Critical Approaches K.
Is there a relationship between the beginning and the
Critique- Analyzing an argument involves a systematic,
personal response to determine its content, assumptions,
issues, and implications, ensuring a comprehensive
understanding of the text.
Can be used to carefully analyze a variety of works such
as:
Creative works – novels, exhibits, film, images, poetry
novels, exhibits, film, images, poetry
Research – monographs, journal articles, systematic
reviews, theories
Media – news reports, feature articles
A critique, similar to an essay, employs a formal academic
writing style with a clear structure, including an
introduction, body, and conclusion, evaluating a work's
impact in a specific field.
Writing a critique of 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.
Before you start writing, it is important to have a thorough
understanding of the work that will be critiqued.
•Study the work under discussion.
•Make notes on key parts of the work.
•Develop an understanding of the main argument or
purpose being expressed in the work.
•Consider how the work relates to a broader issue or
context.
The following are the different approaches to writing a
critique:
1) Formalist literature examines the work on its
terms, focusing on its form elements like style,
structure, tone, and imagery. Critics aim to
determine how these elements interact with the
text's content to shape its impact on 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?
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
story’s effect?
N. How do the various elements interact to create a
unified whole?
2) Gender Criticism examines how sexual identity
influences literary works, focusing on patriarchal
attitudes that result in unexamined male-produced
assumptions in literature, with feminist approaches
including the "masculinist" approach advocated by poet
Robert Bly.
3) Feminist Criticism aims to correct gender
imbalances by analyzing attitudes and examining how
sexual identity influences text reading and how images
of men and women in literature reflect or reject social
forces preventing total equality. Feminist Criticism
explores female characters in myth and literature, using
psychological, archetypal, and sociological approaches
to challenge a male-dominated perspective and correct
or supplement it.
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 critics aim to comprehend a literary work's
impact on its original readers by examining its social,
cultural, and intellectual context, including the artist's
biography and milieu.
Questions to be Asked for Historical 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) The Reader-Response Criticism approach views
literature as a creative process between the reader's
mind and physical text, describing the reader's
interpretation and interpretation of the text.
6) Structuralism is a unified approach to
understanding human behavior, emphasizing the
importance of understanding things within larger
structures. It focuses on the context of larger structures,
such as courtly love, rather than focusing solely on
formal elements.
7) Marxist or 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? Are 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?
Objective/ Balanced Review or Critique of a
Work of Art, An Event or a Program
Balanced/objective Review or Criticism 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.
To have a 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 a
form of art, medium, size and scale, elements or general
shapes, color, the texture of the surface, and context of the
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 involves determining the subject matter,
analyzing design principles, using symbols, portraying
movement, and evaluating medium effects, relationships,
and object reactions.
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 writer 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 to other works and of course, considering a very
important aspect of the visual arts; its originality. It
answers the question "Is it a good artwork?" Is it a good
composition? 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 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 relates to each criterion?)'
and
(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.
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.
2. Sculpture Critique. Similarly, many specific factors
influence the 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.
3. Architecture Critique. You can write art critiques on
architecture, too!
Just bear in mind the following points:
 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
