After Reading

KEY TRAITS

Writing Workshop

Critical Review

. . .continued

1. IDEAS

• Presents an opinion statement that includes an explanation of the criteria the writer used in judging the work

• Uses quotations, paraphrases, or other evidence from the work to support the opinion statement

• Provides background information to help the reader understand the review

Critical Review

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Critical Review

. . .continued

3. VOICE• Considers the potential audience for the review

• Maintains a tone that matches the writer’s purpose

Critical Review

KEY TRAITS

2. ORGANIZATION• Identifies the work being analyzed in a thoughtful

introduction

• Is clearly organized

• Uses transitions to connect ideas

• Summarizes the writer’s opinion in a persuasive conclusion

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Critical Review

. . .continued

5. SENTENCE FLUENCY

6. CONVENTIONS

• Varies sentence lengths to keep the review from becoming choppy or long-winded

• Employs correct grammar and usage

Critical Review

KEY TRAITS

4. WORD CHOICE• Uses accurate literary, film, or drama terms to

discuss the work

After ReadingWriting Workshop

. . .continued

Critical Review

What Should I Do?1. Revisit the work you are

reviewing.

TIP: Choose a work that stirs your emotions – either positively or negatively.

What Does It Look Like?

Reread or rewatch the work. Freewrite about your overall impression of the work and about details that caught your attention. Circle any words or phrases that could become the focus for your critical review.

Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

After ReadingWriting Workshop

. . .continued

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

2. Focus on a few key elements.

What Does It Look Like?

Take another look at your freewriting. Which elements of the work most influenced your overall impression? Questions like the ones shown here can help you.

Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

After ReadingWriting Workshop

. . .continued

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

3. Develop an opinion statement.

What Does It Look Like?

An opinion statement summarizes your judgment of the work you are reviewing. It also lists the criteria, or standards, you used to reach that judgment.

Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

4. Find evidence that supports your opinion.

What Does It Look Like?

In your prewriting notes, list the criteria you used in forming your opinion. Then find examples and details in the work that support your point.

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Drafting

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

1. Outline your review.

What Does It Look Like?

Creating an informal outline will help you focus your thoughts and organize the information you want to present.

TIP: Consider putting your most convincing point last to give your review a strong ending.

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Drafting

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

2. Make your introduction appealing.

What Does It Look Like?

This writer began her review with her audience in mind. She wanted to convince her classmates that a story from the 1800s is still worth reading.

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Drafting

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

3. Use accurate terminology.

What Does It Look Like?

If you’re reviewing a work of fiction, use literary terms. If you’re reviewing a production of a play, discuss sets, costumes, lighting, and so on.

See page 834: Literary Terms

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Drafting

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

4. Conclude your review with a recommendation.

What Does It Look Like?

Summarize your review and offer the reader your opinion on whether the work is worth seeking out.

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

1. Make sure your tone is appropriate.

What Does It Look Like?

• Underline places where your tone is too casual or jargon-filled for your audience. • Rewrite the passages you’ve underlined so that the tone is appropriate and consistent.

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

2. Vary the length of your sentences.

What Does It Look Like?

• Too many long sentences can confuse a reader, while too many short sentences can make your review sound choppy and immature. [Bracket] your longest sentence and two or three short sentences in a row, if you have them. • Try to break up long sentences and combine short sentences.

. . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

3. Think about how much background information you are providing.

What Does It Look Like?

• Background information helps readers understand your review. However, if you include too much, you risk crowding out your own thoughts about the work. • On the basis of a peer reader’s comments, shorten your summary or add details to it.

See page 834: Ask a Peer Reader . . .continued

After ReadingWriting Workshop

Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing

Critical Review

What Should I Do?

4. State your opinions clearly.

What Does It Look Like?

• Circle vague, overused opinion words, such as great, nice, interesting, boring, stupid, or terrible.• Replace them with specific words, such as fast-paced, imaginative, surprising, outdated, melodramatic, or predictable.