Critique Paper
Read the source text, isolating the thesis/claim and the key ideas. Summarize
the key ideas in your own words; use a Says/ Does analysis to understand
both the content and the rhetorical structure of the text.
2. Identify the writer’s purpose and the characteristics of the target audience.
3. Identify the rhetorical strategies and techniques that the writer uses to
develop the content of the essay. If you did the Says/ Does analysis, you
should have identified these already.
4. Identify the form the writer uses to develop the text, and look for any large
stylistic features. Make notes about how these relate to the author’s claim and
purpose.
5. Now,, clarify YOUR purpose for writing the critique and identify the audience
to whom you are writing it.
6. As you think through your purpose and audience, remember to focus
separately on the two issues for critique: 1) how has the author succeeded in
meeting her purpose, and 2) how well/effectively has the author succeeded in
doing so? From your perspective, to what degree has the author succeeded
in demonstrating the validity of her assumptions and what evidence supports
this judgment? Remember also to overtly identify what standards you
apply. Also, remember that you must be able to demonstrate for your
audience that these standards are appropriate, relevant ones to use in
evaluating the text.
7. Develop a logical structure for your essay, based upon your purpose and
target audience. Check the source text to make sure you have represented
the ideas accurately and completely.
8. Revise the critique to make it clear, logical, and coherent.
The Assignment
➢ Critically read Atul Gawande’s “Slow Ideas” (ICON)
➢ Write an informal outline that identifies the thesis, key ideas, and relevant
details, placed in relationship to each other by order of importance. Also, make
notes about HOW the argument is put forward through strategic use of
rhetorical elements.
➢ Think carefully about the composition of your target audience and your purpose
for writing the critique. How can you most effectively present the evaluation of
the source text, using clear, articulated standards in a manner that your
audience will understand?
