Guidelines for Writing Critiques

A written critique includes a minimum of four basic essentials:

1. identification of the material read;

2. an abstract of the major ideas
3. critical evaluation of these central ideas; points of view, and contention of the author;
4. an analysis of the implications of the content read to the particular course, study, or field of interest.
The first things to look for in an identified reading are the major ideas and contentions of the author. Try to determine the author’s justifications for
his contentions. Seek out similarities and differences between what is being propounded by the writer and those held by other writers in the field.

In summary, what is the gist of the content of the article, pamphlet, or book? Can it be stated in a few paragraphs? What does it mean? What are the
implications?

Instructions

Writing the critique: Reproduce the outline below and answer each question in a few well-written paragraphs of four to five sentences. Be thorough.
Do not reproduce the parenthetical instructions.

I. Author: (Insert the bibliography of the book being critiqued.)

II. Abstract of Major Ideas
A. What are the most important ideas in the book? (include 2 paragraphs in each idea)
B. What are the two main arguments the author uses to support these ideas? (include 2 paragraphs, one argument
each, and the page numbers where found. The first paragraphs concerns paragraph one in II.A. The second
paragraph concerns paragraph two in II.A.)
III. Critical Evaluation of Major Ideas (For A, B, and C use any ideas other than those in II.)
A. Does the author argue his points with good reasoning? (include two paragraphs, one sample each, and the page
number where found.)
B. Does the author reach conclusions that follow from the data and arguments presented in the book? Explain.
(include 2 paragraphs, one example each, and the page numbers where found. Each paragraph must refer to the
corresponding paragraph in II.A.)
C. Do you agree with the major ideas of the book? Do you disagree with anything in the book? Explain. (include in
2 paragraphs: one agreement, one disagreement, and the page numbers where found.)
IV. Implications of the Major Ideas (Use any ideas in the book.)
A. How are the ideas in this book related to what is happening today in education? (include 2 paragraphs and two
general ideas.)
B. How will reading this book help you in the future? (include 3 paragraphs. In each paragraph include one specific
example or scenario that applies to your life.)

Guidelines for Writing Critiques

A written critique includes a minimum of four basic essentials:

1. identification of the material read;

2. an abstract of the major ideas
3. critical evaluation of these central ideas; points of view, and contention of the author;
4. an analysis of the implications of the content read to the particular course, study, or field of interest.
The first things to look for in an identified reading are the major ideas and contentions of the author. Try to determine the author’s justifications for
his contentions. Seek out similarities and differences between what is being propounded by the writer and those held by other writers in the field.

In summary, what is the gist of the content of the article, pamphlet, or book? Can it be stated in a few paragraphs? What does it mean? What are the
implications?

Instructions

Writing the critique: Reproduce the outline below and answer each question in a few well-written paragraphs of four to five sentences. Be thorough.
Do not reproduce the parenthetical instructions.

I. Author: (Insert the bibliography of the book being critiqued.)

II. Abstract of Major Ideas
A. What are the most important ideas in the book? (include 2 paragraphs in each idea)
B. What are the two main arguments the author uses to support these ideas? (include 2 paragraphs, one argument
each, and the page numbers where found. The first paragraphs concerns paragraph one in II.A. The second
paragraph concerns paragraph two in II.A.)
III. Critical Evaluation of Major Ideas (For A, B, and C use any ideas other than those in II.)
A. Does the author argue his points with good reasoning? (include two paragraphs, one sample each, and the page
number where found.)
B. Does the author reach conclusions that follow from the data and arguments presented in the book? Explain.
(include 2 paragraphs, one example each, and the page numbers where found. Each paragraph must refer to the
corresponding paragraph in II.A.)
C. Do you agree with the major ideas of the book? Do you disagree with anything in the book? Explain. (include in
2 paragraphs: one agreement, one disagreement, and the page numbers where found.)
IV. Implications of the Major Ideas (Use any ideas in the book.)
A. How are the ideas in this book related to what is happening today in education? (include 2 paragraphs and two
general ideas.)
B. How will reading this book help you in the future? (include 3 paragraphs. In each paragraph include one specific
example or scenario that applies to your life.)