SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |1

ST. PETER’S COLLEGE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL, INC.

15th de Septiembre St., Brgy. 2, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Critiques can be used to carefully analyze a variety of works such as:
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
 Creative works – novels, exhibits, film, images, poetry
SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022  Research – monographs, journal articles, systematic reviews,
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES  theories
 Media –  news reports, feature articles
Module No. 4 (Week 7 and 8)
REACTION PAPER AND Concept Paper Like an essay, a critique uses a formal, academic writing style and
has a clear structure, that is, an introduction, body and conclusion.   
However, the body of a critique includes a summary of the work and a
detailed evaluation.  The purpose of an evaluation is to gauge the
usefulness or impact of a work in a particular field. 

Why do we write critiques?

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.
 A recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.

How to write a critique

LESSON 1.
Before you start writing, it is important to have a thorough
CRITICAL APPROACHES IN WRITING A CRITIQUE understanding of the work that will be critiqued.
WHAT IS IT
 Study the work under discussion.
 Make notes on key parts of the work.
What is critique?
 Develop an understanding of the main argument or purpose being
expressed in the work. 
A critique is a careful analysis of an argument to determine what
 Consider how the work relates to a broader issue or context.
is said, how well the points are made, what assumptions underlie the
argument, what issues are overlooked, and what implications are drawn Read about the critical approaches. You can highlight some
from such observations. It is a systematic, yet personal response and important ideas. You can use these in expressing your views.
evaluation of what you read.
It is a genre of academic writing that briefly summarizes and The following are the different approaches in writing a critique:
critically evaluates a work or concept.
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |2
1. Formalist: This approach regards literature as “a unique form of
human knowledge that needs to be examined on its own terms.” All the
elements necessary for understanding the work are contained within the
work itself. Of particular interest to the formalist critic are the elements
of form—style, structure, tone, imagery, etc.—that are found within the
text. A primary goal for formalist critics is to determine how such
elements work together with the text’s content to shape its effects upon
readers.
Questions to be Asked for Formalistic Approach
A. How is the work’s structure unified?
B. How do various elements of the work reinforce its meaning?
C. What recurring patterns (repeated or related words, images, etc.) can
you find?
D. What is the effect of these patterns or motifs?
E. How does repetition reinforce the theme(s)?
F. How does the writer’s diction reveal or reflect the work’s meaning?
G. What is the effect of the plot, and what parts specifically produce
that effect?
H. What figures of speech are used? (metaphors, similes, etc.)
I. Note the writer’s use of paradox, irony, symbol, plot,
characterization, and style of narration.
J. What effects are produced? Do any of these relate to one another or
to the theme?
K. Is there a relationship between the beginning and the end of the
story?
L. What tone and mood are created at various parts of the work?
M. How does the author create tone and mood? What relationship is
there between tone and mood and the effect of the story?
N. How do the various elements interact to create a unified whole?
2. Gender Criticism: This approach “examines how sexual identity
influences the creation and reception of literary works.” Originally an
offshoot of feminist movements, gender criticism today includes a number
of approaches, including the so-called “masculinist” approach recently
advocated by poet Robert Bly. The bulk of gender criticism, however, is
feminist and takes as a central precept that the patriarchal attitudes that
have dominated western thought have resulted, consciously or
unconsciously, in literature “full of unexamined ‘male-produced’
assumptions.”
3. Feminist criticism attempts to correct this imbalance by analyzing
and combatting such attitudes—by questioning, for example, why none of
the characters in Shakespeare’s play Othello ever challenge the right of a
husband to murder a wife accused of adultery. Other goals of feminist
critics include “analyzing how sexual identity influences the reader of a
text” and “examining how the images of men and women in imaginative
literature reflect or reject the social forces that have historically kept the
sexes from achieving total equality.”
Feminist Criticism examines images of women and concepts of
the feminine in myth and literature; uses the psychological, archetypal,
and sociological approaches; often focuses on female characters who have
been neglected in previous criticism. Feminist critics attempt to correct or
supplement what they regard as a predominantly male-dominated critical
perspective.
Questions to be asked for Feministic Approach
A. How are women’s lives portrayed in the work?
B. Is the form and content of the work influenced by the writer’s
gender?
