College

**Writing a Successful Critique**

**Goal:** Construct a working outline for a literary critique.

Using the story selected by you or your teacher:

1. **Document the Story:**
- Properly document the story using MLA format. (Click here to review the Style Guide).

2. **Author Information:**
- Look for information about your author. Make notes about items you may wish to use in your review. If you cannot find any information, report this to your teacher.
- Remember to document your sources properly using MLA format.

3. **Setting:**
- What is the setting of this story?
- Approximately when did it take place?
- Has the author made the setting an important element in this story?
- Note any particularly good descriptions of the setting that you may want to use in your critique.

4. **Characters:**
- What is the name of the protagonist in your story?
- What are the outstanding physical characteristics of this person?
- What are his/her outstanding personality traits?
- Is there an antagonist? If so, who is it?
- What are his/her undesirable personal qualities?
- What good or redeeming qualities does this person have, if any?
- List and briefly identify any minor characters you want to include in your critique.

5. **Plot:**
- Write a one- or two-sentence summary of the plot of your story.

6. **Theme:**
- Write in one sentence the theme or purpose of your story as you understand it and ask your teacher to evaluate it for you.

7. **Point of View:**
- From what point of view is this story told?

8. **Literary Devices:**
- Note outstanding literary devices in the story you chose. They should be items you will want to include in your review.

9. **Opinion:**
- List the main strengths and weaknesses of the story as you see it. These strengths and weaknesses will be points you expect to include in your review and as a basis for your recommendation. You should have at least five items.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of setting.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of characters.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of plot.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of theme or purpose.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of point of view.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of literary style.
- Strengths and/or weaknesses of other elements.

10. **Recommendation:**
- Tell whether or not you recommend the story and to whom.

Construct your working outline and have your teacher check it before beginning to write the body of your paper.

Answer :

When crafting a literary critique, thorough preparation such as documenting the story in MLA format, researching the author, setting, characters, plot, and theme are crucial. Analyzing literary devices and presenting an argument supported by textual evidence while engaging with critical sources is also key.

Writing a successful critique involves a thorough preparation phase where you gather all the necessary details about the literature piece you are about to analyze. The key is to focus on the literature's aspects meticulously. It starts with properly documenting the story in MLA format, researching the author, and identifying the setting where the author may potentially place significant emphasis.

It's crucial to examine the main characters, including the protagonist and antagonist, noting physical and personality traits, plot, and themes. Look into the point of view the story is told from and observe any literary devices used which can include metaphors, similes, allegories, etc. Note down the story's strengths and weaknesses, including those related to setting, characters, plot, and theme, leading to a well-grounded recommendation on whether or not the story is worth reading.

A well-organized critical review will require concise planning with potential help from an outline. It should feature an original argument, close reading of your text, and engagement with critical sources — all while critically examining and analyzing literary devices. Your review should focus on a few critical points and organize them logically, supported by evidence from the literature, and documented according to MLA standards.

A literary critique requires careful preparation, a focused approach, and a strong thesis supported by textual evidence. The critique examines story elements and literary devices to present a nuanced argument, using MLA citations and culminating in a recommendation. Critical review involves a writing process that includes multiple stages from prewriting to revision.

Writing a literary critique involves examining various elements of a literary work and presenting an argument about its merits and weaknesses. A successful critique requires preparation, focus, and understanding the rhetorical components, including the audience, purpose, and context. A strong thesis is essential, outlining the key points of your critique and supporting them with evidence from the text. Critical analysis should go beyond mere summary and provide an original perspective.

When you plan your critical review, you start by making a working outline that focuses on the story's setting, characters, plot, theme, point of view, and literary devices. The critique identifies at least three literary devices and analyzes how they contribute to the effectiveness of the story. It is necessary to quote and paraphrase using MLA format for citations.

Finally, a critique presents objective strengths and weaknesses, culminating in a recommendation about whether and to whom the story will appeal. The writing process includes prewriting, drafting, peer review, and revision to ensure a well-structured and compelling argument.