an 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 blurry? What effect does it produce?
E.g., the background is out-of-focus, which has a dreamy effect.
 Is the picture monochrome? If yes, describe its tone,
contrast, and shadows. If no, describe the use of color.
E.g., the picture is in black and white, with stark contrasts.
  If it's a photo of a face, pay extra attention to the
emotion it expresses. If it's dynamic, discuss the
sense of motion.
E.g., the photograph conveys a sense of cheerfulness
through the girl's expression and the use of light.
Concept Paper
A concept paper clarifies a topic, providing a brief
summary and capturing thoughts and ideas. It's a
structured research proposal for approval. Writing a
concept paper is challenging, but with careful study and
research, it can be done.
There are many ways a writer can expound a concept.
You can use definition, explication, and clarification.
Explication is the scientific process of defining
concepts and outlining their implications, resulting in
an account of the implications of something, which is
the product of this process.
Clarification is an analysis of an abstract concept
through the investigation of examples and the
identification of critical and less critical attributes.
These are needed to make your concept paper clear
and comprehensible.
The definition distinguishes a term from related ones
by identifying its general class and providing specifics
to differentiate it from other related terms.
Techniques:
1. Formal follows a patter or equation; term + genus +
differentia (differentiating characteristics)
Example: Technology is the branch of knowledge
dealing with engineering or applied sciences.
2. By synonym using a word or phrase that shares a
meaning with the term being defined.
Example: Technology - Knowledge, Computers
3. By origin or semantic history
Example: Technology comes from the Greek word
tekhnologia.
4. By illustration
Example: Technology involves the use of machinery in
every aspect of work.
5. By function
Example: Technology uses hi-tech machines to get the
work done.
6. By analyzing down wholes into parts, aspects into
levels, and a process into steps)
Example: Technology is defined as the application of
scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially
in industry.
7. By likeness of similarity
Example: Technology is likened to modern living
where robots exist.
8. By analogy or metaphor
Example: Technology is like a robot that makes life
easier.
9. By contrast the use of opposites
Example: Unlike the manual work, technology makes
work efficient.
10. By negation - stating what the term is not
Example: Technology is not harmful if used properly.
Position Paper- An essay presents a position on
an issue, presenting arguments and facts to
support the writer's opinion, aiming to convince
the audience of its validity through thorough
investigation and data collection.
Elements of a Position Paper
A. Introduction- The paper introduces an issue
discussed by the author, emphasizing their
position, and provides a background and history of
the issue.
B. Body- This section presents the central argument,
detailing details, points of view, and evidence,
divided into background information, supporting
the author's position, and a discussion addressing
and refuting both sides.
C. Conclusion- This section summarizes the main
points of the paper, summarizes the arguments
presented, and offers a call to action.
Position papers are crucial for presenting and supporting
an issue, requiring the gathering of factual information to
effectively argue your argument.
Remember!
The activities that are important to make a convincing
stand.
A. Identify the issue
B. Make a stand
C. Formulate your thesis statement about your stand
on the issue you have identified.
D. Do research and readings to gather information
that will be used as evidence.
E. Present an effective argument
The basic parts of a position paper are as follows:
Introduction - Identification of the issue and background
and the statement of the position.
Body - Description of the argument
Presentation of facts and evidences
Conclusion - Restatement of main points and summarizes
arguments Suggestion of the course of action or possible
solutions
Taking a stand about an issue will empower someone to
change the opinions and attitudes of others. Thus, in
bringing about societal change the challenge is to be firm
in making a stand.
 A manifesto is a publicly declared document
expressing a group's position or program, often
addressing art, literature, or politics. It combines
societal critique with an inspirational declaration
of change, often authored by social activists and
linked to new ideas, often claiming to speak for
the majority.