C. How do male and female characters relate to one another? Are these
relationships sources of conflict? Are these conflicts resolved?
D. Does the work challenge or affirm traditional views of women?
E. How do the images of women in the story reflect patriarchal social
forces that have impeded women’s efforts to achieve full equality
with men?
F. What marital expectations are imposed on the characters? What
effect do these expectations have?
G. What behavioral expectations are imposed on the characters? What
effect do these expectations have?
H. If a female character were male, how would the story be different
(and vice versa)?
I. How does the marital status of a character affect her decisions or
happiness?
4. Historical: This approach “seeks to understand a literary work by
investigating the social, cultural, and intellectual context that produced it
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |3
—a context that necessarily includes the artist’s biography and milieu.” A
key goal for historical critics is to understand the effect of a literary work
upon its original readers.
Questions to be Asked for Formalistic Approach
A. How does it reflect the time in which it was written?
B. How accurately does the story depict the time in which it is set?
C. What literary or historical influences helped to shape the form and
content of the work?
D. How does the story reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the time in
which it was written or set? (Consider beliefs and attitudes related
to race, religion, politics, gender, society, philosophy, etc.)
E. What other literary works may have influenced the writer?
F. What historical events or movements might have influenced this
writer?
G. How would characters and events in this story have been viewed by
the writer’s contemporaries?
H. Does the story reveal or contradict the prevailing values of the time
in which it was written? Does it provide an opposing view of the
period’s prevailing values?
I. How important is it the historical context (the work’s and the
reader’s) to interpreting the work?
5. Reader-Response Criticism: This approach takes as a fundamental
tenet that “literature” exists not as an artifact upon a printed page but as
a transaction between the physical text and the mind of a reader. It
attempts “to describe what happens in the reader’s mind while
interpreting a text” and reflects that reading, like writing, is a creative
process.
6. Structuralism focused on how human behavior is determined by
social, cultural and psychological structures. It tended to offer a single
unified approach to human life that would embrace all disciplines. The
essence of structuralism is the belief that “things cannot be understood in
isolation, they have to be seen in the context of larger structures which
contain them. For example, the structuralist analysis of Donne’s poem,
Good Morrow, demands more focus on the relevant genre, the concept of
courtly love, rather than on the close reading of the formal elements of the
text.
7. Sociological focuses on man’s relationship to others in society,
politics, religion, and business.
Questions to be asked for Sociological Approach
A. What is the relationship between the characters and their society?
B. Does the story address societal issues, such as race, gender, and
class?
C. How do social forces shape the power relationships between groups
or classes of people in the story? Who has the power, and who
doesn’t? Why?
D. How does the story reflect the Great American Dream?
E. How does the story reflect urban, rural, or suburban values?
F. What does the work say about economic or social power? Who has it
and who doesn’t? Any Marxist leanings evident?
G. Does the story address issues of economic exploitation? What role
does money play?
H. How do economic conditions determine the direction of the
characters’ lives?
I. Does the work challenge or affirm the social order it depicts?
J. Can the protagonist’s struggle be seen as symbolic of a larger class
struggle?
K. How does the microcosm (small world) of the story reflect the
macrocosm (large world) of the society in which it was composed?
L. Do any of the characters correspond to types of government, such
as a dictatorship, democracy, communism, socialism, fascism, etc.?
What attitudes toward these political structures/systems are
expressed in the work?
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |4
LESSON 2:
OBJECTIVE/BALANCED REVIEW OR CRITIQUE
OF A WORK OF ART, AN EVENT OR A PROGRAM
WHAT IS IT
A. What is balanced/objective review or criticism?
It is a system of interpreting, judging, and assessing a person,
thing, or any work of art not influenced by feelings or opinions in
considering and presenting facts.
It is a systematic way of considering the truthfulness of a piece of
work.
B. To have balanced/objective review of any piece of work, the
following are considered:
1. Description. Pure description of the object, piece of work, art,
event, etc. It answers the questions:
a. artwork - "What do you see?" (description constitutes form
of art, medium, size and scale, elements or general
shapes, color, texture of surface, and context of
object).
b. piece of writing - "What do you see?" (form, structure,
choice of words, length, genre, etc)
2. Analysis. Determining what the features suggest and deciding
why the artist or writers used such features to convey specific
ideas. It answers the questions:
a. artwork - "How did the artist do it?"
