English 10-1

Guide to Writing a Critical

Response
Purpose
In a critical response, the writer:
Answers a question regarding a text using
a specified format
Does not discuss personal opinions about
the topic or the text being examined
Pulls in the original text either directly
(through quotes or references) or indirectly
(thematically)
How you will be Questioned

A Critical Response asks the question:

What idea does the author (or filmmaker) develop
about a theme?

This differs from A Personal Response, which will ask the

question:
What does the text suggest to you about a theme?

Remember, a Critical Response is not based on your

personal opinion about the topic or about the text.

Instead, you are asked to examine the text and discuss

themes and ideas contained within it.
Format
A Critical Response contains three main
sections:
1) An introduction

2) Body paragraphs

3) A conclusion
Format: Introduction
The introduction to a Critical Response will
contain the following 3 elements:
1) A general statement about the topic
(this should be interesting, a hook)
2) The text and its creator (author, for
example) are introduced
3) A thesis statement
Format: IntroductionThesis
Statement
A thesis statement:
Answers the question being posed
Provides a roadmap for what the
essay will be about (it will describe
what the topics of the body
paragraphs will be)
Does not provide specific support
this is saved for the body paragraphs
Sample Introductory Paragraph

In a world replete with social relationships,

one deserves special mention: the
relationship between brother and sister.
This type of relationship is portrayed in To
Kill a Mockingbird by two of the main
characters, Jeremy (Jem) and Jean Louise
(Scout) Finch. In the novel, author Harper
Lee develops the idea that the relationship
between brother and sister is based on
rivalry and tolerance, affection, and
protectiveness.
Format: Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph in a Critical Response will
contain the following:
A topic sentence that describes what the
subject matter of the paragraph will be
Support and detail from the text

A closing sentence that concludes the

paragraph and transitions to the next
paragraph
Format: Conclusion
The conclusion in a Critical Response will
contain the following:
A restatement of the thesis (using
different wording or phrasing, to
avoid being repetitive)
An interesting concluding statement
about the topic
Sample Conclusion
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee develops the idea
that the relationship between a brother and
sister encompasses rivalry and tolerance,
affection, and protectiveness. In the novel,
Scout and Jem display how a relationship
between brother and sister has many
distinguished elements. A brother and sister
relationship is barely fathomable, due to the
complexity that binds siblings together.
How a Critical Response is
Evaluated (5 categories)
Thought and Understanding 10 marks
How effectively does the writers response
address the assigned question?
How sound and insightful are the writers
comments on the chosen text(s)?
Supporting Evidence 10 marks
How thoughtful, detailed, ample, and precise
are the writers references to elements from
the text(s)?
How a Critical Response is
Evaluated
Organization 5 marks
How effectively expressed and
thoughtfully sustained is the essays
thesis?
How unified, clear, and coherent is the
writing (emphasis on sensible
transitions and logical paragraphing)?
How well is the discussion concluded?
How a Critical Response is
Evaluated
Matters of Choice 5 marks
How skillfully has the writer managed diction and
syntax choices?
How varied and interesting are the sentence
constructions?
How appropriate are the writers style choices in the
context of critical-response writing?
Matters of Correctness 5 marks
How correctly has the writer used the conventions of
written Englishin particular, grammar, usage,
spelling, and punctuation?