Critique

How it is used

Students are asked to critique an article or write a critique of a theory. In academic English a critique is balanced, not only negative: it judges method, evidence and argument. Criticize usually means pointing out faults, and criticism is its noun.

Example sentences

1. For next week, write a 1,000-word critique of the article on homework and achievement.

2. Several scholars have critiqued the model for ignoring cultural differences.

Common collocations

• write a critique
• critique a study
• offer a critique
• critique of the literature

Related terms

• evaluateTo judge the quality, value, effectiveness or importance of something, usually by using clear criteria or evidence.
• argumentA position supported by reasons and evidence, or the line of reasoning that runs through an essay, article or thesis.
• literature reviewA critical summary of what has already been published on a topic, showing the main ideas, debates and gaps that a new study responds to.
• counterargumentAn argument against your own position, which a writer presents fairly and then answers or weakens to make the main argument stronger.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• critique · Art & Art History

More terms: Literature Review

• literature
• research gap
• theoretical framework
• seminal
• synthesize
• draw on
• build on
• primary source
• secondary source
• systematic review
• database
• meta-analysis