b. piece of writing-"How did the writer write it?"
The analysis constitutes the following: determination of subject
matter, analysis of the principles of design or composition, use of symbol
and other elements, portrayal of movement and how it is achieved, effect
of particular medium, relationships of each part of the composition to the
whole and to each other part, and reaction to object.
3. Interpretation. Establishing the broader context for this type of
art. It answers the questions:
a. artwork - "Why did the artist create it and what does it mean?
b. piece of writing - "Why did the write create it and what does it
mean?
Remember: you shouldn’t make your interpretation too arbitrary!
Provide evidence and point out what exactly influenced your
understanding of the artwork.
Here are the elements that you can include in your interpretation:
 How does this art object make you feel?
 What do you think of when you’re looking at the artwork?
 What did the artist want to tell you as a viewer?
 What do you think about the title of the work? Does it
influence your interpretation?
 If you can’t understand a painting or a sculpture, don’t
hurry to give a negative response to it. Think of other
critics who have provided a positive evaluation of the
examined artwork. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have
your opinion! All you need is to find a good way to express
it.
E.g., in this painting, the artist wanted to show us the king’s
personality and achievements.
The interpretation constitutes: (a) Main idea (overall meaning of the
work), (b) Interpretive Statement (Can I express what I think the artwork
is about in one sentence), and (c) Evidence (What evidence inside or
outside the artwork supports my interpretation?).
4. Judgment. Judging a piece of work means giving it rank in
relation to other works and of course considering a very important aspect
of the visual arts; its originality. It answers the questions “Is it a good
artwork?” Is it a good composition?
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |5
Here are some points that can help you write your judgment:
 How do you think: is the work successful or not?
 Does this art object seem original or not?
 What do you feel when looking at this piece of artwork?
 Go back to your first impression. Has anything changed? What
did you learn?
 If nothing changed, explain your first reaction to the work.
 What have you learned from this work that you might apply to
your own artwork or your thinking?
In judging the piece of work, there must be:
(a) Criteria (What criteria do I think are most appropriate for judging
the artwork or writing?),
(b) Evidence (What evidence inside or outside the artwork or piece of
writing relate to each criterion?)’ and
2. Sculpture Critique. Similarly, many specific factors influence the
(c) Judgment (Based on the criteria and evidence, what is my
judgment about the quality of the artwork or piece of writing?).
E.g., the artwork successfully conveys the atmosphere of a
battle through its composition and color scheme. Learning about its
backstory helped me to appreciate the painting even more.
C. How to Critique Different Art Forms
As you can imagine, all kinds of masterpieces are subject to art
criticism. For example, you can choose to write about paintings,
drawings, sculptures, or even buildings. And, naturally, all these forms of
art have their specific features!
These tips will provide you with an art critique template for
anything, be it an oil painting or a cathedral.
1. Painting Critique. Paint is a medium that emphasizes light, colors,
and space.
for example:
 What school of painting does it belong to? Is it typical or unusual
for this particular school?
E.g., Monet’s Water Lilies is a typical Impressionist painting.
 Describe the way the artist applies paint. Are there broad paint
strokes, small points of color, or just a smooth surface? What
effect does it help to achieve?
E.g., Van Gogh’s broad brush strokes help to create a sense
of motion.
 Describe how the light is depicted. Where does the light come
from? Is there a strong value contrast? In what way does the
shadow function? What, in your opinion, does it evoke?
E.g., strong contrast makes the central figures stand out.
 Speak about the handling of space in the picture. Does it look flat
or three-dimensional? What kind of perspective is used? (e.g., one-
point perspective, or bird’s eye view?)
E.g., in this painting, Picasso uses multi-dimensional
geometrical shapes.
overall impression of a sculpture.
Here are some things to pay attention to:
 Say if the material gives a particular texture to the statue. Is the
surface smooth, or is it uneven?
E.g., Rodin’s sculpture has an unusual earthy texture.
 The surrounding space is just as important as the sculpture itself.
Describe the place (in the museum, in a park, in front of a building)
where it is situated. What does it add to the sculpture?
E.g., the statue appears to walk along the road.
 Speak about the color of the sculpture. Is it painted? Does it rely on
natural lights and shadows?
E.g., the statue is white. A museum floodlight lights it from above,
creating expressive shadows.
 Describe the composition of the sculpture. What does it look like
when you approach it? Did the sculptor provide any instructions on
how to position it?
E.g., the statue is enormous and can be viewed from all sides.
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |6

