Critical Analysis Outline

Critical Analysis Outline

1. Introduction
   1. Article’s title (in quotes), author’s full name (After using full name the first time, you should only use last name in reference), and original publication date
   2. Statement of author’s topic, purpose, and intended audience
   3. Your thesis statement (Is the essay effective? Ineffective?  Somewhat effective?  And why? – Give 3 reasons.)
2. Summary of the article – present only what the reader needs to know to understand your analysis; be sure to use your own words.

• Body – Your evaluation of the article
  1. Reason #1 and supporting evidence from article. Also, explain why this evidence supports your claim.
  2. Reason #2 and supporting evidence; explain why the evidence supports your reasoning.

1. Conclusion
   1. Restatement of author’s main point and essay’s purpose
   2. Restatement of your thesis – your basic evaluation of the essay
   3. Call for action (What might the author have done better? – ideas, appeals, research approach. Who should read this essay?  Why?)

Other considerations –

+ You need to include at least two quotes and two paraphrases from the article you are analyzing.

+ Be sure to use in-text citations (MLA) wherever necessary.

+ Remember to use transitions that keep each section of the paper tied to your main claim.

+ The final page of your analysis will be a Works Cited page.