Writing an

Independent
Critique
 MELC 3: Compose an Independent
Critique
Enabling Objectives:
1. Identify the common Elements of
narratives;
2. Evaluate sample critiques about
Objectives work fiction; and
3. Write an in-depth evaluation of a
story in the form of a critique
Preliminary Activity
Elicit

Choose the letter of the best

answer.
1. Which of these terms is
often used interchangeably
with the word “critique”?
A. Summary Elicit
B. Synopsis
C. Review
D. Report
2. Which of these story
elements is not tackled in a
critique?
Elicit
A. Characterization
B. Conflict
C. Plot
D. None of the above
3. What information or details is
usually included in a critique’s
introduction?
A. structure of the plot
Elicit
B. authenticity of the conflict
C. significance of the dialogues
D. background or summary of the
text
4. Which of these questions should be asked
when analyzing the characters in a narrative?
A. How are the characters developed and what
makes them interesting and relatable?
B. Are there equal number of male and female
characters? Elicit
C. Who among the characters is likeable and
who is not?
D. Why is the protagonist not a superhero
material?
5. What detail can a critic use
best to support his/her evaluation
of a story?
A. Opinions of those who read
Elicit
the story
B. Quotes from the story itself
C. Statements of the author
D. Reviews of other critics
6. A critique is intended
primarily to point out the
faults or flaws in work.
A. True Elicit
B. False
C. Maybe
D. Not sure
 For numbers 7-10, identify the correct
order of these steps in writing a critique by
assigning the numbers 1 to 4.
_7. Give recommendations as needed.
4_8. Give a short summary of the story.
_9. Give an overall evaluation of the story. Elicit
1_10. State your analysis of the setting,
characterization, plot, etc.
3

2
 Writing an
Independent
Critique
Engage
Group Work:
Go over each of the following
scenarios and then choose one for this
activity. You are to write your response
to the question and then identify five
qualities that make a film or reading
material worth reading or viewing.
 Scenarios:
1. Your family recently subscribed to Netflix, which
gives you access to many of the classic and the latest
movies. What movie would you be watching
immediately? Why?

2. The city library updated its shelves with lots of fiction

books courtesy of private donors. What book would
you most likely borrow first? Why?
 Template:
The number 1 movie/book that I would like to enjoy is
_____________________________________________________________
________.
This is because it meets my criteria of a good movie/book, namely:
1. _________________________________________________________
________
2. _________________________________________________________
________
3. _________________________________________________________
________
4. _________________________________________________________
________
5. _________________________________________________________
________
CRITIQUE
• A critique is a paper that gives a critical
assessment of a book or an article.

• A critique is an in-depth evaluation of a story,

novel, film, or other reading/viewing materials
for the purpose of giving the public an insight
into the text.
 What are the
elements that make
the critique so
informative?
CHARACTERIZATION SETTING
A literary device that allows
The representation of the
the writer of a narrative to
traits, motives, and establish the time, location,
psychology of a character and environment in which it
in a narrative. takes place.
 CONFLICT PLOT
A literary device The series of events that comprise
a story’s main action. It is
characterized by a typically made up of a sequence
struggle between two of individual but connected
elements that compels the main
opposing forces. character (s) to embark on a
journey.
 THEME STYLE
A literary device that refers to the
central, deeper meaning of a literary devices that an
written work. Theme is often
what creates a memorable and author employs to create
significant experience of a a distinct feel for a work.
literary work for the reader.
 In assessing the said elements,
Engage there are certain questions that
the critic should ask. David
Farland (2017) and other critics
enumerated some questions one
might use to judge a story or
other narratives:
 SETTING CHARACTERI- COFLICT &
• How well was the ZATION PLOT
setting developed? • How well-drawn are the • Is there a conflict in
• Does it appeal to more characters in the story?
than one of the senses? • Do we know enough about
the story? Is the plot
• Does it inform or them (life, attitudes, some
interesting, original
connect to other type of history, etc.) to
and well-developed?
aspects of the story make them interesting and
• Are there unnecessary
such as character relatable? and confusing
development and • Are there unnecessary subplots?
narrative style? characters?
 THEME STYLE
• How well does the • How distinctive or unique is
the writing style?
story speak to the • Are there literary devices or
readers? techniques used?
• Does it raise questions • Is it purposeful?
about life, or provide • Does the style remind you of
any other authors you have
profound insights? read?
 • Avoid introducing your ideas by stating “I think”
or “In my opinion” because this weakens the
Additional analysis.
• Always introduce the work. Do not assume that
the readers know what you are writing about and
Reminders: that you don’t need to mention some details
anymore.
• To be able to write a good critique and help
readers understand the story, you yourself should
know well what you are writing about.
Explain
Group
Activity
Organize the following steps to
develop a coherent and cohesive
critique. Copy the statements and
write them in the correct box.
INTROD
UC-
TION

