Writing a Critical Review

Evaluate strengths and weaknesses with evidence.

Examples

• Although persuasive, the argument ignores...

Key rules

• A critical review evaluates a work's strengths and weaknesses using evidence and clear criteria
• Summarise briefly, then evaluate
• Support each judgement with a quotation or example

Common mistakes

• The book is good and some parts are boring. → Although the argument is persuasive, it overlooks the economic costs described in chapter four.

Use cases

• Journal reviews
• Literature assignments
• Film and theatre criticism