LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO: 3

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES (EAPP)

Module 6: Use Appropriate Critical Approaches in Writing a Critique such as Formalism,
Feminism, etc.

I. INTRODUCTION
In this module, you will be able to skillfully determine and employ critical writing with a
clear understanding on how a critique should be written using appropriate approaches to a specific
subject or written material.

II. VOCABULARY LIST

Here are the following terms you might be unfamiliar with:
• Paradox- made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually or may be
true or possible
• Evaluation- to judge the value or condition of something in a careful and thoughtful way; to
determine significance or worth
• Demography-statistical study of human population with reference to size and density, distribution
and vital statistics
• Patriarchy- a family, group or government controlled or led by man or group of men
• Tripartite- involving three people, groups or parts

III. ACTIVITIES/ LEARNING CONCEPT

TEST A: “My Emoji, My Thoughts”: Choose at least two items/pictures of your choice. All you must
do is to weigh your thoughts and draw the feeling towards the picture/s by making your own emoji style.
After which, write and share why you have drawn/chosen such emoji. Whether your thoughts are
positive or negative provide your reasons/arguments. One to three sentences would be enough.

1 2 Start you answer with this:

I have chosen picture number ___. My emoji is _____.

Write your positive or negative thoughts about the

picture._______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________

3 4 Inspired by your thoughts above, write at least two sentences which

explain facts about the item of your choice above. Indicate below
your source of information backing up the correctness of information
you have provided.
1. _____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
Source of Information:_________________________________

Since you have initially warmed up, let us go farther in understanding the concepts and principles
focusing on critical approaches you should be familiar with necessary for you to write a critique. A step
by-step procedure will be modeled from simple to a much complex structure depending on the required
number of paragraphs or words your teacher allows you to do so.

WHAT IS A CRITIQUE?

Critique is derived from ancient Greek (“kritike”). It is defined as a careful judgment in which
you shape your opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of a piece of writing or work of art.
Depending on the instruction of your teacher, its length may vary from 100 to 750 words or more. It is
not a summary of the piece, rather, it is the critical evaluation to further understand validity, worth,
effect, use of the material that interests readers, and/or the recommendation or appeal for further
appreciation. This could be possible by way of subjecting the piece of writing on the critical approaches
in analyzing the piece using appropriate evidence and arguments. Proper and acceptable reasons or
proofs are necessary to ensure quality and substance of the opinions you have cited which reinforces
relevant persuasion.
 A. CRITICAL APPROACHES IN WRITING A CRITIQUE
In writing a critique, one approach may be enough. You may use one or a mixture of approaches
depending on the length and depth of your critique. However, it is still easier for a beginner to simply
focus with one approach.

1. FORMALISM/ NEW CRITICISM SAMPLE FORMALIST CRITIQUE

This approach claims that all that are important in “Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez”
analyzing and understanding the text can be found in the piece
of writing or text itself. Outside information regarding the The title of the work already gives an
author, society of the time, politics or any other external context idea as to what it means. In physics, it is stated
are no longer needed. The text is independent. It has a fixed that the light and energy of the stars must
meaning. It is timeless and universal. travel light years to reach us. Since they are
millions of miles away and light must travel this
You may consider these questions when writing a formalist large distance, it is highly possible that the star
critique: has already exploded while its light is still
1. What is the title, setting, other elements etc. and to what travelling towards us. Therefore, it is possible
extent it is symbolic? that a bright light we see at night comes from
2. What kind of language does the author use? a dead star.
3. How is the work’s structure unified? In the story, this metaphor is used to
4. How do various elements of the work reinforce its meaning? refer to Alfredo’s love for Julia, a woman he
5. What recurring patterns (repeated or related words, images, meets and falls for one fateful summer. Not
etc.) can you find? What is the effect of these patterns or only is the title an indicator of what is to come,
motifs? even the fate of the characters in the story can
6. How does repetition reinforce the theme(s)? already be seen through their names.
7. How does the writer’s diction reveal or reflect the work’s Alfredo’s name means counselor of
meaning? elves in Spanish and suggests someone who
8. What is the effect of the plot, and what parts specifically is wise. In the story, it is indicated that Alfredo
produce that effect? is a lawyer, a person who counsels. Still, his
9. What figures of speech are used? (metaphors, similes, etc.) name denotes a certain irony; despite his
10. Note the writer’s use of paradox, irony, symbol, plot, supposed wisdom, Alfredo’s actions,
characterization, and style of narration. especially his covert courtship with Julia while
11. What effects are produced? Do any of these relate to one being engaged to another, are anything but
another or to the theme? sensible. Julia’s name, on the other hand,
12. Is there a relationship between the beginning and the end refers to someone who is youthful, which is
of the story? how Alfredo sees her for eight years until he is
13. What tone and mood are created at various parts of the confronted by reality.
work?
14. How does the author create tone and mood? What Barrot & Sipacio. (2017).
relationship is there between tone and Communicate Today ENGLISH for
mood and the effect of the story? Academic & Professional Purposes
15. How do the various elements interact to create a unified for SHS. Quezon City: C&E
whole? Publishing, Inc.
16. What is the argument or thesis?
17. Who is telling the story in the piece?