Analyzing Arguments Used by the Writer

An argument is a persuasive statement presenting
evidence and resources to support an idea, aiming to
convince the reader to believe or act on it.

The claim is the primary argument in an academic essay,

outlining the paper's goals, direction, scope, and exigence,
supported by evidence, quotations, argumentation, expert
opinions, statistics, and details.

Three Types of Claim

1. Claim of Fact
Claim of Fact is a statement asserting that something has
existed, does exist, or will exist. It is not a fact; it only
claims to be a fact. Hence, the claim is debatable whether
it is true or false.
2. Claim of Value
Claim of Value is a statement asserting something to be
good or bad that something is better than the other one or
that something is more or less desirable.
3. Claim of Policy
Claim of Policy is a statement urging that some
conditions should exist, or that something should be or
should not be done. This claim advocates the adoption of
policies or courses of action due to problems that have
occurred and calls for a solution.

Citing Sources to Support Arguments

Citation is how you credit other researchers and writers
when you use their work in your papers.
Plagiarism is using someone else’s work or ideas as your
own with or without their consent by incorporating it into
your work without full acknowledgment.
Common in today’s documentation style is In-Text
Citation which includes two formats: The Parenthetical
Citation and Narrative Citations found both in the
Modern Language Association (MLA) author-page
related method and the American Psychological
Association (APA) author-year method.
 Objectives & Structure of Reports
Reports are accounts or statements describing in
adequate detail an event, situation, or circumstance,
usually as the result of observation or inquiry (Murry,
2013).
Unlike essays that set out to defend a writer’s view
about the topic, a report transmits information to
discuss a topic or to aid in solving problems and in
decision-making in a structured’ easy-to-follow format.
The scope and style of reports vary widely according to
the three key factors: the audience, purpose, and type of
information to be communicated.
Objective of Reports
Reports are written to present facts about a situation, a
project, or a process and will define and analyze the
issue at hand.
Ultimately the goal of a report is to relay observations
to a specific audience in a clear and concise style. This
manner of conveying information may aim to achieve
the following purposes:
⮚ To Inform
⮚ To describe
⮚ To explain
⮚ To Instruct
⮚ To evaluate
⮚ To persuade
Structures of Reports
Technically, the standard report observes the following (Fansworth, 2019).
structures:
⮚ Title. If the report is short, the front cover can
include any information
that you feel is necessary, such as the author (s) and the questionnaire? What is your main objective?
date prepared. In a longer report, a table of contents and 2. Define your target respondents.
a definition of terms may be included.
⮚ Summary. should summarize the major points,
conclusions, and recommendations of the report,
ensuring all relevant information is included, and
should be written after the report is complete to avoid
skimming.
⮚Introduction. The first page of the report needs to
have an introduction. Here you will explain the
problem and inform the reader why the report is being
made.
⮚ Body. The report's main section should be clear and have open questions, allowing respondents to fill in any
concise, containing technical terms or jargon from the
intended industry. It should be organized in order of
importance, with the most important information first.
⮚ Discussion. This is an optional section that can be
included at the
end of the main body to go over the findings and their
significance.
⮚ Conclusion. This is where everything comes
together. Keep this section free of jargon as many
people will just read the summary and
conclusion.
⮚ Recommendations. This is where you discuss any
actions that need to be taken in the order of priority.
⮚ Appendices. This includes information that the experts
in the field will read. It has all the technical details that
support your conclusions.
Kinds of Reports
Reports can be academic, technical, or business-oriented.
Technical Report. The technical report is focused on “how
to do” something. It is descriptive and follows a logical
step-by-step approach.
Business reports are written documents that organize
information, communicate facts, and present data to serve
business purposes, aiming to present new initiatives and
"get things done."
Academic reports are formal, empirical writing presenting
research findings, using visual forms like graphs and tables,
and are essential in various fields like chemistry, physics,
biology, sociology, and political science.
Survey Questionnaires
Questionnaire surveys are a technique for gathering
statistical information about the attributes, attitudes, or
actions of a population by a structured set of questions
(International Encyclopedia of Human Geography,
2009). Generally, the survey questionnaire aims to obtain
information suitable for statistical analysis. A survey can
come in many forms: postal surveys, telephone interviews,
face-to-face interviews, and internet surveys. Each type of
survey requires a slightly different design.
There were five steps to a good questionnaire design
1. Identify your research aims and the goal of your
questionnaire.
-What kind of information do you want to gather with your
-Clearly, you cannot test everyone- it’s rather plausible that
there have to be certain restrictions concerning the target
audience of your questionnaire.
3. Develop questions. Smart questions are the cornerstone
of every questionnaire. To make them work, they have to
be phrased in a way that prevents any misunderstandings or
ambiguities. The text should be clear, concise, and
understandable to the target group, avoiding jargon or
technical language.
4. Choose your question type. Explorative questionnaires
answer, while quantitative questionnaires have closed
questions predefined by the researcher, such as multiple-
