Part of a critique that points out the main objective of a work

To critique a piece of writing is to do the following:

describe: give the reader a sense of the writer’s overall purpose and intent
analyze: examine how the structure and language of the text convey its meaning
interpret: state the significance or importance of each part of the text
assess: make a judgment of the work’s worth or value
FORMATTING A CRITIQUE
Here are two structures for critiques, one for nonfiction and one for fiction/literature.

The Critique Format for Nonfiction
Introduction

name of author and work
general overview of subject and summary of author's argument
focusing (or thesis) sentence indicating how you will divide the whole work for discussion or the particular elements you will discuss
Body

objective description of a major point in the work
detailed analysis of how the work conveys an idea or concept
interpretation of the concept
repetition of description, analysis, interpretation if more than one major concept is covered
Conclusion

overall interpretation
relationship of particular interpretations to subject as a whole
critical assessment of the value, worth, or meaning of the work, both negative and positive
The Critique Format for Fiction/Literature
Introduction

name of author and work
brief summary/description of work as a whole
focusing sentence indicating what element you plan to examine
general indication of overall significance of work
Body

literal description of the first major element or portion of the work
detailed analysis
interpretation
literal description of second major element
detailed analysis
interpretation (including, if necessary, the relationship to the first major point)
and so on
Conclusion

overall interpretation of the elements studied
consideration of those elements within the context of the work as a whole
critical assessment of the value, worth, meaning, or significance of the work, both positive and negative
You may not be asked in every critique to assess a work, only to analyze and interpret it. If you are asked for a personal response, remember that your assessment should not be the expression of an unsupported personal opinion. Your interpretations and your conclusions must be based on evidence from the text and follow from the ideas you have dealt with in the paper.

Remember also that a critique may express a positive as well as a negative assessment. Don't confuse critique with criticize in the popular sense of the word, meaning “to point out faults.”

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