The word critical is a derivative of the word critique which basically means to analyze and evaluate in detail a piece of literature or theory. The main aim of a critical essay is, therefore, to analyze and evaluate.
Critical essays can easily be confused with argumentative essays but the two could not be any more different. While both essays involve the writer putting forward their argument and convincing the reader of said argument. A critical essay goes a step further and offers the reader a much more detailed interpretation of the text being critiqued.
Among the many types of writing I have done over the years, accounting homework help and more specifically critical essays are my forte. In today’s post, I want to share with you my go-to guide when it comes to writing critical essays.
- Understand the title or question
The first step in writing a critical essay is to clearly understand what it is exactly you are being asked to write on. This means that you have to read and understand the question and where possible seek clarification. In cases where you have been given a title to work with, the same rule of thumb applies. Always read and understand what is required of you before attempting to start writing.
- What material are you working with?
Together with a working title, you will be assigned the book, text or film or really any material you are to write your essay on. Whatever material you are working with, it is crucial that you have a clear understanding of this material even before you begin to write your essay. Read through this material more than once so that you have a great grasp of the information it contains. You will need all the information you can get to write a great essay.
- Identification before interpretation
It is vital that before you begin interpreting the idea being presented in the material you are analyzing you, first of all, identify said idea. Having a clear knowledge of what idea the writer or filmmaker of the material you are working with early on will be advantageous to you.
- Further research
Let it never be said that doing further research on anything you are working on is a waste of time. On the contrary, taking time to research beyond the material you have been given to write your essay on will pay off immensely. Not only will this give you unique information to include in your essay. It will also provide you with a further understanding of the topic you are writing on especially if it is one you have never tackled before.
- Prepare an outline
Once you are satisfied with your perusal of the material you are working with, the next step is to prepare to start writing. For this process, the first thing you need to do is sit down and come up with a general outline of what you want to include in your essay. This will be in the form of short notes which you can later expound on.
- Impartiality
It is important to remain impartial when writing a critical essay. Avoid focusing too much on your own feelings towards the subject matter being examined. Instead, write on both the positive and negative aspects of the material you are analyzing. Ensure that your emotions on the subject matter don’t take center stage and instead remain unbiased in your evaluation. In short, let your essay be based on the facts and information contained in the material you are analyzing.
Finally, it goes without saying that proofreading and editing your work is a fundamental step when doing any form of writing. As a writer who has been working in this field for many years, I can assure you that proofreading your work is something you have to always do. If it gets to be too much for you, as always you can reach out to us and we will be glad to help you write your essay.