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How to Write the Critique Essay


For your journal article critiques for this class I encourage you to use David Taylors method for writing the critique essay.  For your convenience I have written the outline which you need to follow before submitting your journal article critiques for my review. I have also posted the outline under the materials list found at the right of the screen. 

 
Outline for Writing the Journal Article Critique
1. Journal Critique Introduction:
Introduce author & title of work
  • Provide author’s main point (take away)
  • State your overall evaluation of the work
  • Add background info for reader
2. Summary: Include the entire work or section of it (the hypothesis or the point)
  • Written objectively to relate:
  • Author’s overall point (“take away”)
  • Supports provided for the overall point
  • Goal of a summary (abstract)
  • Provides author’s thesis and main point untainted by opinion
3.  Evaluation Criteria: If applicable your evaluation will include some of the following-
  • Accuracy of information
  • Definition of key terms (or lack of)
  • Hidden assumptions
  • Clarity of language
  • Fairness
  • Logic and organization
  • Common fallacies: name-calling, hasty generalization, over-simplification, emotional language, black/which & either/or fallacy
4. Response: Use 3rd person narrative and support by other references
  • Where do I agree or disagree?
  • What does the author get right or wrong?
  • What ultimate merit/use does this work have?
  • Would I recommend this work as a credible research source?
5. Conclusion: Use 3rd person for professional writing always.
  • Remind audience/readers of overall importance of topic
  • Combine your rating with personal responses (3rd person use) to focus on overall strengths & weaknesses

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