2. FEMINISM SAMPLE FEMINIST CRITIQUE

“Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez”
This approach emphasizes the importance or relevance
of women as subjects and how gender been perceived in the The story is a study of power
piece. The images of women and the underlying concepts of imbalance brought about by gender. In the
femininity including economic, societal, psychological and beginning, Dead Stars already clearly
archetypal nature of women are examined. This approach illustrates the gender roles ingrained in
likewise stresses equality for a male dominated society. Filipino Society: Don Julian and the judge are
portrayed as the male leaders of the
You may consider these questions when writing a feminist household, taking up lofty professions such as
critique: business and law while the women are
1. How are women’s lives portrayed in the work? portrayed accomplishing domestic tasks such
2. Is the form and content of the work influenced by the writer’s as tending the children and preparing food.
gender? The most note-worthy display of imbalance in
3. How do male and female characters relate to one another? power, however, lies on the central theme of
Are these relationships sources of conflict? Are these conflicts Alfredo’s love for Julia as simply a dead star.
resolved? Eight years after their forbidden love and after
4. Does the work challenge or affirm traditional views of getting married to another woman. Alfredo still
women? holds Julia as an object of affection, thus
5. How do the images of women in the story reflect patriarchal creating a distance between him and his wife,
social forces that have impeded women’s efforts to achieve full Esperanza.
equality with men?
6. What marital expectations are imposed on the SAMPLE FEMINIST CRITIQUE
characters? What effect do these expectations have? “Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez”
7. What behavioral expectations are imposed on the
characters? What effect do these expectations have? In their relationship as a wedded couple,
8. If a female character were male, how would the story the power lies in Alfredo , not only because
be different (and vice versa)? patriarchal society designates him as the head of
9. How does the marital status of a character affect her the household, but also because he remains
decisions or happiness? unreachable to his wife by harboring feelings for
10. How does culture view women vs. men? another woman. Moreover, the realization that his
11. How is the relationship between men and women love for Julia is simply a dead star is brought
portrayed? about by his treatment of Julia as simply an
12. What are the power relationships between men and illusion and an object of affection, and not as a
women (or characters assuming male/female roles)? woman. This gender imbalance leads to a tragic
13. Do characters take on traits from opposite genders? epiphany for the characters, but is also a
How so? How does this change others’ reactions to reflection of how men are viewed to dominate not
them? only in the household but also in their relationship
14. What does the work reveal about the operations with women.
(economically, politically, socially, or psychologically) of
patriarchy? Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate
15. What does the work imply about the possibilities of Today ENGLISH for Academic
sisterhood as a mode of resisting patriarchy? & Professional Purposes for SHS.
16. What role does the work play in terms of women's Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
literary history and literary tradition?

3. READER’S RESPONSE SAMPLE READER’S RESPONSE CRITIQUE

This approach stresses the “Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez”
attachment or strong connectionism
of an individual reader’s mind to the Despite being limited in length, Dead Stars manages to evoke
piece at hand. The reader herself various feelings which ultimately build up the ending. While Alfredo is
can put meaning and interpret every the center of the story, as a woman reader it is hard not to feel greatly
part of the text. The text is nothing for Esperanza. Esperanza can only be seen through the perspective of
unless it has been read and Alfredo. This does a disservice to her, as we can only know her through
interpreted by the reader. the description of someone who does not love her anymore. Still, it is
The reader’s reaction and also through Alfredo’s descriptions and his unfaithfulness that
interaction made from the piece Esperanza gains sympathy from the reader.
recreates and develops a further During all the moments when Alfredo and Julia are together, the
depth of meaning. The manner a thought of Esperanza looms in the background—does she know? How
poem or a short story is read or will she react? What will happen now? The sympathy only increases
delivered strengthens and invokes when they get married, for it is clear that Alfredo is detached from her
visuals and imagination to a much- and is still harboring feelings for Julia. While the end certainly evokes a
sought individual appreciation. feeling of loss at Alfredo’s epiphany, it is the feeling of betrayal for
In such a case, a reader who Esperanza that stays.
happened to read the same text may
find the experience different from the Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for
first against the second time Academic
& Professional Purposes for SHS. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.

