Critical writing
The aim should be to present a case through:
- providing reasons
- relevant evidence
- comparing and evaluating arguments
- evaluating evidence
- assessing conflicting evidence
Background information and description should be minimal
Tips for critical writing
Be aware of your audience – how will others interpret your message? How will you persuade them?
Be clear – make sure writing is not ambiguous
Analysis – look at evidence in detailed and critical way, evaluate strengths and weaknesses
Don’t present too many points – better to have more detail about fewer points, so your argument doesn’t get lost
Logical order – often best to put points that support your own argument first
Emphasise important or controversial aspects
Group similar points – present points that support one aspect together, complete analysis of one point before moving to another
Signposting – use words and phrases which direct the reader, e.g. however, additionally, subsequently, consequently, initially, moreover…
| Descriptive writing | Critical writing |
|---|---|
| States what happened | Identifies the significance |
| States what something is like | Evaluates strengths and weaknesses |
| Gives the story so far | Weights one piece of information against another |
| Outlines the order in which things happened | Makes reasoned judgements |
| Instructs how to do something | Argues a case according to evidence |
| Lists the main elements of a theory | Shows why something is relevant or suitable |
| Outlines how something works | Indicates why something well work (best) |
| Notes the methods used | Identifies whether a method is appropriate or suitable |
| States when something occurred | Identifies why the timing is of importance |
| States options | Gives reasons for selecting options |
| Lists details | Evaluates significance of details |
| Lists in and order | Structures in order of importance |
| States links between items | Shows the relevance of links |
| Gives information or reports findings | Evaluates information and draws conclusions |
Critical analysis
Have you ever had any of these comments in your feedback?
- More analysis needed
- Less description, more evaluation
- Too descriptive
- Descriptive rather than analytical
- You have used theories but have not evaluated them
Using higher level skills should lead to higher marks.