Mastering Critical Reviews: A Comprehensive Guide for Effective Writing

1. Critical Review Writing Workshop Critical Review KEY TRAITS • IDEAS • Presents an opinion statement that includes an explanation of the criteria the writer used in judging the work • Uses quotations, paraphrases, or other evidence from the work to support the opinion statement • Provides background information to help the reader understand the review . . .continued

2. Critical Review Writing Workshop Critical Review KEY TRAITS 2. ORGANIZATION • Identifies the work being analyzed in a thoughtful introduction • Is clearly organized • Uses transitions to connect ideas • Summarizes the writer’s opinion in a persuasive conclusion 3. VOICE • Considers the potential audience for the review • Maintains a tone that matches the writer’s purpose . . .continued

3. Critical Review Writing Workshop Critical Review KEY TRAITS 4. WORD CHOICE • Uses accurate literary, film, or drama terms to discuss the work 5. SENTENCE FLUENCY • Varies sentence lengths to keep the review from becoming choppy or long-winded 6. CONVENTIONS • Employs correct grammar and usage . . .continued

4. Reread or rewatch the work. Freewrite about your overall impression of the work and about details that caught your attention. Circle any words or phrases that could become the focus for your critical review. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 1. Revisit the work you are reviewing. TIP: Choose a work that stirs your emotions – either positively or negatively. . . .continued

5. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 2. Focus on a few key elements. Take another look at your freewriting. Which elements of the work most influenced your overall impression? Questions like the ones shown here can help you. . . .continued

6. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 3. Develop an opinion statement. An opinion statement summarizes your judgment of the work you are reviewing. It also lists the criteria, or standards, you used to reach that judgment. . . .continued

7. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 4. Find evidence that supports your opinion. In your prewriting notes, list the criteria you used in forming your opinion. Then find examples and details in the work that support your point. . . .continued

8. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 1. Outline your review. Creating an informal outline will help you focus your thoughts and organize the information you want to present. TIP: Consider putting your most convincing point last to give your review a strong ending. . . .continued

9. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 2. Make your introduction appealing. This writer began her review with her audience in mind. She wanted to convince her classmates that a story from the 1800s is still worth reading. . . .continued

10. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 3. Use accurate terminology. If you’re reviewing a work of fiction, use literary terms. If you’re reviewing a production of a play, discuss sets, costumes, lighting, and so on. See page 834: Literary Terms . . .continued

11. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 4. Conclude your review with a recommendation. Summarize your review and offer the reader your opinion on whether the work is worth seeking out. . . .continued

12. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 1. Make sure your tone is appropriate. • Underline places where your tone is too casual or jargon-filled for your audience. • Rewrite the passages you’ve underlined so that the tone is appropriate and consistent. . . .continued

13. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 2. Vary the length of your sentences. • Too many long sentences can confuse a reader, while too many short sentences can make your review sound choppy and immature. [Bracket] your longest sentence and two or three short sentences in a row, if you have them. • Try to break up long sentences and combine short sentences. . . .continued

14. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 3. Think about how much background information you are providing. • Background information helps readers understand your review. However, if you include too much, you risk crowding out your own thoughts about the work. • On the basis of a peer reader’s comments, shorten your summary or add details to it. See page 834: Ask a Peer Reader . . .continued

15. Circle vague, overused opinion words, such as great, nice, interesting, boring, stupid, or terrible. • Replace them with specific words, such as fast-paced, imaginative, surprising, outdated, melodramatic, or predictable. Critical Review Writing Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing What Should I Do? What Does It Look Like? 4. State your opinions clearly.