DIVISION OF GEN.

TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

Name: _______________________________________ Grade & Section: __________________

ACTIVITY SHEET #4: Critiquing a Text / Literary Selection

GEAR UP
MELC: Compose an independent critique of a chosen selection.

After the learners have finished answering this activity sheet, they will be able to:
1. identify the criteria in critiquing a text or literary selection;
2. determine the parts of a critique ; and
3. write an independent critique of a chosen selection.

EN GAGE

Page 1 of 8
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

CRITIQUING A TEXT
A critique is a genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes and critically evaluates a work or concept.
When we summarize a text, we capture its main points. When we evaluate a text, we consider how it has
been put together—we dissect it, more or less, to see how it works by asking questions.
To critique a piece of writing is to do the following:
• describe: give the reader a sense of the writer’s overall purpose and intent
• analyze: examine how the structure and language of the text convey its meaning
• interpret: state the significance or importance of each part of the text
• assess: make a judgment of the work’s worth or value
Writing a critique on a work helps us to develop a knowledge of the work’s subject area or related works, an
understanding of the work’s purpose, intended audience, development of argument, structure of evidence or
creative style, and recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.

FORMATTING A CRITIQUE
Here are two structures for critiques, one for nonfiction and one for fiction/literature.
Part Non-Fiction
Introductio • • name of author and work
n general overview of subject and summary
• of author's argument \
focusing (or thesis) sentence indicating
how you will divide the whole work for
discussion or the particular elements you
will discuss
Body a. objective description of a major point in
b. the work detailed analysis of how the work
conveys an idea or concept
c. interpretation of the concept
d. repetition of description, analysis,
interpretation if more than one major
concept is covered
Conclusion • • overall interpretation
relationship of particular interpretations to
• subject as a whole
critical assessment of the value, worth, or
meaning of the work, both negative and
positive
Fiction / Literature
• • name of author and work brief
• summary/description of work as a whole
focusing sentence indicating what
element you plan to examine general
• indication of overall significance of work
• literal description of the first major element
or portion of the work detailed analysis
• • interpretation literal description of second
major element
•
• interpretation (including, if necessary, the
relationship to the first major point) and so
on
• • overall interpretation of the elements
studied consideration of those elements
• within the context of the work as a whole
critical assessment of the value, worth,
meaning, or significance of the work, both
positive and negative

Here are some ideas to consider when critiquing a text:

• How did you respond to the piece? Did you like it? Did it appeal to you? Could you identify with it?
• Do you agree with the main ideas in the text?
• Did you find any errors in reasoning? Any gaps in the discussion?
• Did the organization make sense?
• Was evidence used correctly, without manipulation? Has the writer used appropriate sources for

support?
• Is the author objective? Biased? Reasonable?
• Are the text’s tone and language text appropriate?

TEST
Directions: Read a short description of Nick Vujicic’s life and do the activities that follow. If you have
access to internet you may watch it using the link https://deepenglish.com/lessons/no-arms-no-legs-
noworries.

Thirty-six-year-old Nick Vujicic has hit a home run in the game of life. He’s happily married with
four beautiful children. He’s a motivational speaker who travels the world, an international
bestselling author, and an award-winning actor. He even finds time to paint, swim, skydive, surf,
and play golf. Nick was also born with no arms and no legs.

