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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Critical Reviews

What is a critical review?

A critical review is usually a brief paper that summarizes one’s ideas retrieved from a research article or a book. A critical review also presents the critical evaluation of the presented data.

Why is it critical?

A critical review has nothing to do with criticism in its negative sense. If you have to write a critical review, you do not have to write about the negative sides of the book or article. Instead, objectivity of analysis will make your critical review into a professional work.

What can I critically review in such a work?

A critical review allows its author to consider, first of all, scholarly and research publications. Generally, your critical review can focus on any book, book chapter, journal or magazine article, etc. that you have read or your teacher wants you to read and review.

How can I write a critical review?

The first thing you have to do before writing a critical review is to read the work you are to consider in all details. As well, it is advisable to read some related works to be able to operate with the terms and definitions in the topic of your article or book. After reading, you can outline the structure of your critical review and start writing.

What is the structure of a critical review?

The traditional structure of a critical review includes four main components that are logically connected:

• Introduction;
• Summary;
• Critique;
• Conclusion.

In the introduction, you provide the topic background, while the summary is all about the plot of the work you are reviewing. In the critique section, your task is to objectively assess the findings and draw some parallels between them and other research findings you are acquainted with. Finally, the conclusion is where you summarize what you have just told about in your critical review.