BODY

CONCL
U-SION
Elaborate
Sample
Critique
 “Lee” published by Crime Factory (Posted by Abdulat 8/10/2008 12:46:00PM)
I recently finished a fiction anthology called “Lee.” The book features seventeen short stories, all written by
crime writers and inspired by Lee Marvin — his life, his movies. The stories flow in chronological order with the
first taking place in 1944 and the last in 1987, just after Lee died. Frankly, I thought the concept was a little goofy,
and I didn’t really expect the book to be that good. I bought it only because its publisher, Crime Factory, had
published two of my short stories. I liked what they’d done in their journal, and figured I’d check out what else
they’ve brought to the world.
I am happy to admit that I was very wrong. Not only is every story in the collection really good, but it turns
out that the concept really worked. In a word, the book rocks! It was fun to see how the different authors tackled
the task of writing a Lee Marvin-inspired story. I particularly liked the stories: “1966: Just Swell,” “Cameron
Ashley,” “1967: The Gun Hunter.” Eric Beetner’s novel The Devil Doesn’t Want Me has now moved up to number
three on my reading list, which hopefully means I’ll get to it in June.
I feel good that in my own little way I’m associated with these writers tangentially.
Finishing “Lee” has also made me more interested in Lee Marvin’s movies. I watched The Man who Shot
Liberty Valence during a film class in college and was blown away by his performance, but I don’t think I’d seen
another one of his movies. And I consider myself something of an old film buff, but I took a step forward
correcting this oversight last night by watching The Dirty Dozen — awesome!
 1. Where does the writer present
some background and summary
Guide Questions: of the text?

 Notice that the writer presents the

background and the summary in
the first paragraph.
 “Lee” published by Crime Factory (Posted by Abdulat 8/10/2008 12:46:00PM)
I recently finished a fiction anthology called “Lee.” The book features seventeen short stories, all written by
crime writers and inspired by Lee Marvin — his life, his movies. The stories flow in chronological order with the
first taking place in 1944 and the last in 1987, just after Lee died. Frankly, I thought the concept was a little goofy,
and I didn’t really expect the book to be that good. I bought it only because its publisher, Crime Factory, had
published two of my short stories. I liked what they’d done in their journal, and figured I’d check out what else
they’ve brought to the world.
I am happy to admit that I was very wrong. Not only is every story in the collection really good, but it turns
out that the concept really worked. In a word, the book rocks! It was fun to see how the different authors tackled
the task of writing a Lee Marvin-inspired story. I particularly liked the stories: “1966: Just Swell,” “Cameron
Ashley,” “1967: The Gun Hunter.” Eric Beetner’s novel The Devil Doesn’t Want Me has now moved up to number
three on my reading list, which hopefully means I’ll get to it in June.
I feel good that in my own little way I’m associated with these writers tangentially.
Finishing “Lee” has also made me more interested in Lee Marvin’s movies. I watched The Man who Shot
Liberty Valence during a film class in college and was blown away by his performance, but I don’t think I’d seen
another one of his movies. And I consider myself something of an old film buff, but I took a step forward
correcting this oversight last night by watching The Dirty Dozen — awesome!
 2. Would you say the background
information about the text is enough?
Guide Questions: Why?

 However, the background is not enough

to inform the readers what “Lee” is all
about, making them unable to relate to
the critic’s impressions about it.
 “Lee” published by Crime Factory (Posted by Abdulat 8/10/2008 12:46:00PM)
I recently finished a fiction anthology called “Lee.” The book features seventeen short stories, all written by
crime writers and inspired by Lee Marvin — his life, his movies. The stories flow in chronological order with the
first taking place in 1944 and the last in 1987, just after Lee died. Frankly, I thought the concept was a little goofy,
and I didn’t really expect the book to be that good. I bought it only because its publisher, Crime Factory, had
published two of my short stories. I liked what they’d done in their journal, and figured I’d check out what else
they’ve brought to the world.
I am happy to admit that I was very wrong. Not only is every story in the collection really good, but it turns
out that the concept really worked. In a word, the book rocks! It was fun to see how the different authors tackled
the task of writing a Lee Marvin-inspired story. I particularly liked the stories: “1966: Just Swell,” “Cameron
Ashley,” “1967: The Gun Hunter.” Eric Beetner’s novel The Devil Doesn’t Want Me has now moved up to number
three on my reading list, which hopefully means I’ll get to it in June.
I feel good that in my own little way I’m associated with these writers tangentially.
Finishing “Lee” has also made me more interested in Lee Marvin’s movies. I watched The Man who Shot
Liberty Valence during a film class in college and was blown away by his performance, but I don’t think I’d seen
another one of his movies. And I consider myself something of an old film buff, but I took a step forward
correcting this oversight last night by watching The Dirty Dozen — awesome!
 3. What does the writer say about the different
narrative elements?
Guide Questions:
 Actually, there was no evident attempt to analyze
the plot, characters, and others. What is obvious are
the writer’s personal reactions to “Lee” and his
failure to support his judgement about the material.
In other words, this sample critique fails to make an
in-depth evaluation of the text; hence, it is really
not informative.
 4. Is the evaluation exhaustive? Why yes? Why
not?
Guide Questions:
 Thus, the evaluation was not exhaustive. There
wasn’t any exhaustive analysis of the material
to really support the critic’s evaluation. He
seems very familiar with the material, and he
could do a better critique of it.
Extend
Critique’s
Critique
The Two Brothers Read the short story and do
by: Leo Tolstoy a simple critique of it by
answering the guide
questions in the table.
 Guide Questions Answers
1. Is the main character relatable to you? (Cite
some qualities that make you similar or
different.)
2. Is the setting effective or useful in making
you visualize the scenes? (Cite some lines
that appeal to your senses.)
3. Is the plot interesting? (Cite aspects of the
story that make it good or dull.)
4. Is the conflict clear and realistic? (Indicate if
it is something that people are likely to
experience in life.)

5. Is the theme relevant to human experiences?

(Besides an explanation, write the theme you
inferred from the story.)
Evaluate
Performance Task
 Read the short story and then do a
Kaffir Boy critical analysis of it.
by: Mark Follow the format presented in the
Matahbane discussion.
Your critique will be rated based
on the given rubric.