You have been asked to write a critical review of a novel, a painting, a movie, a play, a piece of music... and you don't know where to start? It's not the same as asking "how to write my papers or an academic essay" because a review has a different structure and emphases to pay attention to. But don't panic! Read this post carefully, and you'll learn how to organise and write it step by step. You can also read various sample critiques by other writers to prepare for them better.

What to take into account when writing a critical review?

The first thing to remember is that it is an expository-argumentative text. Therefore, your critical review must fulfil two objectives:

Summarise the work, i.e., provide an overall view by synthesising its most important aspects.

Evaluate the work, that is, give a personal value judgement about it. Your opinion must be well-argued and justified.

Questions to Guide Your Critical Review

To ensure your review is both insightful and thorough, approach the work with a critical eye and make note of the following:

• Who is the intended audience? Consider for whom the work was created and how effectively it reaches that group.
• What is the author’s purpose? Are they surveying and summarising research, presenting a new argument, or perhaps challenging someone else’s viewpoint?
• Are key terms clearly defined? Make sure important concepts or terminology are explained within the work.
• Fact or opinion? Identify which statements are supported by evidence and which are based on interpretation.
• Organisation and structure: Is the work logically arranged and easy to follow, or is it confusing and disjointed?
• Quality of research: Look for well-supported arguments, credible sources, and thorough analysis.
• Central arguments and conclusions: What are the main points, and how convincingly are they argued? Is there sufficient evidence?
• Methodology (if applicable): When reviewing studies or experiments, check if the methodology is outlined clearly and whether results match expectations.
• Missing information: Are there gaps in argumentation or issues you expected to be addressed but weren’t?

By keeping these questions in mind as you read and re-read the work, perhaps jotting down your initial impressions and any surprises, you will be better prepared to craft a review that is clear, balanced, and genuinely informative.

And how long should this text be, you may be wondering. The truth is that there is no standard length. That is, it depends on how long and complex the object of your analysis is (reviewing a short film is not the same as reviewing a three-hour movie). A reasonable measure would be between 500 words minimum and 800 words maximum. But remember - a text must say something, give information, so if your text is short, but you don't think it is necessary to add anything more, don't continue writing! Go to the point and remember: empty text only serves to confuse and divert attention from the main topic.

Common Assumptions, Biases, and Limitations in Research Articles

When reviewing a research article, it's essential to keep your critical eye open for certain pitfalls that can affect the validity and reliability of the findings. Here are some typical issues to watch out for:

• Underlying assumptions: Authors often base their arguments on certain beliefs or pre-existing frameworks. Consider whether these assumptions are reasonable given the context, or if they skew the interpretation of the data.
• Sample size and representativeness: Pay close attention to how large and how diverse the sample is. A small or narrowly-selected group can limit how far the conclusions can be applied to other settings.
• Generalisability: Ask yourself: do the findings apply more broadly, or are they tied so closely to specific circumstances that it’s hard to draw wider lessons? Research conducted in unique contexts may not translate well to others.
• Potential bias: Always be on the lookout for possible bias, whether it stems from the author's perspective, the selection of evidence, or even external influences such as funding sources. It's a good habit to question who financed the research, sometimes this sheds light on possible partiality or conflicts of interest.

By systematically considering these factors as you read, you’ll develop a more nuanced and well-supported critique of the article’s strengths and weaknesses.

Why evaluate validity, soundness, and bias before using published information?

Before you rely on any published source, be it a research article, a consultant’s report, or the latest best-selling business book, it’s essential to ask yourself: “How trustworthy is this information?” Not all published material is created equal. Assessing validity, soundness, and potential bias isn’t just academic red tape; it’s the key to making informed decisions in both your studies and professional work.

Imagine using a flashy new management theory from a pop business book, only to find out it’s based on cherry-picked anecdotes rather than solid evidence. Or consider citing an influential article whose data was quietly disputed in later follow-ups. Without pausing to critically check sources, you risk building your arguments, and business decisions, on shaky ground.

Here’s why evaluating sources matters:

• Prevents misinformation: Not everything in print (or online) is accurate or balanced. By questioning the evidence and reasoning behind claims, you avoid passing on errors or misrepresentations.
• Ensures fair judgement: Recognising bias helps you see where a writer’s perspective might colour their analysis or conclusions, whether consciously or not.
• Strengthens your work: Well-founded claims, backed by reliable and objective research, make your critique or proposal far more convincing.
• Supports ethical responsibility: Especially in professional settings, where decisions might affect teams, budgets, or clients, you owe it to yourself (and others) to rely on sources that stand up to scrutiny.

In short, taking the time to verify your sources isn’t just good academic practice, it’s a basic safeguard against costly mistakes and a foundation for credible, impactful work.

