How to Write a Critique: A Complete Guide

Introduction 

Typically, the introduction is short (less than 10% of the word length) and you should: 

Name the work being reviewed as well as the date it was created and the name of the author/creator. 
Describe the main argument or purpose of the work. 

Explain the context in which the work was created. This could include the social or political  context, the place of the work in a creative or academic tradition, or the relationship between  the work and the creator’s life experience. 

Have a concluding sentence that signposts what your evaluation of the work will be. For  instance, it may indicate whether it is a positive, negative, or mixed evaluation. 

Summary 
Briefly summarise the main points and objectively describe how the creator portrays these by using techniques, styles, media, characters or symbols. This summary should not be the focus of the critique and is usually shorter than the critical evaluation. 

Critical evaluation 
This section should give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was able to achieve the purpose through these. For example: you would assess the plot structure, characterisation and setting of a novel; an assessment of a painting would look at composition, brush strokes, colour and light; a critique of a research project would look at subject selection, design of the experiment, analysis of data and conclusions. 

A critical evaluation does not simply highlight negative impressions. It should deconstruct the work and identify both strengths and weaknesses. It should examine the work and evaluate its success, in light of its purpose. 

Examples of key critical questions that could help your assessment include: 
Who is the creator? Is the work presented objectively or subjectively? 
What are the aims of the work? Were the aims achieved? 
What techniques, styles, media were used in the work? Are they effective in portraying the purpose? 
What assumptions underlie the work? Do they affect its validity? 
What types of evidence or persuasion are used? Has evidence been interpreted fairly? 
How is the work structured? Does it favour a particular interpretation or point of view? Is it effective? 
Does the work enhance understanding of key ideas or theories? Does the work engage (or fail to engage) with key concepts or other works in its discipline? 

This evaluation is written in formal academic style and logically presented. Group and order your ideas into paragraphs. Start with the broad impressions first and then move into the details of the technical elements. For shorter critiques, you may discuss the strengths of the works, and then the weaknesses. In longer critiques, you may wish to discuss the positive and negative of each key critical question in individual paragraphs. 

To support the evaluation, provide evidence from the work itself, such as a quote or example, and you should also cite evidence from related sources. Explain how this evidence supports your evaluation of the work .

Conclusion 
This is usually a very brief paragraph, which includes: 
A statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work 
A summary of the key reasons, identified during the critical evaluation, why this evaluation was formed. 
In some circumstances, recommendations for improvement on the work may be appropriate. 

Mentioned the name of the work, the date of its creation and the name of the creator? 
Accurately summarised the work being critiqued? 
Mainly focused on the critical evaluation of the work? 
Systematically outlined an evaluation of each element of the work to achieve the overall purpose? 
used evidence, from the work itself as well as other sources, to back and illustrate my assessment of elements of of the work? 
formed an overall evaluation of the work, based on critical reading? 
used a well structured introduction, body and conclusion? 
used correct grammar, spelling and punctuation; clear presentation; and appropriate referencing style? 

Learning Outcomes 
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: 
Critically evaluate techniques for managing people, mitigating risk, estimating cost and ensuring quality and methodologies for project management 

Critically review balances between project variables, such as time, cost, quality and scope 

EDGE 
The Cardiff Met EDGE supports students in graduating with the knowledge, skills, and attributes that allow them to contribute positively and effectively to the communities in which they live and work.