3. Architecture Critique. You can write art critiques on architecture, too! Example of review of artwork (painting) 1:

Just bear in mind the following points: The Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso in France, 1937
 What architectural style does it belong to?
E.g., the cathedral is a typical Gothic building.
 Was it built with a purpose? Did a specific person request it?
E.g., the Palace of Versailles was requested by Louis IV as a
symbol of his monarchy.
 Did one architect complete the building, or were there any
alterations? Why were they made?
E.g., the spire was added to the cathedral much later. It became
the integral part of its image.
 What do the exterior and the interior look like? What effect do they
produce? Is there a contrast between them?
E.g., the building has a high ceiling painted like the sky. It
also makes the organ music sound louder.
 Are there statues or paintings on the walls? Discuss them as well!
E.g., statues on the cathedral’s facade illustrate scenes from
the Bible.
4. Photography Critique. Analyzing a photograph is a lot like
critiquing a painting.
Still, there are some unique features to consider:
 How does the photographer use focus? Is any part of the image Describe:
blurry? What effect does it produce?
E.g., the background is out-of-focus, which has a dreamy The Weeping Woman is a painting finished by Pablo Picasso in
effect. France, 1937. This type of artwork can be considered to be expressionism.
 Is the picture monochrome? If yes, describe its tone, contrast, and There isn’t an actual background scene in the painting. The background
shadows. If no, describe the use of color. is completed with different lines and colors. The woman is the focus point
E.g., the picture is in black and white, with stark contrasts. of this painting. She is wearing an accessory on top of her head which
 If it’s a photo of a face, pay extra attention to the emotion it demonstrates her elegance. My first impression of the artwork is that the
expresses. If it’s dynamic, discuss the sense of motion. face of the woman is not proportionate and is only painted with lines, no
E.g., the photograph conveys a sense of cheerfulness curves. The main colors that are used in this painting are green, yellow,
through the girl’s expression and the use of light. blue, purple, red and black. The painting is set mainly of lined and little
curves. The mood and visual effect that this painting portrays can be
considered to be suffering, and sadness.
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |7

Analyze: able understand and comprehend the message behind this painting as we
all feel the same way at one point in our lives. I believe that this is a
The colors that the author uses can be considered to be quite
strong value in the painting. The weak value lies in the different colors
different as each color conveys a separate impression. The light purple
that the painter chooses. I found it confusing to interpret other areas of
that begins at the bottom top of the woman’s eyes can convey sadness.
the face as the colors that were used didn’t seem to match other locations
The other half of the face is mainly covered in green and yellow; these can
of the face.
be said to interpret other solid emotions that the painter must have
towards this woman as she was a vital character in Picasso’s life. The
painting is created with mainly lines which can mean that the woman had
strong physical features or that her different emotions were felt
Example of review of artwork 2:
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
passionately as lines are usually seen as strong technical elements. The
only curves that are being used are for her hair and eyes. The eyes look
quite down or depressive. This is because the woman is crying, which
goes back to the main mood which is suffering.
Interpretation:
I believe that Picasso wanted the audience to feel pain and provide
a statement that explains how all women feel and the agony that they are
consistently in. The audience can see that the woman has peeled away
her flesh by corrosive tears to reveal her white bones. The handkerchief
she tries to stuff in her mouth seems as a shard of glass. This vivid image
can convey pain and hurting. Picasso has expressed the behavior of this
woman several times and often describes the constant tears that fall off
her eyes. So, the feeling conveyed by the artwork is definitely suffering.
Picasso wanted us to feel her and understand the pain that she was going
through. It was not easy to be a woman during that time since females
where often frowned upon. Picasso demonstrates the appreciation that he What Does the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci Depict?
has for her through this painting as he wants the audience to understand
her. ‘The Last Supper’ of Leonardo da Vinci is considered to be
Judge: undoubtedly a masterpiece. Debates have ensued, though, concerning the