4. MARXIST CRITICISM SAMPLE MARXIST CRITIQUE

This approach tries to “Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez”
unfold how socioeconomic status The imbalanced societal power play is evident in the short story in
affects hierarchy or conflicts the form of the treatment of the characters based on their class. This is most
involving social classes in the easily evident in the conversation between Alfredo and his fiancée.
masterpiece. Esperanza, about Calixta, their note-carrier who grew up in the latter’s
This approach likewise family. The scene depicts a parallelism in the circumstance of Alfredo and
attempts to answer the following his new love, Julia, and Calixta and her live-in partner.
questions: However, while no one blatantly frowns upon the budding
1. What are the differences relationship between Alfredo and Julia, except for some whispered rumors
between economic classes? that reached Esperanza, Calixta is dubbed “ungrateful” to her master for
2. What conflict has arisen doing such an act. Alfredo does not have to answer to anyone for his
between the working class and unfaithfulness, but Calixta is responsible not only for what her family might
the elite? think, but also for the members of her master’s family. despite the same
3. What implication may the circumstances, the two people are regarded differently based on their
socioeconomic system bring? positions in life.
4. What social class has been Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for
emphasized and how was this Academic & Professional Purposes for SHS. Quezon City: C&E
portrayed in the piece? Publishing, Inc.
OTHER APPROACHES
5. Biographical Approach: Focuses on connection of work to author’s personal experiences.
Understanding authors’ life can help in comprehending the work. This aspect amplifies meaning and
relevance of the text.
6. Historical Approach: This approach focuses on connection of work to the historical period in
which it was written; literary historians attempt to connect the historical background of the work to
specific aspects of the work.
7. Psychological Approach: This approach focuses on the psychology of characters.
8. Sociological Approach: This approach focuses on man’s relationship to others in society, politics,
religion, and business.
9. Archetypal Approach: This approach focuses on connections to other literature,
mythological/biblical allusions, archetypal images, symbols, characters, and themes.
10. Philosophical Approach: This approach focuses on themes, view of the world, moral statements,
author’s philosophy, etc.

B. WRITING STRUCTURE

In this accord, let us denote salient structures and parts appropriate to include in the output along
with the outlined questions you have included. There has been no strict rules in terms of structure for it
varies depending on your teacher’s task requirements, however, for uniformity purposes, let us
generally use the following parts below ranging from at least 100 to 750 words.
Remember that the heart of your critique shall focus on its strengths and weaknesses and to relay
how effective is the material.
GENERAL FORMAT STRUTURE FOR CRITIQUE OF
ACADEMIC TEXTS AND RESEARCH
A. Introduction (Short paragraph/paragraph/s - one
to three sentences or more) A. INTRODUCTION (around 5% of the paper)
This must include the title of the material, the This includes the title of the book/article/work,
author, and your assessment of the material. the writer’s name and the thesis statement which will
For a short story, this part may also include preview your analysis.
the background of the piece, your opinion and the
thesis. The thesis includes the subject, your opinion, B. SUMMARY (around 10%)
and your main point. In this phase, objective or purpose must be
For example: cited. Methods used if applicable could be included
SUBJECT: The Blind Assassin along with major finding, claims, ideas or message
OPINION: show’s Atwood’s skills as a writer highlighted in the material. This also includes
MAIN POINT/S: because of the visual imagery, the arguments and findings on the material
strong characters and the memorable
message. C. REVIEW (around 75%)
In this phase, the following must be observed:
B. Plot Summary/Description (Short paragraph/s –
one to three sentences or more) 1. Appropriateness of methodology to support the
This involves the gist or the description of the arguments (for books and articles) or
material. For a short story, this is the understanding appropriateness of mode of presentation (other
of plot or summary of the piece examined. works) must be cited.
2. Theoretical soundness, coherence of ideas
C. Analysis and Interpretation/ Evaluation (One 3. Sufficiency and soundness of explanation in
to three or more paragraph/s) relation to other available information and
In this phase you will retrieve the guiding experts. It is likewise best to ask the following
questions of your choice to include in your outlined questions during this part:
discussion. It does not necessarily mean that you will a. What are the assumptions mentioned in the work?
include all in one but rather only those you think are Are they explicitly discussed? • What are the
needed depending on the arguments or points you contributions of the work to the field where it belongs?
wanted to stress. b. What problems and issues are discussed or
For the formalist view for example, any presented in the work? • What kinds of information
among the character, dialogue, setting, conflict, are presented in the work?
suspense, ending and plot would speak by itself. c. How are information used to support the
Analysis of the poem for formalists may involve arguments or thesis? • Are there other ways
imagery, sound, figurative language, language and of supporting the arguments or thesis aside from the
other elements. information used in the work? Is the author or creator
silent about the alternative ways of explanation?
D. Conclusion/Closing paragraph (One to three
paragraphs) D. CONCLUSION (around 10%)
At this point, you shall be able to link your 1. Your overall impression of the work shall be
thoughts reinforced with your assessment in the stated.
introduction.
 If in any case it is possible for you to compare 4. Suggestion for future direction of research
the masterpiece to a similar work, the better. Your 5. Clarify and summarize judgments
recommendation depends on how you have 6. Comment about why such research matters or
perceived the material observing all fair judgment what else needs to be researched in the field.
and appreciation.

TEST B: Let’s Write! Read the excerpt below and write on your notebook the critical approach used.
What critical approach is employed on the excerpt cited below?
1. a. Feminism b. Biographical c. Marxist d. Readers Response

Your love is like the sun, Excerpt of a Critique:

That lights up my whole world It has a sestet stanza or six lines in a stanza, it’s lyrical
I feel the warmth inside; because it shows strong
Your love is like the river, feelings and thoughts. It shows no rhyme (a, b, c, d, e, c). It
That flows down through my veins is a hexameter consisting of
I feel the chill inside; six number of feet and it shows repetition of phrases. The
repetition is intently used to
evoke a strong feeling.

2. a. Psychological approach b. Formalism c. Historical/Marxist d. Feminist

Sample excerpt critique:
The poem explores the concept of justice and how it is applied in the Philippine Society today
compared to our times in the past. Although it is about the Supreme Court in particular, it also reflects
other problems in the Philippine Government. For example the use of money and power by government
officials to cover up their mistakes in public. Evident in the content, we can say at present that checks
and balances in the Philippine Government to some extent are still alive and well, however, there are
loopholes at some circumstances apparent or observable today.

3. a. Biographical b. Formalism c. Historical d. Feminist

Sample Excerpt:
The piece begins from a thought how happy life is. The experiences of the main character the
moment he was born depicts a remarkable good life. Contentment as it may seem are repeated
expressed in the piece. However, a twist seems to unfold the mask behind happy faces, happy
moments and happy life. It is an exactly opposite of reality as hinted by some contradicting thoughts by
the speaker. This I think is very much possible because the main character it seems is the author
himself.

TEST C: A poem entitled “Caged Bird” is hereunder written. Analyze and decide on the approach/es
you will use in critiquing the piece. Draft your critical approach questions and put them together in
your critique outline. Then, write a critique not less than two paragraphs or a hundred words. Use the
rubric below in checking your critique content.
CAGED BIRD BY MAYA ANGELOU

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill
of things unknown
 CAGED BIRD BY MAYA ANGELOU
CONTINUATION…..

but longed for still

and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

Your Critique Writing Rubric

Critique Structure:
1. Introduction (Short paragraph/paragraph/s - one to three sentences or more)
Introduction Statement (include Title, author, your opinion) 5points
Your thesis 5points

II. Plot Summary/Description (Short paragraph/s – one to three sentences or more)

This involves the gist or the description of the material. For a short story, this is the
understanding of plot or summary of the piece examined. 10 points

III. Analysis and Interpretation/Evaluation (One to three paragraph/s) 60 points

Your Critique
For formalism may consider
Imagery, sound, language figures of speech etc.
For Biographical may consider knowing the author’s experiences
For Historical may deal comparison women on her time was perceived
For Marxism may consider societal differences
For feminism the focus would be on oppression etc.

IV. Conclusion/Closing paragraph 20 points

________________
100 points/percent/10points