Critiquing A Text

Quarter 1 – Module 6:
Using critical approaches in

writing a critique
Critiquing
 From the root word “criticize”.

 genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes
and critically evaluates a work or concept.
 When we critique, We question the text, we argue
with it, and we examine into it for deeper
meanings.
Critiquing
 When you critique a text, you pay attention to

things like whether the author makes sense, if the
writing is clear, and if there are any mistakes or
things that could be better.
 You might also talk about what you liked or didn't
like in the text and why.
Approaches in Critiquing Academic Texts
 thorough analysis of the text is important to write a good

paper
 Do not analyze a work in terms of what you would like to
see; but what you actually observe
 separate your assumptions from the author's assumptions.
Approaches in Critiquing Academic Texts
 The following are the approaches in

critiquing academic works:
 Formalism
 Feminism
Formalism
 a critical approach in which the text under discussion is

considered primarily in the meaning and the implications of
the words.
 an approach in literary and academic criticism that focuses
primarily on the form, structure, and language of a text.
 Formalist critics pay a lot of attention to the work itself and its
internal elements.
Formalism
 They're less interested in the author's background or the

historical context in which the work was created.
 often explore the use of symbolism and imagery in the work.
For example, they might look at how a repeated image or
metaphor is used to represent a particular idea or theme.
 focuses on what is present within the text rather than bringing
in external factors.
Formalism
 Formalists closely examine the structure of a text, looking at

how it is organized, how the plot unfolds, and how characters
are developed.
 Imagery and symbolism are often key elements of formalist
analysis - Critics examine the images and symbols within the
text. For example, the repeated image of a crow in a poem
might symbolize death or darkness.
Formalism
 formalism as being like an investigator examining a

complex puzzle. The pieces of the puzzle are the words,
sentences, and artistic elements within the work.
Formalists carefully study how these pieces fit together
to create the overall picture or message, without being
distracted by the puzzle's creator or the room where it
was assembled. It's a way of appreciating and
understanding the work in its purest form.
Feminism
 This approach is concerned with the ways in which the text

reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social, and
psychological oppression of women.
 Feminist criticism ultimate goal is to change the world by
promoting gender equality.
 Feminist analysis is interested in how men and women are
portrayed and how power is distributed between them.
Feminism
 Feminists question and challenge stereotypes and

traditional roles that are often associated with
gender.
 They look at whether the text reinforces these
stereotypes or challenges them. For instance, does the
female character play a passive role, or does she break
away from traditional gender expectations?
Feminism
 The feminist approach isn't just about critiquing; it's also

about empowerment and advocacy. It seeks to raise
awareness of gender inequalities and promote positive
change, both in literature and in the real world.
 Feminism critiques patriarchal structures. It questions how
patriarchy is reflected in the text and how it might be
challenged or reinforced
Feminism
 Feminists pay attention to how women are

represented in texts.
 They look at whether female characters are
portrayed as complex individuals with their
own goals and agency, or if they're reduced to
one-dimensional roles.
How to write a critique
 1. Study the work under discussion.

 2. Take notes on key parts of the work.
 3. Develop an understanding of the main argument being
expressed in the work.
 a critique uses an academic writing style and has a clear

structure, that is, an introduction, body and conclusion.
Introduction
 Typically is short
 describe the main argument or purpose of
the work here
 Briefly summarizes the main points
Body
 should give a systematic body and detailed

assessment of the different elements of the
work
 the body should include a summary of the
work and a detailed evaluation.
Conclusion
 This is usually a very brief paragraph,

 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;
Formalism approach Feminism approach
The anti-smoking campaign poster is The anti smoking – campaign poster
designed to appeal to the smokers to quit concerns with the harmful effects of
from smoking. The poster works against the smoking. This is designed to create an
allure of cigarettes and upsets the routine association between the smoking
presence in popular smoking culture. behavior and its ultimate
This poster uses negative images consequences.
concerning bad effects of the cigarette. It In the poster, the man portrays the
sends messages that using tobacco may role of the smoker and a woman‟s image
harm other people. It emphasize that is used to portray the effects of
secondhand cigarette
smoke harms non-smokers due to use. The idea of using of woman‟s image
person who use tobacco. On the other as suggests that women are more
element of the poster, this uses prone
sophisticated to the effect of cigarette use than men.
graphic design techniques to encourage the Thus, in this element, the poster
viewer to stop smoking. The entire image of contradicts to what is really the culture
the woman metaphorically illustrates the of
need to "break the habit" of smoking, a smoking in the society. As the study
common mantra in smoking cessation shown, about 35 percent of men in
campaigns. While the tagline compliments developed countries smoke (Mackay
to and
the woman‟s image, it also strikes a strong Eriksen, 2002). For women, the pattern
message why is there a need to quit from is
smoking. reversed, about 9 percent in developed
Reflecting the style and polish of this countries smoke. The beauty of the
campaign, this poster is significant because woman countenance attracts audience
it provides a graphic illustration for the specially men. This really supports the
behavioral change it advocates. The poster idea of marketing which women images
calls for control of nicotine addiction, are used to attract men clients.
offering
How to write a critique
 Your critique should written in academic style and logically presented.

 Order your ideas into paragraphs. Start with the broad impressions first
 And then move into the details of the technical element
 To support your critique, provide evidence from the work itself, such as a quote or
examples.

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Quarter 1 – Module 6:

Using critical approaches in

 From the root word “criticize”.

 When you critique a text, you pay attention to

 thorough analysis of the text is important to write a good

 The following are the approaches in

 a critical approach in which the text under discussion is

 They're less interested in the author's background or the

 Formalists closely examine the structure of a text, looking at

 formalism as being like an investigator examining a

 This approach is concerned with the ways in which the text

 Feminists question and challenge stereotypes and

 The feminist approach isn't just about critiquing; it's also

 Feminists pay attention to how women are

 1. Study the work under discussion.

 a critique uses an academic writing style and has a clear

 should give a systematic body and detailed

 This is usually a very brief paragraph,

 Your critique should written in academic style and logically presented.

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