Objective
Writing critiques will help you develop crtical thinking and teach you how to evaluate and extract deep understanding from original research papers.
Reading
You should expect to read for one to four hours for each class and to think and write for an additional hour or two to develop an interesting critique.
Your emphasis should be on the innovation and insights that the papers provide and the avenues of new research that these papers pave.
Format
Critiques are due at the beginning of each class. If you are poresenting and leading the discussion, you are not required to write a critique.
Your critique should not exceed two pages and must reflect on what you learned
and thoughts provoced by the paper. The critique must includes a short summary of the papr, but most
of it should be based on your original thoughts about the paper, what you learned form the paper, and your new ideas provoked by the paper. Please seek concision and clarity and avoid unnecessary commentary. Your and my time is precieless! Make sure that you use an active voice in your critique.
The following specific format is required.
- The document must be in 12 point font, single spaced.
- First, set the stage and start with a paragraph (quarter page) that
states the problem addressed in the paper, describes the proposed solution, and summarizes the insights resulting from the empirical study.
- Second, state the strength(s) of the paper in one to three
sentences.
- Third, state the weakness(es) of the paper in one to three
sentences.
- Forth, include two of the following and discuss each in a separate paragraph:
- What future research directions should be explored?
- What ideas or thoughts the provokes?
- What potential impact does it have on the field?
- Why will the papr be cited?
- What questions remain open?
- What experiments can provide deeper understanding about the work?
- How does it relate and extend the previous research?
- Why the work in not interesting?
- In which situations the approch will work or will not work?
- How can your own research be mixed with the insights provided in the paper?
- Other interesting analyses and commentery.
Below, is a latex template and more explanation about the structure of a critique and the required format. Please read it.
I would prefer that you use the provided latex template. However, you are free to choose a different word processing tool while adhereing to the requested formatting guidelines (12 point font, single spacing).
Grading
I will evaluate your critiques on a ten-point scale. You can also get a bonus point; however, I expect most critiques to receive a ten.
- Required sections (8 points):
summary (1 point), strengths (1 point), weaknesses (1 point), analytical discussion (each 2.5 point).
- Grammar and spelling (1 point).
- Clarity and grace, i.e., clear, well organized
arguments in well organized paragraphs (1 point).
- Deep analysis and/or surprising me with a
really interesting idea (1 bonous point).
Late policy
For eacbh assigned paper, critiques are due at the beginning of the corresponding class.
I will not accept late critiques, except in the case of illness.
Submission
Please hind in a printed copy of your critique at the beginning of the class.
Reading material for writing critiques