
- If you agree with the author, however, try to add other evidence or try to refute his main idea in order to prove and reaffirm its validity.
- You can provide evidence that challenges an argument while still supporting the legitimacy of a particular point of view.
- Don't be lenient with the author because you feel a certain sympathy for him, but at the same time don't be too harsh in trying to flaunt your critical streak. Express in detail the points of agreement and disagreement.
Part 3 of 3: Writing your own Critique
Step 1. Start with an introduction in which you outline your thesis
It shouldn't exceed two paragraphs. Its purpose is to provide an overview of your review. Start by briefly describing the gaps or strengths of the article, explaining why.
- In the introductory paragraphs, include the author's name, the title of the article, the journal in which it was published, the date of publication, and a sentence that encloses the author's thesis.
- The introduction is not the right section to expose data to support your views. The latter should be placed in the body of the text.
- Be bold in your introductory statements and clearly show your intentions. By hesitating or not taking a clear position, you run the risk of not being credible.
Step 2. Provide the evidence to support your arguments in the middle paragraphs
Each paragraph should describe a new idea in detail or further develop the main thesis in new directions.
- Start each paragraph with a sentence that summarizes its content, but don't condense all the information into a single line. The opening sentence is used to prepare the reader for ideas that are slightly different from what they have encountered up to that point.
- Conclude each paragraph by linking it to the next, but without explicitly stating what it will be about. For example, you could write: "Although Luca Rossi demonstrates that the number of childhood obesity cases in the United States is growing at a remarkable rate, there is evidence that allows us to say that cases of this disorder have decreased in some American cities." The next paragraph should illustrate the atypical cases in the places just mentioned.
Step 3. Test your thesis in the concluding part of the critique
As solid as it is, consider throwing in a final twist or outlining further developments by suggesting possible implications. Introduce these elements in the final paragraph, before the conclusion, so that the reader is faced with one last memorable argument.
For example, you could use a rebuttal in which you anticipate a criticism of your criticism and reaffirm your idea. Use expressions such as "It is undeniable that …", "It is true that …", "Someone could dispute that …", then rebut these objections and strongly reiterate your thesis using expressions such as "But …", "And yet …", "Nevertheless…"
Step 4. Present your arguments in an objective and rational tone
You shouldn't express yourself too zealously or unpleasantly passionate, otherwise you risk losing a lot of readers. Let your momentum emerge through the ability to reasonably investigate and effectively articulate your speech.
By writing "This garbage is an insult to historians around the world", you will certainly attract attention, but phrasing your thinking this way: "The article does not meet the requirements of scientific objectivity required in the field of historical studies", i readers will consider you a more serious critic
Step 5. Conclude the critique by summarizing your thesis and suggesting possible implications
It is important to summarize the main points addressed in the course of the article and to underline the contribution that your text can make in the context of the studies to which it refers.
- Are there broader implications to consider, or is your critique a mere attempt to expose another scholar's botched work?
- Do your best to leave a mark on the reader and lead him to reflect, using assertive language capable of demonstrating the importance of your work: "It is neither easy nor pleasant to question the claims of a professional who has distinguished himself in his field. of studies, but it is a task that all of us must accept for our generation and those to come ".
Advice
- Write the criticism in the third person and in the present tense, unless you are asked to do otherwise. Always review the stylistic rules for essays and articles before you start writing it.
- Be confident and firm when you write.
- Always review your work at least twice before giving it to your professor, boss, or editor.
Warnings
- Since you have to make a serious criticism, avoid making trivial comments like "I liked it" or "It was poorly written". Instead, focus on the content of the article.
- Avoid at all costs to make a simple summary of the article to criticize. It is better to write a short and concise review than to try to fill the page with a boring summary.