Finally, the artist’s value may be to evoke pain, as mentioned interpretation of this piece of art. Some even claim that Leonardo da Vinci
previously. This is due to the colors that Picasso used and the shapes tried to transfer a secret message to us through it. What is portrayed in
that he draws; not only these technical elements but also the images that
this painting that has attracted and enchanted such a great amount of
the painter uses within the actual face of the woman. The painting relates
to the entire female community. This community can understand the viewers?
painting and know what Picasso was trying to portray. Every woman is
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |8
The painting depicts a supper of twelve disciples of Jesus Christ
and Christ himself before the prophet is betrayed (Essak, 2013). Jesus
Christ gathers all together in order to eat and drink at a table, which is
not so big and where the food itself is plain. This humble atmosphere
allows the viewers to focus more on the disciples and Christ. In addition
to this, Christ tells the assembly that one person who is present in that
supper will betray him. The painting actually shows the first moment
after this statement and the reactions of the disciples to this speech
(Saunders, 2011). Leonardo da Vinci artfully depicts shock, surprise and
other various human emotions in his painting. Although every
person in the painting possesses unique features, I believe ”The Last
Supper’ can be divided into four symmetrical groups full of life and
motion (Essak, 2013).
The group from the left side of Christ reacts impulsively and is
united by one and the same will. One disciple has even stood up and
another has his finger raised. The group that is on right-hand side is
characterized by greater reserve. There is a huge distance between them
and Jesus Christ. Judah who can be found among these disciples holding
a pouch, perhaps with silver.
His dark and harsh appearance contrasts magnificently with the
innocent and light figure of John. Some scientists claim that this is not
actually John, but Mary Magdalene, because his face is feminine and
gentle (Welborn, 2013). In thinking critically, this version is hardly
believable, as Christ gathered twelve disciples, not eleven. Otherwise, the
symbolism of ‘The Last Supper’ does not make any sense. Between Judah
and John, the head of Peter can be seen and moreover, he holds a knife in
his arm as if he would like to protect Jesus. From his right-hand side,
another group of disciples is portrayed. They are turned in profile and it
looks like they are astonished by the news that was introduced. From the
opposite side, we may see Matthew who is asking the same question to
the other men trying to find the clear explanation of what is happening at
that particular moment.
Frankly speaking, while searching for a secret code of Leonardo da
Vinci in his painting ‘the Last Supper’, one may lose the real visible goal
of the picture. It brilliantly portrays the discrepancy between the
conciliation of Christ with his future, his reserve, calm and absolutely
different emotional states and unique reactions of his disciples to the
piece of news that he will be betrayed. The painting has vague aspects
about it and perhaps hidden symbols, but this is not the reason why this
painting attracts millions of people and involves them into the researches
and deep investigation of every centimeter of this masterpiece.
https://answershark.com/writing/creating-review/art-review/the-last-supper-by-leonardo-da-
vinci.html
 SHS- ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES |9

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

(ANSWER SHEET)
Module No. 4 (Week 7 and 8)
REACTION PAPER AND CONCEPT PAPER

NAME: _______________________ SCORE: ____________________

DATE: ________________________
GRADE, STRAND, SECTION: __________________________________
NAME OF TEACHER: RUDELYN V. BORRES

LESSON 1.
CRITICAL APPROACHES IN WRITING A CRITIQUE

ACTIVITY 1.
Directions: Summarize what you have read by completing the table with what you
understood. Write your answers in your notebook.

APPROACHES IN WHAT IT IS HOW IT IS DONE

LITERARY CRITICISM (DEFINITION)
Example: This approach regards
literature as “a unique form
Formalism of human knowledge that
needs to be examined on its
own terms.”
(TECHNIQUE IN WRITING)
A primary goal for formalist
critics is to determine how
elements of form (style,
structure, tone, imagery,
etc.) work together with the
text’s content to shape its
effects upon readers.
 S H S - E N G L I S H F O R A C A D E M I C A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L P U R P O S E S | 10

Judge:

LESSON 2:
OBJECTIVE/BALANCED REVIEW OR CRITIQUE OF A WORK OF ART,
AN EVENT OR A PROGRAM

ACTIVITY 1

One of the Filipino cultures that we continuously preserved and practiced is

“Bayanihan”. It is an expression of spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a
particular objective.

Directions: Below is the painting of “Bayanihan”; take a look at this, study, analyze,
and write a balanced/objective review of the painting considering the elements
discussed. Write your review in paragraph on the space provided. (You may use back
page.)

https://www.google.com/search?q=bayanihan+sa+bukid+painting+meaning&source
Describe:
Analyze:
Interpretation: