- Structure
- Introduction
- Summary
- Critical appraisal
- conclusion
- How to make a critical comment? (Step by Step)
- About written material (books, articles)
- Preparation
- Analysis
- Evaluation
- Drafting
- About a work of art
- Description
- Analysis
- Interpretation
- Writing the critical comment
- About a cinematographic work
- Preparation
- Analysis
- Drafting
- Example
- Introduction
- Summary
- Evaluation
- conclusion
- References
A critical commentary is a genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes and critically evaluates a work or concept. It can be used to analyze creative works, research papers, or even theories. In this sense, the range of works that may be subject to critical comment is wide.
This includes novels, movies, poetry, monographs, magazine articles, systematic reviews, and theories, among others. In general, this type of text uses a formal style of academic writing and has a clear structure: introduction, body and conclusion. The body includes a summary of the work and a detailed evaluation.
Thus, writing a critical comment is similar in many ways to writing a summary. Both make a presentation of the most important aspects of the work and review the results and their meaning. However, unlike abstracts, this one presents the writer's analysis and evaluation of the article.
It is not about pointing out faults or defects in the works; It should be a balanced assessment. Its purpose itself is to measure the usefulness or impact of a job in a particular field. In addition, it serves to develop knowledge of the subject area of the work or related works.
Structure
It is important that your criticism has a defined structure and is easy to follow. There are a variety of ways to structure a review. However, many opt for the classic structure, which is discussed below.
Introduction
Typically, the introduction of a critical comment is short (less than 10% of the total words in the text). This must contain the data of the work that is being analyzed: author, creation date, title, among others.
In addition, the introduction presents the main argument, theme or purpose of the work, as well as the context in which it was created. This could include the social or political context, or the place of its creation.
The introduction also notes the reviewer's evaluation of the work. For example, you can indicate whether it is a positive, negative, or mixed evaluation; or you can present the thesis or opinion on the work.
Summary
The summary briefly describes the main points of the work. It also presents objectively how the creator represents these points by using techniques, styles, media, characters or symbols.
However, this summary should not be the focus of the critical comment, and is generally shorter than the critical evaluation. Some authors recommend that it occupy no more than a third of the text.
Critical appraisal
This section should provide a systematic and detailed evaluation of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was able to achieve the purpose through these elements.
For example, if it is a novel, the plot structure, characterization, and theme can be evaluated. In the case of a painting, the composition, brushstrokes, color and light must be valued.
A critical comment doesn't just highlight negative impressions. You must deconstruct the work and identify both strengths and weaknesses, and you must examine the work and evaluate its success in light of its purpose.
To support the assessment, evidence must be provided within the job itself. This includes explaining how this evidence supports the job evaluation.
conclusion
The conclusion is usually a very short paragraph that includes the overall evaluation of the work and a summary of the key reasons. In some circumstances, recommendations to improve work may be appropriate.
How to make a critical comment? (Step by Step)
About written material (books, articles)
Preparation
- Read the entire book or article thoroughly and highlight or take notes on what you consider relevant.
- State the main points and the author's evidence to support those points.
- Reread the material to make sure you have understood the author's ideas.
- Make a summary. You can also make an outline with the main aspects of the reading.
Analysis
- Establish the main purpose of the author's book or article.
- Discuss the arguments that are used to support the main point and the evidence that supports them.
- Explain the conclusions reached by the author and how they have been reached.
- Compare the author's ideas with those of other writers on the same topic.
Evaluation
- Evaluate the content of the text and the way it is written.
- Write down both the positive and negative aspects.
- Assess the arguments, the evidence, the organization of the text and the presentation of the facts, among other elements.
- Contrast the author's points of view with one's own points of view, supporting the latter with valid arguments.
Drafting
- Write a standard essay: introduction, body and conclusion.
- Edit the text, checking writing and spelling.
About a work of art
Description
- Write down the essential information about the artist and about the artwork and its characteristics: title, materials, location, date of creation.
- Describe the art object: colors, shapes, texture, among others.
- Take notes on general aspects such as color contrasts, connections, and movement, shading, or repetition as a way to attract attention.
Analysis
- Evaluate if the elements of the work create anguish or harmony.
- Examine with a critical eye the principles and elements of art: balance, proportion, similarity, contrast, emphasis, among others.
- Analyze the elements and techniques applied by the artist.
- Go deeper and try to discover the hidden message that the artist wanted to convey.
- Look for historical foundations that became the basis of the work of art under analysis.
- Evaluate the work from an aesthetic angle.
