Dead Stars
How To Write a Critical Paper
Ask Four Basic Questions as You Read:
1) What is the book/story/poem/chapter about as a whole? Question to consider in description
2) What is the author saying about the food in detail, and how is it said? Question to consider in interpretation
3) Is it true, in whole or in part? Question to consider in criticism
4) What is the significance of the work? Question for the 4th parrt
ELEMENTS OF A CRITICAL PAPER
The following is a general structure to follow for the body of a critical paper. Be sure to include a suitable introduction and conclusion.
PART ONE: DESCRIPTION
Classify the material according to kind (literary genre) and subject matter (theme).
Very briefly, state what the whole of the material is about.
Define the problem or problems that the author/speaker is trying to solve.
PART TWO: INTERPRETATION
Find the important words (terms) in the book/message and determine the author’s meaning of these terms, with precision.
Identify the most important sentences (propositions) in the material, the ones that express the judgments on which the whole book/message rests. These are the foundational affirmations and denials of the author/speaker. They must be either premises or conclusions. State them in your own words.
Construct the author’s/speaker’s arguments, beginning with any assumptions and/or self-evident propositions. An argument is the author’s/speaker’s line of reasoning aimed at demonstrating the truth or falsehood of his or her claims, that is, the coherent series of reasons, statements, or facts that support or establish a point of view. If the arguments are not explicitly expressed in the material, you will need to construct them from sequences of sentences.
PART THREE: CRITICISM
General Pointers.
From this point on, you will have a chance to argue with the author/speaker and express yourself, but keep in mind the following general maxims of scholarly etiquette:
Do not say that you agree,
Ask Four Basic Questions as You Read:
1) What is the book/story/poem/chapter about as a whole? Question to consider in description
2) What is the author saying about the food in detail, and how is it said? Question to consider in interpretation
3) Is it true, in whole or in part? Question to consider in criticism
4) What is the significance of the work? Question for the 4th parrt
ELEMENTS OF A CRITICAL PAPER
The following is a general structure to follow for the body of a critical paper. Be sure to include a suitable introduction and conclusion.
PART ONE: DESCRIPTION
Classify the material according to kind (literary genre) and subject matter (theme).
Very briefly, state what the whole of the material is about.
Define the problem or problems that the author/speaker is trying to solve.
PART TWO: INTERPRETATION
Find the important words (terms) in the book/message and determine the author’s meaning of these terms, with precision.
Identify the most important sentences (propositions) in the material, the ones that express the judgments on which the whole book/message rests. These are the foundational affirmations and denials of the author/speaker. They must be either premises or conclusions. State them in your own words.
Construct the author’s/speaker’s arguments, beginning with any assumptions and/or self-evident propositions. An argument is the author’s/speaker’s line of reasoning aimed at demonstrating the truth or falsehood of his or her claims, that is, the coherent series of reasons, statements, or facts that support or establish a point of view. If the arguments are not explicitly expressed in the material, you will need to construct them from sequences of sentences.
PART THREE: CRITICISM
General Pointers.
From this point on, you will have a chance to argue with the author/speaker and express yourself, but keep in mind the following general maxims of scholarly etiquette:
Do not say that you agree,