How to Critique an Article

Critical thinking is one of the most vital skills any student should possess. It is the primary skill that is tested whenever a student is asked, what are the 4 steps in writing a critique? If you are looking for important tips on performing this exercise, go through this article.

What Does Critique Mean?

Before taking a deep dive into the procedure, it is only fair that we define what is expected of you. A critique task requires you to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a piece and asses the author’s understanding of the topic. It also focuses on the validity of the author’s arguments. So, what is an example of a critique?

What Are the 5 Steps in Writing a Critique?

In this guide, we unearth the simple but sure steps you should follow when working on this assignment. Before getting into intricate details, it is important to note that the purpose of this process is to lay bare facts that determine whether the article is correct. Even though the purpose fits the definition of a persuasive essay, its structure is slightly different.

Follow these main steps to provide the answer to the question, how do you start a critique?

1. Read the Article

Without making any assumptions, it is important to read the article severally. Doing so helps you understand the intricate details. It also helps establish the facts and interpret them better. An extensive understanding of the content will be beneficial in answering the following questions:

Why Is the Writer Regarded as an Author in the Field?

In this section on how to critique a journal article example, ask yourself these questions regarding the author:

• What do other experts have to say about the author?
• Are they conversant with the topic?
• What makes the author’s opinion come out as valid?

What Is the Author’s Thesis or Hypothesis?

Concerning this section, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the author’s message clear?
• What is the author’s primary message?

Who Is the Article’s Target Audience?

Ask yourself these questions concerning this section:

• Does the article appeal to a particular group of people?

Are the Arguments Presented Valid?

About the themes being communicated, ask yourself this question:

• Does the author use specific sources?

What Are the Logical Fallacies in the Author’s Viewpoint?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does the author display any logical blindspots?
• How much do the author’s blindspots affect the outcome?

Is the Conclusion Clear and Logical?

Ask yourself, did the author get a clear outcome of their work?

2. Collect Proof

The first step prompts you to read, understand and critically reflect upon the author’s message. Meanwhile, the second step involves collecting evidence by following these steps:

Define Whether the Author Followed Formal Logic

One of the key points you need to look out for is whether the piece has any logical fallacies. It might sound impractical. However, it is an essential step of the article review format. Focus more on separating facts from emotions.

Here are examples of logical fallacies and their explanations:

• Wishful thinking – Look for instances where the author believes something they cannot prove.
• Slippery slope – Look for instances where the author alleges an action will be the worst possible scenario.
• Ad hominem – Here, the author attacks someone by providing an opinion to discredit their point of view.
• Correlation vs Causation – In this case, the author concludes that one action occurred due to another. The author concludes and correlates the two situations when they are not factually correlated.

Search for Any Biased Opinions in the Article

The second step of this process is cross-checking the piece for biased opinions by comparing their opinions and facts.

Establish How the Author Interprets Other People’s Viewpoints

It takes keenness to establish one’s fingerprints of political affiliation and slants. However, you can work around this point by looking at the concept of animal studies. How so?

Notably, most people talk about or get into specific industries because of their emotional involvement in these fields. For instance, people who write about animal rights are likely to be lovers of animals. Moreso, they are more likely to express their bias toward the topic and give it more importance than it deserves. In your how to critique a research article example, focus more on the author’s tone when writing about the topic.

Another way to hack this stage is by highlighting how the author overstates specific sections to their own beliefs. You are more likely to establish logical fallacies to add to your list of pointers in step 1.

Check Cited Sources

Establishing whether the author cited unverifiable sources of information is a significant step in critiquing. Unfortunately, it is one of the most tasking steps. It requires a certain level of expertise and, at times, an article review example to understand. As a result, I would like to introduce you to EssayAxe.

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Evaluate the Language Used in the Article

This is the final step in the journal critique format. Regardless of the topic, language is vital in every academic paper. Therefore, while critiquing an article, pay attention to the author’s command of language. For instance, the author might use words with cultural meanings. So, if you are not careful, you might misinterpret them.

This detailed guide on how to critique an article highlights the checks and balances you need to know during the process. Remember, it is an intensive process that requires maximum concentration and open-mindedness. Nonetheless, if you need help, reach out to EssayAxe for help.