Second Essay Instructions A critique is a formal evaluation of a text, and one o

Second Essay Instructions
A critique is a formal evaluation of a text, and one of the most common forms of critique
in literature is the review. In a review, you – as the reviewer – get to evaluate the text.
For your 2nd essay, choose one of the novels I’ve assigned to review. Your 4-6-page
review should include quotations from the text wherein you will cite your sources
according to MLA guidelines. Here are some guidelines for writing your review:
Introduce What You Are Evaluating
 Include the title and author.
 Be clear about what you are evaluating
Set up Your Review with a Summary
 Your summary is to be used as a reference point for your discussion.
 Be sure that your summary is balanced with adequate analysis. This is not
a book report.
Put the Piece into Context
 What type of work is it?
 When was it written?
Analyze the Text
 Note how the work is structured.
 Look at the individual elements: plot, character, dialogue.
 Determine the purpose of the work.
Include Your Reasoned Opinion: This Is Your Evaluation
 Did the work achieve its purpose?
 What is your response to the selection and why?
 Agree or disagree with the presentation of information (whether or not it achieved
its purpose).
 Base your agreement or disagreement on evidence.
End with a Balanced Conclusion
 Recap the pros and cons of the piece.
 Give your overall reaction