Critical Analysis of a Research ArticlePaper details:
Students will have a total of three critical analysis papers, each consisting of 5 – 8 pages, throughout this course.The purpose for writing a critical analysis is to evaluate somebody’s work in order to increase understanding of it. A critical analysis is considered subjective writing because it expresses your evaluation of someone else’s work. Analysis means to break down and study the parts. Writing a critical paper requires two steps: critical reading and critical writing.
Consider the following questions while engaging in critical reading.
• Who is the intended audience?
• What is the author’s purpose? To survey and summarize research on a topic? To present an argument that builds on past research? To refute another writer’s argument?
• Does the author define important terms?
• Is the information in the article fact or opinion? (Facts can be verified, while opinions arise from interpretations of facts.)
• Does the information seem well-researched or is it unsupported?
• What are the author’s central arguments or conclusions? Are they clearly stated? Are they supported by evidence and analysis?
• If the article reports on an experiment or study, does the author clearly outline methodology and the expected result?
• Is the article lacking information or argumentation that you expected to find?
• Is the article organized logically and easy to follow?
• Does the writer’s style suit the intended audience? Is the style stilted or unnecessarily complicated?
• Is the author’s language objective or charged with emotion and bias?
• If illustrations or charts are used, are they effective in presenting information?
After the theoretical reading under analysis has been carefully studied, the critique can be drafted using this sample outline.
I. Background information to help audience understand the nature of the work
A. Information about the work
1. Title
2. Author
3. Publication information
4. Statement of topic and purpose
B. Thesis statement indicating writer’s main understanding, synthesis and reaction to the work
II. Summary or description of the work
III. Interpretation and/or evaluation
A. Discussion of the work’s organization
B. Discussion of the work’s style
C. Effectiveness
D. Discussion of the topic’s treatment
E. Discussion of appeal to a particular audience
Avoid introducing your ideas by stating “I think” or “in my opinion.” Keep the focus on the subject of your analysis, not on yourself. Identifying your opinions weakens them.
Always introduce the work. Do not assume that because your reader knows what you are writing about, you do not need to mention the work’s title.
Other questions to consider:
• Is there a controversy surrounding either the passage or the subject which it concerns?
• What about the subject matter is of current interest?
• What is the overall value of the passage?
• What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Support your analysis with detailed evidence you have examined. Do not forget to cite quotes and paraphrases. Remember that the purpose of a critical analysis is not merely to inform, but also to evaluate the worth, utility, excellence, distinction, truth, validity, beauty, or goodness of something. Your review should provide information, interpretation, and evaluation. Avoid just writing an opinion piece. The information will help your reader understand the nature of the work under analysis. The interpretation will explain the meaning of the work, therefore requiring your correct understanding of it. The evaluation will discuss your opinions of the work and present valid justification for them.

Use no less than five (5) primary source to support your analysis. Use standard APA format, 12 point font, Times New Roman, double spaced, 1 inch margins and you do not need to include an abstract.