What is meant by Critical Analysis??

[Mehrankhan]

Can anybody make me know what does the examiner mean when he asks that support your answer with Critical analysis??

Kindly explain in simple english..

Thanks..

[Riaz Ahmed Alizai]

In academic terms, critical analysis means considering the claims of theorists, governments, authorities and so on, what they are based on, and how far they seem to apply or be relevant to a given situation. This involves splitting them up into their component parts.Critical analysis is about how we evaluate and understand other people's work, that is, their argument. How we put together our own claims, how we link ideas is our argument. Academic argument must be based on factual information and previous theoretical claims (even if these are to be rejected) not on personal experience (which is too particular and not generalisable) or beliefs which are not grounded in fact and are therefore not generalisable.
When we write essays or make presentations in seminars, we usually have a choice about how we approach the topic or which particular aspect of the topic we are interested in. We can start off with our own ideas, but we need to be able to demonstrate them.

[Mehrankhan]

hmmmm.. got that..

and can u please also tell what should be the format of answering question of critical analysis..
especially if the question is from political science or history subjects..

[ayesha iftikhar]

Critical analysis is a central process in all academic work. It involves thinking critically, which is applying rational and logical thinking

Being critical means asking questions. It does not mean only looking for problems, disadvantages or negative aspects. It does mean trusting no-one, sometimes even your tutors!

Critical analysis is therefore a skill of breaking things down and questioning each element. Of course usually we only report the bits which we think will be interesting for our reader.

[Riaz Ahmed Alizai]

Writing a critical paper requires two steps: critical reading and critical writing.


Critical reading:

Identify the author's thesis and purpose
Analyze the structure of the passage by identifying all main ideas
Consult a dictionary or encyclopedia to understand material that is unfamiliar to you
Make an outline of the work or write a description of it
Write a summary of the work
Determine the purpose which could be
To inform with factual material
To persuade with appeal to reason or emotions
To entertain (to affect people's emotions)
Evaluate the means by which the author has accomplished his purpose

After the passage under analysis has been carefully studied, the critique can be drafted using this sample outline.

I. Background information to help your readers understand the nature of the work
A. Information about the work
1. Title
2. Author
3. Publication information
4. Statement of topic and purpose
B. Thesis statement indicating writer's main reaction to the work
II. Summary or description of the work
III. Interpretation and/or evaluation
A. Discussion of the work's organization
B. Discussion of the work's style
C. Effectiveness
D. Discussion of the topic's treatment
E. Discussion of appeal to a particular audience

[Riaz Ahmed Alizai]

Remember:

Avoid introducing your ideas by stating "I think" or "in my opinion." Keep the focus on the subject of your analysis, not on yourself. Identifying your opinions weakens them.

Always introduce the work. Do not assume that because your reader knows what you are writing about, you do not need to mention the work's title.

Other questions to consider: Is there a controversy surrounding either the passage or the subject which it concerns?

What about the subject matter is of current interest?

What is the overall value of the passage?

What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Support your thesis with detailed evidence from the text examined. Do not forget to document quotes and paraphrases.

Remember that the purpose of a critical analysis is not merely to inform, but also to evaluate the worth, utility, excellence, distinction, truth, validity, beauty, or goodness of something.

Even though as a writer you set the standards, you should be open-minded, well informed, and fair. You can express your opinions, but you should also back them up with evidence.

Your review should provide information, interpretation, and evaluation. The information will help your reader understand the nature of the work under analysis. The interpretation will explain the meaning of the work, therefore requiring your correct understanding of it. The evaluation will discuss your opinions of the work and present valid justification for them.