- One short review of no more than 750 words that relate to a specific topic covered in lecture sessions or a specific reading from the unit outline/reading list.
• Word limit: 750 words (+ or – usual 10% margin).
• Combined weighting within unit: 25% of your final grade.
Submission: The critical review note should be submitted in a single document, clearly stating the word count by the deadline.
Aims/Purpose:
• Encourage critical thinking and writing skills – A key task at Master’s level is transitioning from reiterating what others have said to producing your own critiques. You must assess an issue that arises in the readings and provide your own critique/reaction. Rather than regurgitate what the readings have said, please provide your own informed assessment.
• Short, snappy, informed “opinion-piece” style writing – whether in consulting, government, private sector or academic work, you may need to quickly assess an argument and provide your own reaction. This is an opportunity to work on these skills with less-pressure or formality than end of semester essays.
• May help you form ideas you would like to explore further in essays/dissertation
How to do it:
Jot down notes about what you think and feel as you read through the text. When you come to write the paper, do not simply sum up the readings or summarise the key points. You may include a (very brief) summary (e.g. main point, evidence, purpose of the work), but should prioritise analysis, considering questions/issues such as:
– Does the work achieve its purpose?
– Are there sections you don’t understand, why?
– Point out strong areas or flaws in the author’s argument. Do so with strong reasons and refer to the text in doing so.
It is perfectly fine, and encouraged, to use “I”: e.g. I argue that….; I agree/do not agree with X because of Y.
In sum, please try to produce an informed critique which evaluates the work of (an)other scholar(s) by including the following:
• Clear, well-structured argument(s)
• Demonstration of understanding of the literature
• Your own, original reaction