Page 2 of 8
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

The son of Serbian immigrants to Australia, Nick was born with a rare disorder that only seven
people in the world have. He has two small, deformed feet, one of which he calls his ‘chicken
drumstick’ for the way it looks. The toes on that foot were surgically separated, allowing him to use
them as fingers to grab things.
Needless to say, life growing up in Melbourne was no walk in the park for Nick. Not only were
the physical challenges enormous, but he also struggled mentally and emotionally. As Nick
explains, “When I was eight years old, I sort of summed up my life and thought, I’m never going to
get married. I’m not going to have a job. I’m not going to have a life of purpose.” Bullied at school,
he once tried to commit suicide at the age of 10.
But at some point, Nick realized that feeling sorry for himself wasn’t the solution. “When you
concentrate on the things you wish you had or the things you wish you didn’t have, you forget
what you do have. When that clicked, it was like a light bulb just flashed in my brain. I was like,
hey, now I see life as an opportunity.” Once he realized how grateful he was for what he had,
nothing could stop Nick from achieving his dreams.
Nick no longer sees himself as a disabled person. Disability is something stopping you from
being able to do something. And in Nick’s life, it seems that there is hardly anything he hasn’t
been able to do. One of his greatest achievements is the non-profit organization he founded,
called Life Without Limbs. Through it, he campaigns against bullying by giving motivational talks
on stage. Over the years, he’s inspired millions of people in over 57 countries to find happiness by
realizing how fortunate they are.
It’s been a rocky road, but Nick now lives a life more joyful and more fulfilling than most non-
disabled people. As Nick says, “No arms, no legs, no worries, mate!”

Identify what is being asked on each item by writing the letter of your answer on the blank.
______ 1. Who is the character being described in the text?
a. Nick Carter b. Nick Vujicic c. Nick Armstrong d. Nick Vincent
______ 2. Where and when did the story happen?
a. Myanmar, when he was born
b. Melbourne , when he was born
c. Myanmar, while he was growing up ‘til he becomes an adult
d. Melbourne, while he was growing up ‘til he becomes an adult
______ 3. What is Nick’s life growing up based on the text above?
a. It was easy for him when he was child to accept his situation.
b. He was forced by his neighbors to another town because of his disability.
c. He was being sent to an orphanage because his family disliked his condition.
d. Not only were the physical challenges enormous, but he also struggled mentally and emotionally
______ 4. What would best describe Nick?
a. immature b. impatient c. optimistic d. pessimistic
______ 5. What is the purpose of the text?
a. to persuade the reader not to give up on life despite challenges or obstacle
b. to entertain the reader about how a disabled man can do his daily routines
c. to tell the reader that if you are disabled, you are already hopeless to live a normal life
d. to inform the reader that there is a man living in Melbourne having no arms and no legs

REINFORCE
Directions: Using the story of Nick Vujicic’s life, answer each question in one to two sentences.
1. How did the author begin the story?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. How did the author tell the main problem of the character? Cite lines from the text.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 3 of 8
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Is the arrangement of the text used by the author from beginning to end (plot) easy to follow and
understand? Explain why.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the purpose of the author in writing about Nick Vujicic’s life story?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. Did the author achieve his purpose? Why and why not?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

INTEGRATE
Directions
: Write three most important lessons that you learned from Nick Vujicic’s life on the fun
graphic organizer provided below.

ASSESS
ANSWER IN INTEGRATE

UNDERSTAND AND
ACCEPT THAT LIFE YOU DEFINE YOUR YOU ALWAYS HAVE
HAS CHALLENGES ABILITY A CHOICE

Directions: Read each question carefully. Write the letter of your answer on the blank.

______1. What is an analysis of a particular piece of writing?

a. critique b. editorial c. essay d. literature
______ 2. Which of the following is NOT done in critiquing a piece of writing?

Page 4 of 8
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

a. assess b. analyze c. interpret d. deprive

______ 3. Which of the following is NOT a critique format for non-fiction?
a. name of author and work c. objective description of a major point in a work
b. overall interpretation d. definition of all unfamiliar words in writer’s work
______ 4. Stephen is assigned to criticize a nonfiction text, which of the following he needs to be considered in
critiquing its body?
a. interpretation of the concept
b. objective description of a major point in the work
c. detailed analysis of how the work conveys an idea or concept
d. all of the above
______ 5. How must a critique be written based on observations of the text?
a. objectively b. subjectively c. emotionally d. dramatically