choice answers or rating scales.
5. Design question sequence and overall layout.
- After optimizing the question separately, it is time to
improve the overall flow and layout of the questionnaire.
- Are there transitions from one question to the next? Are
follow-up questions placed correctly? Are skip rules
implemented (if needed)so that respondents can skip
questions that do not apply to them?
Testing and Revising Survey Questionnaires
Validating a survey refers to the process of assessing the
survey questions for their dependability. It is an essential
process that helps to ensure the survey is truly a dependable
one.
1. Establish face Validity. The survey's two-step
process involves review by a topic-specific group
and an expert on question construction to ensure it
accurately captures the topic.
2. Run a Pilot Test. Conduct a pilot test on a subset of
intended survey participants, with a suggested
sample size of 10% of the total population.
3. Clean Collected Data. Enter your collected data
into a spreadsheet to clean the data. Double-check
minimum and maximum values for your overall
dataset.
4. Use Principal Components Analysis (PCA).
Principal Components Analysis (PCA) helps
identify underlying survey components, common
themes, and factors by examining survey questions,
thereby validating the survey's measurement.
5. Check Internal Consistency. The reliability of a
survey is measured by ensuring that the internal
consistency of questions that load onto the same
factors is maintained.
6. Revise your Survey. The final validation stage
involves revising the survey based on principal
component analysis and Cronbach's Alpha, deleting
unfit questions, and ensuring minor changes are
ready for submission.
Conducting Surveys
Surveys, experiments, or observations are research
data collection methodologies used to gather needs,
perceptions, behaviors, and perspectives from a specific
group. They are flexible and can be used in various
research types, ensuring the appropriateness of the
method for the study's objectives.
Eight Simple Steps for Conducting Surveys:
1. Clarifying the purpose. When conducting a survey,
researchers should consider the purpose, issues to be
studied, and the advantages and disadvantages of the
survey.
2. Formulating survey goals. A researcher must
comprehend the research's objectives and target
respondents before surveying to gather necessary
information.
3. Evaluating the resources. Aside from clarifying
and deciding on the method and purpose of
gathering data, the researcher should also look
into his/ her financial resources and manpower
including the time and scope of the study. The
absence of these areas, purposes, and methods will
be in vain.
4. Deciding on the type of survey to be used. The
researcher's choice of survey type depends on the
sample size, location, and research objective,
necessitating a clear understanding of the research's
aims and respondents.
5. Testing, revising, or changing the questionnaire.
Validation of a survey requires approval from authority
and pre-conducted testing. Researchers evaluate
questionnaires for suitability, potential errors, and
ways to improve responses.
6. Administering the questionnaire. Once survey
questions have been set and tested for validity and
reliability, the researcher may pursue the distribution
or conduct of the survey to his/ her target sample or
audience.
7. Analyzing survey results. The analysis of survey
results took place after the survey responses had been
retrieved.
8. Writing survey report. The researcher will start
writing up his/ her survey report when an evaluation of
the result has been done, a hypothesis has either been
proven right or wrong and a conclusion and
recommendations have been made.
Gathering Information
Survey data collection refers to responses gathered
after respondents took the survey, varying in response
numbers, reach, impact, mode of conduct, survey style,
and use of incentives.
This Survey Information gathering may come in
several ways:
ONLINE SURVEYS. Online surveys are popular for
gathering information due to their reach and real-time
feedback. However, they require computational logic
and branching technologies for accurate data
collection.
FACE-TO-FACE SURVEYS. Face-to-face surveys
are a traditional yet effective method for information
gathering, as respondents are more cooperative and
honest. Researchers can directly observe respondents'
reactions and behaviors, reducing difficulties. This
method is particularly useful in education, particularly
in qualitative research.
PAPER SURVEYS. Paper surveys are widely used in
research studies to gather information and strengthen
response validity, particularly in banking services
where clients provide feedback and recommendations.
TELEPHONE SURVEYS. Telephone surveys are
cost-effective and efficient for gathering public opinion
on proposed environmental projects, but may challenge
researchers' ability to establish friendly relationships
with respondents, especially when contacting a general
population.
Summarizing and Executing Report
The presentation of a research report in a graphical
form helps students and researchers understand data
quickly and interestingly (Prieto, et.al. 2017). This
graph or chart may come in different types. See types
and examples below:
Line Graph. A graphical representation of data that shows a
continuous change or trend in an ascending or descending
trend.
Double Line Graph. This graphical representation of data
shows a comparison of events, situations or information. It
has two lines connecting points to show a continuous change
in the data over time. Double Line Graph includes a key,
which represents the information, event and situation being
observed.
Bar Graph or Bar Chart. A bar graph uses bars to
compare categories of data. It can be presented vertically or
horizontally.
Pie Chart. A Pie Chart is used to show how parts of the
whole compare to each other and the whole. The entire
circle represents the total, and the parts are proportional to
the amount of the total they represent. The amount presented
in each part is expressed in percentage.