Pay attention to the intro paragraph and conclusion paragraph–where the author often puts main points. [2] X Expert Source Richard PerkinsWriting Coach & Academic English Coordinator Expert Interview. 1 September 2021.
What is the author’s thesis/argument? What is the author’s purpose in arguing said thesis? Who is the intended audience? Does the article effectively reach this audience? Does the author have ample and valid evidence? Are there any holes in the author’s argument? Did the author misrepresent evidence or add bias to evidence? Does the author reach a conclusive point?
For example, you could underline important passages, circle confusing ones, and star inconsistencies. Creating a legend with assigned symbols allows you to quickly mark up an article. Though it may take a little bit of time to recognize your own symbols, they will quickly become ingrained in your mind and allow you to breeze through an article much quicker than without a symbol legend.
Don’t be foolish enough to think that you will remember your idea when it comes time to write your critique. Spend the necessary time writing down your observations as you read. You will be glad you did when it comes time to put your observations into a complete analytical paper.
Make a list of possible sources of evidence for your critique. Jog your memory for any literature you’ve read or documentaries you’ve seen that might be useful for evaluating the article.
Even if an author has done research and quoted respected experts, analyze the message for its practicality and real world application. Examine the author’s introduction and conclusion to make sure they match up as convincing and complementary elements. [8] X Expert Source Richard PerkinsWriting Coach & Academic English Coordinator Expert Interview. 1 September 2021.
Bias includes ignoring contrary evidence, misappropriating evidence to make conclusions appear different than they are, and imparting one’s own, unfounded opinions on a text. Well-sourced opinions are perfectly OK, but those without academic support deserve to be met with a skeptical eye. Bias can also come from a place of prejudice. Note any biases related to race, ethnicity, gender, class, or politics.
Note any inconsistencies between your interpretation of a text and the author’s interpretation of a text. Such conflict may bear fruit when it comes time to write your review. See what other scholars have to say. If several scholars from diverse backgrounds have the same opinion about a text, that opinion should be given more weight than an argument with little support.
Pay attention to places where the author’s tone reveals they think something is deeply important. [12] X Expert Source Richard PerkinsWriting Coach & Academic English Coordinator Expert Interview. 1 September 2021. These aspects of an article can reveal deeper issues in the larger argument. For example, an article written in a heated, overzealous tone might be ignoring or refusing to engage with contradictory evidence in its analysis. Always look up the definitions of unfamiliar words. A word’s definition can completely change the meaning of a sentence, especially if a particular word has several definitions. Question why an author chose one particular word instead of another, and it might reveal something about their argument.
Does the author detail the methods thoroughly? Is the study designed without major flaws? Is there a problem with the sample size? Was a control group created for comparison? Are all of the statistical calculations correct? Would another party be able to duplicate the experiment in question? Is the experiment significant for that particular field of study?
While there is no such thing as too much good evidence, over-sourcing can also be a problem if your arguments become repetitive. Make sure each source provides something unique to your critique. Additionally, don’t allow your use of sources to crowd out your own opinions and arguments.
If you do agree entirely with the author, therefore, make sure to build upon the argument either by providing additional evidence or complicating the author’s idea. You can provide contradictory evidence to an argument while still maintaining that a particular point of view is the correct one. Don’t “take it easy” on the author due to misguided empathy; but neither should you be excessively negative in an attempt to prove your critical bona fides. Forcefully express your defensible points of agreement and disagreement.
Be sure to include the name of the author, article title, the journal or publication the article appeared in, the publication date, and a statement about the focus and/or thesis of the article in your introductory paragraph(s). The introduction is not the place to provide evidence for your opinions. Your evidence will go in the body paragraphs of your critique. Be bold in your introductory assertions and make your purpose clear right off the bat. Skirting around or not fully committing to an argument lessens your credibility.
Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that summarizes the content of the paragraph to come. Don’t feel like you have to condense the entire paragraph into the topic sentence, however. This is purely a place to transition into a new or somehow different idea. End each body paragraph with a transitional sentence that hints at, though does not explicitly state, the content of the paragraph coming next. For example, you might write, “While John Doe shows that the number of cases of childhood obesity is rising at a remarkable rate in the U. S. , there are instances of dropping obesity rates in some American cities. " Your next paragraph would then provide specific examples of these anomalous cities that you just claimed exist.
You might, for instance, utilize a counterargument, in which you anticipate a critique of your critique and reaffirm your position. Use phrases like “Admittedly,” “It is true that,” or “One might object here” to identify the counterargument. Then, answer these possible counters and turn back to your strengthened argument with “but,” “yet,” or “nevertheless. ”
While writing “This piece of garbage is an insult to historians everywhere” might garner attention, “This article falls short of the standards for scholarship in this area of historical study” is more likely to be taken seriously by readers.
Are there broad implications for the field of study being assessed, or does your critique simply attempt to debunk the messy work of another scholar? Do your best to make a lasting mark on the reader in the conclusion by using assertive language to demonstrate the importance of your work: “Challenging the claims of such a distinguished scholar is no easy or enjoyable task, but it is a task we all must agree to do for our generation and those to follow. ”
