1. Critical Response: How to begin
Read and reread the article carefully
Once you understand it, then write a reader’s summary-
Jot down ideas as you read. (Annotations)
Write down and look up any words that you do not understand.

2. Critical Response Note how you feel as you read-
Why is the information significant?
What is the tone of the author?
Do you believe what the text is saying?
Who is the intended audience?
Is this information informative or persuasive?
Are the ideas valid, too vague, too broad?

3. Find an article that has an interesting perspective.
Critical Response
Find an article that has an interesting perspective.

4. Critical Response
Make a statement of belief (a thesis) about that topic. Sometimes that statement will be an argument for or against a position; at other times it will be a statement of confusion, when the writer isn't sure what to believe.

5. Critical Response
Explain your reasons for believing your thesis, so that your reader can understand why you are making this assertion. If your thesis is a statement of confusion, explain why you're confused!

6. Critical Response
Show what it was in the assigned text that made you think about this topic. If possible, compare and contrast the assertions of the assigned text with your own.

7. Critical Response
While drafting your response, consider all the other sources you have read. Compare them to this source you are critiquing. Also consider the time that has passed since the author has published this source. Has the audience changed? Has society changed?

8. Critical Response Outline
First Paragraph
I. Summary of the article
II. Statement of belief. Your thesis should go here.
Second Paragraph
III. Create analysis of the article by following the main points that the author created.
You may use first person for this assignment.
It should be 1 ½ pages long.

9. What is Analysis?
You should have an organized dialogue with the author of the article.
Discuss, in your critical response, the elements you agree on and the elements you disagree on or you feel were left out.
Consider tone, point of view, current events, etc.
Concluding sentences that describe your overall view of the article and the author’s stand.