How to write a critical essay

How to Write a Critical Essay

The Academic Sciences Guide on how to write a critical essay.

A critical essay is an objective critique of another document.  This type of essay is not to concentrate on opinion or value of the work, but to provide an analysis that examines both its positive and negative aspects.  The summary of the contents should be informative; to include evidence you use to support any claims or observations.  It is important to note, also, that in writing a critical essay, you do not write in the first person.

How to Format Your Critical Essay

Generally, the critical essay follows the same format as any other essay paper.  The format includes a title, introduction, body, and the conclusion. Make sure you follow these steps on how to write a critical essay. 

TITLE:

When choosing your essay title, be sure to consider that you are required to validate each point with solid evidence.  Your critical essay should examine and explain one specific topic and goal in writing.  Therefore, you will be focusing on a single aspect of another document opposed to an entire work.  Learning how to write a critical essay should start with a narrow topic to ensure your points are well intended and precise.

INTRODUCTION:

The introduction clearly identifies the topic, to include the name of the work that you are analysing.  The critical essay introduction, defined as a thesis statement, states your position on the criticised material.  Finally, the introduction briefly outlines the question that initiated the arguments later detailed in the body of the essay.

BODY:

The body paragraphs of a critical essay involve details that support your arguments and position on the topic.  The body presents the facts that you used to develop your thesis statement in the introduction.  The paragraphs are strategically executed to explain each point; methodically transitioning from point to point to guarantee the skilled flow of your essay.

CONCLUSION:

Your critical essay conclusion reemphasises your position, while also summarising how your evidence supports your point of view.  Additionally, it is important to restate the title and author of the criticised material in the conclusion.


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