Page 5 of 8
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

SHARPEN
Directions: Read, understand, and analyze an excerpt of Martin Luther King’s speech “I Have a Dream”.
Using the critique format for non-fiction, compose an essay on the excerpt given. You may use the
questions in the table as your guide. Write you answer on the blank.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one
day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will
be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state
of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be
transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one
day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of
their character. I have a dream today.
• What is the text all
Introductio
n about? • What is its main
purpose?
a. How did you respond to the piece? Did you like it? Did it appeal to you?
b. Do you agree with the main ideas in the text?
c. Did the organization make sense?
Body d. Is the author objective? Biased? Reasonable?
e. Are the text’s tone and language text appropriate?
f. Are all of the author’s statements clear? Is anything confusing?
g. What worked well in the text? What was lacking or failed completely?
• What is your overall evaluation of the work?
Conclusion • Why this evaluation formed? Include a summary of the key reasons, identified during the
critical evaluation.

I have a dream speech was given by Martin Luther King on 28th August 1963. There was an
audience of about 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington where the speech was given.
This speech was mainly based on the freedom for the black’s referred to as Negros.He was much
concerned about the oppression and exploitation of the black Americans at that time and he wished that
people would understand that they were all equal. Unfortunately, Martin Luther king was assassinated
on 4th of April 1968 when he was thirty nine years old. However, Martin Luther king left a legacy and is
remembered on Martin Luther King Day every year.

Martin Luther King Jr. begins his speech by referencing the signing of the Emancipation
Proclamation and the beacon of hope it provided for African Americans. The image shows the
Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in 1863.

Next, he continues on to describe the injustice and segregation that African Americans are facing. The
image shows an African American in the back of a police car.

King states that this is just the beginning and there will be no backing down until African Americans are
considered equal. The man in the image is wearing a picket sign that is encouraging the end of
segregation.

Next, King demands that people maintain their dignity and discipline; he does not want people to resort
to violence. The image shows a young man peacefully sitting in a restaurant that refused to serve
African Americans.
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

He continues to encourage people to have faith and to press on until his dream is realized and citizens
of different races can live together peacefully. The image is of an African American who continues to
pray and have faith in the movement.

King ends the speech preaching about all of God’s children across the United States being able to live
in a free and equal world. The image used is a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his “I
Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington.

Martin Luther King’s Speech remains important in the modern society. It consists of well founded goals
which if well addressed will take many countries up the ladder. However, critics will always be there to
search for the wrongs.

Page 4 of 5

Rubric
Standards Points Score
1. The introduction gives an overview or a summary of the text focusing on its purpose. 4
2. The body contains a detailed analysis of the text – structure, language, significance of
4
the text were evaluated.
3. The critique was done correctly. Interpretations of the message of the text and
4
assessment of the value of the work was clearly stated and makes sense.
4. The conclusion contains a summary of the key reasons, identified during the critical
4
evaluation and why this evaluation was formed
5. There is a logical progression of ideas. Sentence structure is correct. There is almost
no error in mechanics. 4

References:
Burnell, Carol. et.al. (n.d.). Critiquing a Text. Retrieved from https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/wrd/chapter/critiquing-a-text/
DEPED ENGLISH (2011). Retrieved from https://deepenglish.com/lessons/no-arms-no-legs-no-worries/
Text Excerpt and Video Rap based on Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” Speech.(2017).Retrieved from https://www.infoplease.com/homework-help/writing-
grammar/text-excerpt-and-videorap-based-martin-luther-kings-i-have
The Writing Process (2021).Retrieved from http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/handouts/the -writing-process-
1/invention/Writing-a-Critique Writing A Critique. (03 November 2020). Retrieved from
https://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/critique.html

TEACHER’S FEEDBACK

SELF-MONITORING
Name of Learner: Week:
Grade & Section: Subject:

For Learners (Please complete the statements.)

The part of the activity sheet that I found very
difficult to answer …
 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

The part of the activity sheet that I found very

easy to answer …
I still need help on …
For Parents / Guardians (Please check one in each column.)
My son / daughter was able to do all the exercises in the
My son / daughter …
activity sheets
on his / her own without any help was able to answer all exercises
was not able to finish answering some of the
with a little help from parent / guardian
exercises
was not able to answer all the exercises the activity
with a lot of help from parent / guardian
sheet

Page 5 of 5