Writing a Critical Review

What criteria can be used for evaluating an article?
The following criteria are useful:
• the timeliness of the article
• the degree to which the article makes an original contribution
• the logic of the view put forward
• the validity of the evidence put forward
• the theoretical framework used
Is the framework valid?
Has the framework been applied appropriately?
• the methodology used
Is the methodology appropriate?
Is the methodological approach explained clearly?
Does the methodological approach have any weaknesses?
Is the study sufficiently comprehensive and thorough?
Is anything important omitted in the research?
• the findings
Are the findings presented and described clearly and fully?
Do the findings seem sound?
Could the data be interpreted in another way?
Do/does the author(s) account for everything in the data or do they ignore something that might be important?
• the validity of the conclusions
• the thoroughness with which the article treats the topic
• its value compared to that of other articles on the topic
• the appropriateness of the article for the intended audience
• the extent to which it might satisfy the specific needs of a specific user. Evaluation
Evaluation is the most important part in writing a critical review. Evaluation involves stating whether you agree or disagree with what the author says or has done. You will want to use the literature to support your views.
Evaluation can be described as implicit and explicit. Explicit evaluation would take the form of a list of questions. For example:
I will review this article by focusing on the following questions.
•
•

To what extent do the authors contribute to current thought on Second
Language Acquisition (SLA) pedagogy?
Are the authors’ propositions feasible within overseas SLA classrooms? Implicit evaluation is less direct. The following section on Linguistic Features of Writing a Critical Review contains language that evaluates the text.
You need to remember to locate and analyse the author’s argument when you are writing your critical review. For example, you need to locate the authors’ view of classroom pedagogy as presented in the book / article and not present a critique of views of classroom pedagogy in general.
Linguistic features of writing a critical review
Summary language
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•

This article / book is divided into two / three parts. First...
While the title might suggest...
Title is the first / second volume in the series Title, edited by...The books / articles in this series address...
The second / third claim is based on...
The author challenges the notion that...
The author tries to find a more middle ground / make more modest claims... The article / book begins with a short historical overview of...
Numerous authors have recently suggested that...(see Author, Year;
Author, Year). Author would also be once such author. With his / her argument that...
The author’s book / article examines the...To do this, the author first...
The author develops / suggests a theoretical / pedagogical model to…
This book / article positions itself firmly within the field of...
The author in a series of subtle arguments, indicates that he / she...
The author asks "..."
Topic, as the author points out, can be viewed as...

•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•

•

In this recent contribution to the field of...this British author...
As a leading author in the field of...
This book / article nicely contributes to the field of...and complements other work by this author...
The second / third part of...provides / questions / asks the reader...
Title is intended to encourage students / researchers to...
The approach taken by the author provides the opportunity to examine...in a qualitative / quantitative research framework that nicely complements... The author notes / claims that state support / a focus on pedagogy / the