Final Requirement-writing A Critical Essay.docx

Writing a Critical Essay In a critical analysis essay, you systematically evaluate a work’s effectiveness including what it does well and what it does poorly. It can be used to discuss a book, article or even a film. You must read the piece carefully and may need to look up terms or concepts you are unfamiliar with or research related reading prior to writing your essay. Title of the Book/ Movie/ Documentary: Author/s/ Director/ Casts: Introduction  state the title of the work, the author’s name and the date of publication  outline main ideas of the book and identify the author’s thesis  state your own thesis statement and your main idea about the work The novel, The Metamorphosis, by Frank Kafka is an excellent story because the author... The article “Narratives of intercultural transformation” by Ingrid Adams is informative and insightful because the author... Summary  briefly outline the main ideas of the book, article or film  should involve who, what, where, when, why and how  you may also choose to discuss the structure, style or point of view This book is about... The setting is... The main character... The theme is... The author argues that... The research was... The main points are... The authors conclude...

Analysis  critically state what you like and do not like about the book, article or film  explain your ideas with specific examples from the book, article or film  assess whether the author has achieved their intended goal  the analysis may look at whether the work is focused, understandable, persuasive, clear, informative original, exciting, interesting, well-written directed at the appropriate audience, meeting the purpose well researched, with appropriate conclusions, and more...

The analysis is made up of several different paragraphs. Conclusion  restate your thesis in new words  summarize your main ideas if possible with new and stronger words Historical Importance  the historical significance of the book/ movie, etc.  its total effect to the history of the Philippines

Rubric for Grading STANDARD CRITICAL ESSAY RUBRIC Excellent 5

Proficient 4

Satisfactory 3

Limited 2

Poor 1

Thought & Understanding Effectiveness of student ideas in relation to assignment. Quality of literary interpretations & understanding Supporting Evidence Selection & quality of evidence Integrated, synthesized and developed to support student ideas Form & Structure Coherent, focused, shaped & concluded discussion Unifying effect is developed and maintained

Ideas are insightful, demonstrating a comprehension of subtle distinctions in the literary texts and the topic. Literary interpretations are perceptive and illuminating

Ideas are thoughtful, demonstrating a wellconsidered comprehension of the literary texts and the topic. Literary interpretations are revealing and convincing.

Ideas are relevant & straightforward, demonstrating a generalized comprehension of the literary texts and the topic. Literary interpretations are general but plausible.

Ideas are superficial & oversimplified demonstrating a weak comprehension of the literary texts and the topic. Literary interpretations are incomplete and/or literal.

Ideas are largely absent or irrelevant and/or do not develop the topic. Little comprehension of the literary texts and/or topic is demonstrated.

Support is explicit, precise and deliberately chosen to reinforce the student's ideas in an effective and judicious way. A strong connection to the student's ideas is maintained.

Support is relevant, accurate and occasionally deliberately chosen to reinforce the student's ideas in a logical & clear way. A clear connection to the student's ideas is maintained. A considered arrangement of ideas and details contributes to a competent controlled discussion that concludes appropriately. The unifying effect or controlling idea is sustained & coherently presented.

Support is adequate & general, but occasionally lacking in persuasiveness & consistency. A straightforward connection to the student's ideas is maintained.

Support is often inappropriate or is a restatement of what was read and/or may be repetitive, contradictory and/or lacking. The connection to the student's ideas is vague and/or unclear.

Support is irrelevant, over-generalized, and/or lacking. The support, if present, is largely unrelated to any idea that may be present.

A discernible but ineffectual arrangement of ideas and details provides some direction for the discussion that does not conclude deliberately. A unifying effect or controlling idea is not maintained.

A haphazard arrangement of ideas and details provides little or no direction for the discussion, and a conclusion is absent or obscure. A unifying effect or controlling idea is absent.

Matters of Choice Diction, syntactic structures (parallelism, balance, inversion) & voice

Diction is precise & effective. Syntactic structures are effective & sometimes polished. Stylistic choices contribute to a confident composition with a convincing voice.

Diction is specific. Syntactic structures are generally effective. Stylistic choices contribute to a competent composition with a capable voice.

A straightforward arrangement of ideas and details provides direction for the discussion that concludes functionally. The unifying effect or controlling idea is presented and maintained generally, however, coherence may falter. Diction is adequate but may be lacking in specificity. Syntactic structures are generally clear, but attempts at complex structures may be awkward. Stylistic choices contribute to a clear composition with a matter of fact voice.

Diction is overgeneralized and/or inaccurate. Syntax is confused and uncontrolled. The writing is unclear. Lack of language choices contributes to a confusing composition with an ineffective voice.

Matters of Correctness Sentence construction, usage, grammar, mechanics

This writing demonstrates confidence in control of correct sentence construction, usage, grammar and mechanics. The relative absence of error is impressive considering the complexity of the response & the circumstances.

This writing demonstrates competence in control of correct sentence construction, usage, grammar, & mechanics. Minor errors in complex language structures are understandable considering the circumstances.

Diction is imprecise and/or inappropriate. Syntax is frequently awkward and/or immature. The writing may be vague, redundant and/or unclear. Inadequate language choices contribute to a composition with an undiscerning or uncritical voice. This writing demonstrates faltering control of correct sentence construction, usage, grammar and mechanics. The range of errors blurs the clarity of communication.

An effective arrangement of ideas and details contributes to a fluent, controlled and shaped discussion that concludes skilfully. The unifying effect or controlling idea is successfully sustained and integrated & coherently presented.

This writing demonstrates control of the basics of correct sentence construction, usage, grammar and mechanics. There may be occasional lapses in control and minor errors. However, the communication remains clear.

This writing demonstrates lack of control of correct sentence construction, usage, grammar and mechanics. Jarring errors impair communication.