1. Writing a Good Critical Review Essay
All the Tricks of the Trade

2. The Art of the Critical Review
An assessment of another author’s work - your opinion
Evaluates and critiques the work by considering the author’s arguments, structure, evidence and logic
Criticizes, but also gives credit when credit is due
Could take side in a debate
Could choose to evaluate one central idea or concept
Should be constructive: It is not enough to write, “I do not like the way the argument is developed.”  What is wrong with the argument and how could it be made better? 

3. Critical Reading
A question-guided process – need to ask appropriate questions
What is the subject or topic of the article?
What is the thesis or main argument? If the author wanted you to take away one idea, what would it be? Do think this is a good idea? Bad idea? In between?
If you had to summarize (simplify) your article intro three or four main points (literally three or four sentences) what would they be?
How does the author support his/her argument? What evidence does he/she use? Do you think this is good evidence? How do you know?
Overall, what do you think of the author's arguments, use of evidence and logic?
Is there one point that you find problematic or weak? Is there one point that you find really strong?

4. Additional Research?
Not necessary, but you can look at other secondary sources on your topic (especially if you need more background on the historical events in your article)
Use Sheridan’s library
The Canadian Encyclopedia -
The Dictionary of Canadian Biography -

5. Academic Integrity: It’s All About Attribution
When writing an assignment, you must use your own words and thoughts.
When you refer to thoughts and ideas from other sources (journal articles, books, Internet) you must provide a reference.
Whenever you use another person’s thoughts and ideas, you must both acknowledge that these are not your own and reference the original source.
When you use another person’s exact phrasing, you must use quotation marks or an indentation (if more than 4 lines) to distinguish the text or material taken from that source from your own.

6. Academic Integrity: It’s all About Attribution
When paraphrasing what another person has stated, you must re-write it, using completely different language. You can’t simply change a couple of words – re-write the thought and reference the source.
When you refer to thoughts and ideas from other sources (journal articles, books, Internet) you must provide a reference.
e.g. According to Miyagawa…
In this course, you can use MLA, APA or Chicago – guides are posted on SLATE

7. The Structure of Your Review
Introduction and Thesis Statement – 3 to 4 sentences
Summary – Max. 1-2 paragraphs
Critical Assessment
Conclusion – 1 paragraph
Bibliography

8. Part 1: Summary Summary of the article’s content/argument
Keep it concise
Only mention main ideas/arguments
If you had to summarize (simplify) your article intro three or four main points (literally three or four sentences) what would they be?

9. Part 2: Brainstorming Your Assessment
What is the thesis or main argument? If the author wanted you to take away one idea, what would it be? Do think this is a good idea? Bad idea? In between?
How does the author support his/her argument? What evidence does he/she use? Do you think this is good evidence? How do you know?
Overall, what do you think of the author's arguments, use of evidence and logic?
Is there one point that you find problematic or weak? Is there one point that you find really strong?
Using your answers to these questions determine what you are going focus on in your review. What do you want to say about your article?

10. Part 3: Introduction
This should be a relatively short paragraph that includes the name of the author and article title; the main thesis of the article; your overall assessment of the article
E.g. In “A Sorry State” journalist Mitch Miyagawa evaluates the official apologies for historic injustices that have been issued by various Canadian governments over the past decades.
Like essays, good book reviews have a thesis statement, which is the argument you will be making in the review 

11. Thesis Statement Thesis statement is usually one, complex sentence
(e.g) “Wolfe’s Men”: In this article, the author successfully argues that Wolfe was a bold leader who refused to listen to his cautious advisers, effectively improved the professionalism of his men, and took an energetic approach to the siege of Quebec. That said, the author places too much emphasis on Wolfe’s decision-making, ignoring other factors, including the mistakes made by the French and the role played by luck.
“A Sorry State”: While official state apologies can inspire a nation to reflect on its history, Miyagawa is correct to point out that too often they are used to simply forget and move on, rather than serving as a foundation for true reconciliation.

12. Part 4: Critical Analysis
Critical analysis and assessment of the author’s argument
The heart of your paper
Where you prove your thesis
A series of paragraphs

13. The Timbers: The Body of the Essay
The essay will require as many paragraphs as you have themes to develop
Lay out your arguments in a logical order
One Paragraph = One Idea (a theme could require multiple one idea paragraphs)
As a rule of thumb, good paragraphs are 200 to 250 words long, about half a page, or six to eight sentences
The importance of strong topic and concluding sentences

14. Key Points When commenting on historical events keep in the past tense
Don’t assume your audience knows what you’re talking about – fully identify and explain all new concepts, ideas, people, events
No Plagiarism…Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rewrite and Proofread

15. Part 4: Conclusion
Conclusion: a very brief summary of your overall assessment of the article
Keep in mind that it is the last thing your professor will read before assigning a grade