Writing A Critical Response

Writing a
Critical
Response
What is a critical response?
• A critical response is an essay where you can show your
understanding and appreciation of a text.
• Your response is an analysis of and a commentary on another
piece of writing.
• It generally focuses on technique as well as on content.
• A critical response essay (or interpretive essay or review) has
two missions:
1. to summarize a source’s main idea and;
2. respond to the source’s main ideas with reactions based on
your synthesis.
• It is an opportunity for you to show:
- Your understanding of a text
- Your ability to analyze, in which you examine the way the
writer write and the techniques he or she uses
- Your ability to evaluate, which is judging/ personally
VOCABULARY
• Words you NEED

TO KNOW
• I will use these a lot
in class
Title
• Title should tell the reader what the response is about

• EXAMPLE: Which title is better?
“Macbeth Essay”
“Ambition and the downfall of Macbeth”
• Your title should be focused on the topic

• It should tell the reader the purpose of your essay
Purpose
• What is your essay about? What are you trying to prove?

• You MUST clearly answer the task.
• EXAMPLE TASK:
What techniques did the director use in their film “Somewhere
Between” and how effective were they?
What are the key words?

Introduction
THE LEAD
The lead hooks the
reader, and encourages
them to keep reading.
• INTRODUCE THE ISSUE
Briefly explain the issues and the controversy surrounding
the argument. Give background information. The title of
the work (if it applies), the author (if it applies), your
purpose.
EX. Much to the student’s dismay, having freedom from

wearing a school uniform is in jeopardy in Sino Canada
as the staff push forward with their “More focus, less
fashion” movement.
• STATE YOUR CLAIM
This is your thesis statement. It is guideline for the reader
that the essay will address the argument and prove the
claim. This can also give the supporting ideas as well.
Try using a phrase like: *Reasons *Benefits
*Advantages/Disadvantages
Ex. There are definite downsides to implementing a school
uniform policy in Sino Canada.
Essay Body
• Made up of 3-6 P.E.E. paragraphs.

- P: Point
- E: Evidence (Quote, Summary, Paraphrase)
- E: Explain
Points
• Usually the first sentence in EACH new paragraph.

• Ties in with the topic of the response.
• Let’s the reader know the purpose of the paragraph you are
writing.
I.e.
1. Uniforms are an extra cost
2. they remove individuality
Evidence
• You need to provide evidence for each point.

• This can be a quotation or paraphrase.
I.e.
Uniforms can cost up to “2,000 rmb per year per student”
(Collins 5) according to the ShuShu Weekly Report.
Explain/ Evaluate
• You show here how the evidence supports your point.

• You can also analyze how the writer achieves their purpose
here by looking at their techniques.
• Techniques could be simile, characterization, contrast,
etc…any feature of writing that the writer uses to have an
effect on the reader.
Explain/ Evaluate
• Here are a few useful phrases when taking about

technique:
• Has connotations of; shows; suggests; creates;
mirrors; establishes; underlines; reinforces;
emphasises; highlights; foreshadows; explains;
demonstrates; echoes; reveals; hints; reinforces.
Explain/ Evaluate
• Here are a few useful phrases when talking about

how the reader feels. Some imply judgement, all
involve evaluation.
• Thought-provoking; inspiring; horrifying; hard-hitting;
stimulating; pivotal; key idea(s); fast-paced; effective;
gripping; skillful(ly); perceptive; moving; profound;
striking; important; intelligent; thoughtful.
Explain
• You have to then link your explanation back to the

task. (P.E.E.L)
• This makes sure you stay on task.
Conclusion
• You should sum up the main points of your essay and

show you have answered the task
• Give a person response.
Ex. While school uniforms work for many institutions
they simply are not a good fit for Sino. Their cost, the
loss of student individuality, and the removal of real
world experience is detrimental to students.
Transitions
MLA
• How to cite within the work
MLA
• How to cite for Works Cited
Summarizing
• The first step to writing is to read actively and thoughtfully,

seeking answers to the following questions as you go:
- What are the main points, ideas, or arguments of the work (book,
article, play essay, etc.)?
- How is the work organized?
- What evidence/support does the author give?
- What is the primary purpose of the work?
Analyzing (Interpretation and evaluation)
• To help you generate content for your analysis, consider the following questions:
• Does the work achieve its purpose? Fully or only partially?
• Was the purpose worthwhile to begin with? Or was it too limited, trivial, broad,
theoretical, etc.?
• Is any of the evidence weak or insufficient? In what way? Conversely, is the
evidence/support particularly effective or strong?
• Can I supply further explanation to clarify or support any of the main points, ideas, and
arguments?
• Are there sections you don’t understand? Why?
• Was there any area where the author offered too much or too little information?
• Is the organization of the work an important factor? Does its organization help me
understand it, hinder my understanding, or neither?
Creating a T-Chart
Q: What is more important for identity – nature or nurture?
In your group you will write out your points for each argument.
Use information from the documentary ‘Somewhere Between’ for

support.
NATURE NURTURE
• How you were born. • How you were raised.

Analysis

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Writing a

• Words you NEED

• Title should tell the reader what the response is about

• Your title should be focused on the topic

• What is your essay about? What are you trying to prove?

What are the key words?

EX. Much to the student’s dismay, having freedom from

• Made up of 3-6 P.E.E. paragraphs.

• Usually the first sentence in EACH new paragraph.

• You need to provide evidence for each point.

• You show here how the evidence supports your point.

• Here are a few useful phrases when taking about

• Here are a few useful phrases when talking about

• You have to then link your explanation back to the

• You should sum up the main points of your essay and

• The first step to writing is to read actively and thoughtfully,

Use information from the documentary ‘Somewhere Between’ for

• How you were born. • How you were raised.

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