Three Faces of a Critique

• Oral presentation critique• Critique of an academic paper• Critique of a building

Critique of a presentation

What features can be critiqued?

Critique of an academic paper

What aspects can be critiqued?

Writing an academic critique

For example: book, journal article etc• Introduction

• Body: 1/3 Summary 2/3 Critique

• Conclusion

Introduction to an academic critique

A short paragraph which mentions:• The author(s) and the title• The topic of the text. • The aim of the text and the key argument.• a brief evaluative statement of the text. (This can be a positive or negative evaluation or,

as is usually the case, a mixed response).

The Body

1/3 Summary :

How can you possibly summarise a whole book into a paragraph or two?

The Body

• 2/3 critique:- a balanced evaluation of the

strengths, weaknesses and notable features of the text

- based on specific criteria

(Good reviews also include other sources to support your evaluation)

The Conclusion

• This is usually a very short paragraph.

• Restate your overall opinion of the text. • If necessary some further qualification or

explanation of your judgment can be included. This can help your critique sound fair and reasonable.

Critique of a building

What aspects can be critiqued?

IntroductionContextSiteFeaturesEvaluation both positive and negativeIts architectural significanceOther features?

Critiquing a Building

Examples:

Edward Suzuki: Buildings and Projects

http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199607&article=4&typeon=1&highlight=reviews#page1

Heroic Melbourne: Architecture of the 1950’shttp://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199605&article=6&typeon=6&typeo

Two examples

• Lowy Cancer Research Centrehttp://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=201005&article=11&typeo

• UNSW LAWhttp://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=200707&article=14&typeo