Critique of a Chosen Selection

Writing a Critique

Critique of a Chosen Selection

After going through this module, you are expected to: 

• react intelligently and creatively to the text listened to or read; and

• explain how a selection may be influenced by culture, history, environment, or other factors.

Multiple Choice

What piece of writing briefly summarizes and critically evaluates a work or concept?

• Essay

• Critique

• Editorial

• Argumentative

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct order of the parts of the critique?

• Introduction, Critical Evaluation, Summary, Conclusion, Reference List

• Introduction, Summary, Critical Evaluation, Conclusion, Reference List

• Summary, Introduction, Critical Evaluation, Conclusion, Reference List

• Introduction, Critical Evaluation, Conclusion, Summary, Reference List

Multiple Choice

This section explains the context in which the work was created. This could include the social or political context, the place of the work in a creative or academic tradition, or the relationship between the work and the creator’s life experience.

• Introduction

• Summary

• Conclusion

• Critical Evaluation

Multiple Choice

This section is usually a brief paragraph, which includes a statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work.

• Introduction

• Summary

• Conclusion

• Critical Evaluation

Multiple Choice

This section should give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was able to achieve the purpose through these.

• Introduction

• Summary

• Conclusion

• Critical Evaluation

Writing a Critique

Quarter 3 Week 5

What is a critique? 

• A critique is a genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes and critically evaluates a work or concept.

• Like an essay, a critique uses a formal, academic writing style and has a clear structure, that is, an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, the body of a critique includes a summary of the work and a detailed evaluation. The purpose of an evaluation is to gauge the usefulness or impact of a work in a particular field.

What are the types of critiques?

• Critiquing a speech of a famous person 

• Critiquing a website for design and credibility

• Critiquing an essay written by one of your peers

•  Critiquing a book or a novel (also known as a book review) 

• Critiquing the media such as news reports, feature articles, etc. 

• Critiquing a research article published in a peer-reviewed journal

• Critiquing a creative work such as an exhibit, an art, a film (film review), and a poem

Why do we write critiques? Writing a critique on a work helps us to develop:

• Knowledge of the work’s subject area or related works.

• An understanding of the work’s purpose, intended audience, development of argument, structure of the evidence, or creative style

• A recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of the work. 

How do we write a critique?

• Before you start writing, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the work that will be critiqued.

• Study the work under discussion. Make notes on key parts of the work.

• Always find both positive and negative things to say. Sometimes called “hedging”. 

• Consider the author/creator’s purpose and the historical context.

• Analyze your emotional reactions.

• Do outside research.

What are the main features of a critique?

A. Introduction

• Name the work being reviewed as well as the date it was created and the name of the author/creator.

•  Describe the main argument or purpose of the work.

• Explain the context in which the work was created. 

• Have a concluding sentence that signposts what your evaluation of the work will be. 

B. Summary

• Briefly summarize the main points and objectively describe how the creator portrays these by using techniques, styles, media, characters, or symbols. This summary should not be the focus of the critique and is usually shorter than the critical evaluation. 

C. Critical evaluation

• This section should give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was able to achieve the purpose through these.

• A critical evaluation does not simply highlight negative impressions. It should deconstruct the work and identify both strengths and weaknesses. It should examine the work and evaluate its success, in light of its purpose. 

Examples of key critical questions that could help your evaluation include: 

• Who is the creator? Is the work presented objectively or subjectively?

• What are the aims of the work? Were the aims achieved?

• What techniques, styles, media were used in the work? Are they effective in portraying the purpose? 

• What assumptions underlie the work? Do they affect its validity? 

Examples of key critical questions that could help your evaluation include: 

• What types of evidence or persuasion are used? Has evidence been interpreted fairly? 

• How is the work structured? Does it favor a particular interpretation or point of view? Is it effective?

• Does the work enhance understanding of key ideas or theories? Does the work engage (or fail to engage) with key concepts or other works in its discipline?

D. Conclusion

• This is usually a very brief paragraph, which includes:

• A statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work

• A summary of the key reasons identified during the critical evaluation, why this evaluation was formed.

• In some circumstances, recommendations for improvement on the work may be appropriate. 

E. Reference list 

• Check with your lecturer/tutor for which referencing style to use.

• Include all resources cited in your critique. 

Activity

Write a critique essay for the following movie.

Les Misérables

 Victor Hugo