How to Tell if a Journal Article Is Right for Your Critical Review

When deciding whether a journal article is appropriate for a critical review assignment, look for a few key features:

• Clear research question: The author should clearly state what question they set out to explore or answer.
• Transparent methodology: A suitable article will outline how the study was conducted, detailing the methods, processes, or approaches used to gather evidence.
• Evidence-based conclusions: Check that findings and interpretations are grounded in factual evidence and well-documented results, not just speculation or opinion.

If an article meets these criteria, well-defined objective, transparent methodology, and logical, evidence-supported conclusions, then it’s likely to provide a solid foundation for your critical review. Avoid articles that skip one of these steps, as your analysis will lack substance and critical depth.

How to Select the Right Item for Your Critical Review

Before diving into your critical review, it’s essential to choose the right work to analyse. Whether you've been assigned a specific piece or you're given some freedom, your selection can make a big difference in both the quality of your review and your own engagement with the process.

Here are some handy tips for picking an appropriate item, such as a journal article, for your critical review:

• Stick to reputable sources: For academic purposes, focus on well-established journals or platforms known for their credibility and rigorous editorial standards. Academic journals (often called scholarly journals) publish articles that are peer-reviewed, meaning experts in the field have evaluated the work before publication. Examples include The International Journal of Human Resource Management or Harvard Business Review.
• Check for clear research structure: The best articles to review usually have a transparent structure, look for a defined research question, description of methodology, and clear discussion of findings and conclusions. This makes it much easier to summarise and evaluate the work logically.
• Beware of purely news-based or trade articles: Trade publications and professional magazines (like People Management) might be interesting, but they're often less suitable for a critical review. Such articles typically focus on industry news and commentary rather than original research or in-depth analysis.
• Confirm accessibility and detail: Make sure the article is accessible through your library, institutional access, or reputable online journal databases (like JSTOR or EBSCOhost). Skim it beforehand to check that it contains enough substance, flimsy opinion pieces or overly brief reports can make for thin critical reviews.
• Match the topic to your brief: If you have the choice, select an article that not only fits the assignment guidelines but also sparks your interest or relates to your field of study. Engaged readers write better reviews!

In short: Opt for scholarly articles with a defined research focus, published in respected academic journals, and ensure the content is both relevant and sufficiently rich for a thorough analysis. Taking time to choose wisely sets you up for a more insightful, and enjoyable, critical review.

The structure of a critical review

As we have seen, your review should summarise the work you are analysing and give your opinion about it. To fulfil both objectives, you will have to follow this five-part structure:

• ‍Title of the review: it should be a title that synthesises your general opinion. For example, if you are reviewing the novel Love in the Time of Cholera, you liked it and what moved you most is how the author narrates a love that resists decades and decades - your title could be something like this: 'Love in the Time of Cholera: the moving tale of a patient love that can do anything. A trick to write the perfect title is to wait until the end of the review since the essence of the title is usually in the conclusions.‍
• Introduction: this section should be very brief, and in it you will have to introduce the author and the work. In the case of Love in the Time of Cholera, we would briefly talk about Gabriel García Márquez's career and tell that the book is about the love between Florentino, Fermina and Juvenal throughout the years.‍
• Summary: This third part is broader than the presentation, and it is here where you should go deeper into the theme of the work. It is about choosing those key moments or features that shape the play. Returning to the example of Love in the Time of Cholera, some moments that should be in the expository summary would be the love affair between Florentino and Fermina, her marriage to Juvenal, the death of the doctor, and the reunion with Florentino, since they mark turning points in the story.‍
• Critical commentary: this point should be the most extensive of all the critical reviews since you must give your opinion about the work, but be careful! it is not enough to say 'I liked it' or 'I didn't like it', but your evaluation must have a basis and be supported by arguments. To do this, you will have to choose the points of the work that most caught your attention and comment on them, saying if you agree with the way it has been presented. And if the work has seemed novel or not, if you think it has maintained coherence from beginning to end, if the characters seem relevant to you, if you think another approach would have been more effective… and why.‍
• Conclusions: this part should be very brief, and in it you have to summarise your critical commentary and say what you thought of the work in general and how it made you feel.

How to prepare a critical review

To make sure that the writing of your review is perfect, you will have to start preparing it before you start writing while you are enjoying the book.

Approach the works without prejudice! If, for example, you go to a concert thinking you won't like it, you will probably be unfairly negative in your review.

Take notes as you read, watch, listen and observe the work to recover them in your review.

In the case of long works, make summaries of their parts: it will be easier and faster to synthesise the whole.

Make sure you have a good understanding of the work to be able to judge it correctly. To do this, consult information and bibliography about it.

Now that you know how to write it, your next critical review will be a success!