Download CRITIQUE OF AN ACADEMIC ARTICLE and more Lecture notes Rhetoric in PDF only on Docsity!
EVALUATION
The analysis breaks down the information provided in thearticle. The evaluation of this information, the way it ispresented, its validity and application. This is the mainfocus of your critique.
Evaluation of Topic
Y
N
Is the topic of the article clearly defined or whether itis ambiguous Is there an implicit argument to the paper?
(That
being
implied
or
suggested
but
not
actually
expressed) Are all the key words well defined? Is the argument logical? Is the text well clearly written in an orderly way? Evaluation of the evidence
Is the evidence convincing or perceptive?
If
there
isn’t
any
experiential
or
experimental
evidence given, why not? If there is, why?
Is the evidence accurate and is it sufficient to backup the points being argued
Is the text and evidence presented appropriate forthe
intended
audience?
E.g.
If
teachers
are
the
intended audience, then it would be inappropriate, inmost cases, for a computer specialist to present anarticle from a highly technical perspective.
Evaluation of the argument
How does this article relate to other reading whichyou have done in this subject area?
Was the counter argument fully considered? Whatwas it?
What assumptions have been made and how dothese assumptions weaken or impact the argument?
Were the implications of accepting the argument ofthe article fully explained?
Are there aspects to the paper which raise a strongresponse? If so why?
Where the argument of the article leads to possibleapplications of the theory, were these practical ormeaningful?
STRUCTURE OF CRITIQUE
Jeffrey Cahan, (2004) suggests that you can structure yourcritique in two ways: First method:
Itemise the argument into main point, reasons forargument, support offered
Discuss the strength and weakness of the articlesassumptions
Identify the article’s audience
Assess the value of the overall argument.
Second method:
Identify and explain the author’s ideas andperspective and the audience. Include directquotes from the article to illustrate your points(background)
Explain what you think about the article, basedon the evaluation as listed above. Focus onspecific weaknesses and strengths in the article(One per paragraph)
For each point you mention, include sectionsfrom the article (quote or paraphrase) to illustrateyour point and bring in references to provideevidence in support of your critique.
REFERENCES
Cahan, J. (2003). Mini-lecture on writing a critique- effective academic
writing. Retrieved on March 23, 2004 from http://empire1.esc.edu/coursesspecial/epresources.nsf/0/16de c3a600acff0f85256d8f004e7c2a?OpenDocument
Jones, B.J. (2001). Rhetoric and composition: Pennsylvania State
University. Retrieved on March 23, 2004 from http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/b/j/bjj6/ENGL015- 2001Critique.html
Metcalfe, M. (March, 2002). Preparing a critique of an article: Using
argument as an inquiry. Retrieved on March 23, 2004 from http://godot.unisa.edu.au/register/articles/5.doc
Sarah Cowpertwait
Extramural Learning Advisor
Student Learning Centre
Massey University, Auckland, 2004
STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE
CRITIQUE OF AN
ACADEMIC ARTICLE
‘A critique analyses, interprets and
evaluates a text, answering the questions
how? Why? And how well?’
(Jeffrey Cahan, 2004)
This brochure will provide help in:
Understanding what is meant by a‘critique’
Looking at the background picture
Analysing the article
Evaluating the article
Structuring your critique.
Evidence
You have identified the sources; now identifywhat each source is saying in support of yourauthor’s argument
What evidence is being used to support theargument?
Section headings will give a good insight intosupporting points given for an argument
Does the author present the evidence to backup a point made, to illustrate a point, or toengender sympathy towards an argument? e.g. startling statistics
Is
there
any
experiential
or
experimental
analysis given (statistical evidence), and is itqualitative or quantitative?
Limitations
What limitations has the author identified? e.g. time limit, sample size, information base, the degree of further research required, and the degree to which the article can be applied
Are both sides of the argument presented andsupported with references? SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND
& ANALYSIS
In summary, the information you need before youbegin your critique includes:
The background and discipline of the author
The main issue being discussed
The point the author is arguing on that issue
The sources used to support this argument
The specific evidence used to support theargument
Any
experiential
or
experimental
analysis
given (statistical evidence)
Any limitations identified.
When was the article written?
Is it based on
current issues or not and is the article relevant totoday’s research?
Who is the intended audience? This can also lead us to some understanding of thepurpose of the article
What sources does the author use? This can lead us to understand the theoretical basis ofthe article
Has the author focused
on a particular area of
research or on a specific point of view?
What
general
assumptions
does
the
author
make?^ A
ssumptions can be cultural, social or theoretical.
ANALYSIS
‘What is the author’s particular concern?’
(Metcalfe, 2002)
Analysis
of
the
article
is
necessary
in
order
to
establish the general purpose, evidence, limitations,and the structure of an article.
Your
analysis
of
the
article
determines
exactly
what it is the author is saying and how they aresaying it
Your analysis needs to be thorough, as this is theinformation on which you will base your evaluation
It is important to refer to your analysis during yourcritique,
although
describing
the
article
should
comprise no more than a third of your critique.
Purpose You can usually ascertain the author’s purpose withinthe introduction e.g. their thesis statement, what is itthey are trying to prove?
What is the purpose of the article?
What arguments are being used to persuade the^ intended audience to believe?
AN ACADEMIC ARTICLE
Academic articles are often written in theform of an argument
The author takes a particular stand on anissue (often stated in their thesis statement)
The author presents research evidence andfacts in support of the argument
Well written academic articles are based ona great deal of research and the author hasdrawn conclusions from a range of sources.
WHAT IS A CRITIQUE ‘ What the reader of a critique is really interested in is hearing your assessment’
(Jones, 2001)
A critique is a specific style of essay whichidentifies the author’s ideas and evaluates thembased on current theory and research.
In order to do a meaningful critique youneed
to
understand
where
the
author
is
coming from and why they are writing thisparticular article
In a critique you need to respond to thearticle not simply summarise it
You need to explain why you respond to thetext in a certain way and to support yourargument with your readings
Begin by regarding the article as a wholeand building up a background picture.
BACKGROUND
Who is the author (s) and what is theauthor’s background
(discipline, research
history, political history if relevant)? This
will
give
you
insight
into
their
personal
perspective, for example, an article on the use oftechnology in schools written by an IT specialist willhave
a
different
perspective
from
that
of
an
educationalist.