Interpretation
- Explain their own thoughts and feelings when looking at the work of art.
- State if the work is successful and original, offering its arguments.
- Explain which characteristics of the art piece you consider most interesting and which are less successful.
- Offer an explanation of the work of art, from its first spontaneous reactions and impressions to this point in the process.
Writing the critical comment
- Create an outline with the structure of the critical comment you want to write.
- Provide a clear statement of the thesis that reflects your vision of the artistic piece.
- Use the notes from the previous sections to develop the body and the conclusion of the criticism.
About a cinematographic work
Preparation
- Watch the movie actively, not like an ordinary spectator.
- Take note of everything that catches your attention: what you like or dislike, any relevant dialogue or the way a character dresses, among other elements.
Analysis
- Identify the theme of the film. For example: unrequited love, revenge, survival, loneliness, among others.
- Define the genre of the film, place and time and point of view (who is the narrator?).
- Analyze the characters and their purposes, and the way in which the environment influences their attitudes and behaviors.
- Weigh the role of the director and producers, as well as other aspects such as music, visual effects, among others.
Drafting
- Write a critical comment indicating first the data of the film: title, director, actors and others.
- Comment on the main idea of the film and the thesis to defend (opinion about the work).
- Include a brief description of the story without delving into all the nuances and twists of the plot.
- Present the analysis of the deeper meanings, symbolism and cinematographic devices used.
- Offer the conclusions that support the thesis.
Example
The following text contains parts of a critical commentary on the book Witchcraft and Magic in Europe: Biblical and Pagan Societies, by MJ Geller (2004).
Introduction
- Authors: Marie-Louise Thomsen and Frederick H Cryer.
- Title: Witchcraft and Magic in Europe: Biblical and Pagan Societies, the Athlone History of Witchcraft and Magic in Europe series.
- Place, publisher and date: London, Athlone Press, 2001.
“The cultural impact of Mesopotamia and the Bible in Europe was crucial, and incidentally much greater than that of Egypt, although the systems of magic were more or less contemporary.
This book is a useful starting point, providing a general overview of witchcraft and magic with good examples of magical texts in translation.
Summary
“The book covers a wide range of relevant topics, paying particular attention to the art of witchcraft, followed by examples of protective magic, amulets, exorcisms, and the use of figurines and other ritual forms of magic.
Biblical evidence is less attested, with relatively few Old Testament examples for healing or exorcism, but these are dealt with comparatively with the material from Mesopotamia. "
Evaluation
“There is a general problem with this work that arises from the particular experience of the two authors, who have previously written intelligent books on related topics (…).
Unfortunately, this book is an attempt to cover the broader field of "magic" by presenting a less technical and more general discussion for a popular audience, but it depends on your respective previous work (…).
For example, Thomsen's bibliography hardly includes works published after 1987, although the present book was published in 2001, and he gives too much importance to witchcraft in the context of magic (…).
On the other hand, Cryer confuses divination and magic, and assumes that divination is part of magic, without considering the possibility that divination in ancient times was treated as a separate discipline.
Divination was the responsibility of the barû priest in Mesopotamia, while magic was directed by the Åšipu or exorcist. Magic was used to counter a bad omen (in so-called Namburbî enchantments).
So there was no magic in divination or prophecy; the processes, theory, and practices of divination and magic had little in common.
Finally, Cryer's discussion also does not take into account the biblical phrase, 'do not let a witch live' (Exodus 22:17), which has been interpreted as a general attack on the use of magic in ancient Israel (…) ".
conclusion
"Despite these criticisms, the book is useful to readers who have no prior knowledge of the ancient magic of the Near East, and they will find the book an easy and enjoyable read."
References
- Queensland University of Technology. (s / f). What is a critique? Taken from citewrite.qut.edu.au.
- Beall, H. and Trimbur, J. (1998). How to Read a Scientific Article. In E. Scanlon et al. (editors), Communicating Science: Professional Contexts. New York: Taylor & Francis.
- University of South Wales. (2013, August 21). How to Write a Critique. Taken from studyskills.southwales.ac.uk.
- Julia, P. (2018. April 29). Simple Techniques of Effective Art Critique Writing. Taken from custom-writing.org.
- Margalef, JM (2011). The critical commentary of the press in the PAU. Madrid: MEDIASCOPE.
- Star Writers. (2016, July 18). Steps for Writing Movie Critique Essay. Taken from star-writers.com.
- University of New South Wales. (s / f). Structure of a Critical Review. Taken from student.unsw.edu.au.