Critical analysis - how to do it in three steps
You need to be more critical.
Your analysis was descriptive rather than critical.
Your critical analytical skills need some work.
Sound familiar? The “You need to be more critical” feedback is something most students will come across at some point in their studies.
If you want to be more critical, you’ve got to DIE.
Not literally! It’s a grim acronym! And it stands for Describe, Interpret and Evaluate. Here are some key questions you need as for each of these stages.
(1) Describe
What key arguments is the author making?
What are they claiming to be true?
What are they arguing for?
What are they arguing against?
How does the author support their arguments?
Where does this work sit in relation to the other academic literature in this area?
In terms of debates, controversies, perspectives, bodies of theory, where is it positioned?
Who does it ‘hang out’ with?
What perspectives does it support?
What does it challenge?
(2) Interpret
What are the meanings and the implications of what you’re analyzing?
To whom or what can these arguments be applied?
To whom or what can’t the arguments be applied?
Who has it considered?
Who has it ignored?
Is it super relevant for some, but you’re left scratching your head about what it means for others?
How might your reading of the text be biased?
What’s your positionality?
What’s your theoretical take on this? Is that having an impact on how you’re reading it?
(3) Evaluate
What judgements have you formed about the value of this text?
How convincing is it?
Is it big fish or a little one? A leading actor, or playing a supporting role?
Does it do what it is claiming to do?
What does it contribute towards knowledge and understanding in this area?
What did it do that the stuff before it hadn’t?
Does the evidence it provided stand up to scrutiny?
Are the sources it drew upon valid and reliable?
What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Where would you rank it overall in terms of its usefulness for and relevance to your topic?
Step-by-step guide to critical analysis with literature review log sheet
My step-by-step 15-page PDF guide on how to critically analyse a piece of academic literature is now available to buy in my shop. Click on the image below to go straight there!
