Critical Essays - Their Styles and Effective Components

Most post-graduate majors will have to write a critical essay at some point. Here, we discuss the models of critical essays and the major components of a well written essay.

Critical Essay Models

The analytic model is a classic essay style typically used in art, science, history, psychology, education, and most other disciplines across the curriculum.  The essay explores and investigates an idea, process, person, action, or attitude.

The argumentative model is generally used in more advanced English classes, such as  philosophy, and for courses focussing on theory.

The comparative/contrastive model of a critical essay is used in courses where specific analysis of like and unlike elements, characters, and ideas lend themselves to comparison.

T he definitional model is a critical essay that applies a thorough study to a topic, particularly an abstract one.

A descriptive essay is a model used to concretely cover an idea, item, or subject.

The evaluative critical essay is often confused with analytical essay. The evaluative essay moves beyond the "what" and "how" to the "how much."  In other words, a value is placed on the topic.

The explanatory essay -- also called the expository essay -- furthers our readers' understanding of the subject.

The personal essay, also known as the response essay,  is an informal style that includes entertaining narrative.

While most critical essay types will include references or will quote authorities, the research essay is mostly informational, comparing researched statistics and facts against the findings of others.  

The Components of Great Critical Essays

Essays at the college level are really “critical” in nature.  Critical in this case means to discern.

Your critical essay should "discern" a given topic or issue (generally controversial).  In your essay, you will incorporate your thesis and supportive ideas and details. A well written critical essay includes four essential components:

Part 1 - An engaging opener that interests your reader. Use a story, a fact, an extended definition, a quote, or a direct address, where appropriate. Your opening should fits the tone of your critical essay.

Part 2 - A thesis in which you asset your position. This is the overall opinion that summarizes your supportive data.

Part 3 - Supportive data, including statistics, narrative/non-fiction examples, statistics, authoritative (and respectable) quotes, analogies (relevant and apt), and other elements that help to “prove” your position. In the case of critical essays based on literature or other works of art, this will also include what is called "textual evidence," meaning passages or quotes from the work you are describing. In an argumentative paper, this section will also likely include the opponent’s side, concessions, and refutations.

Part 4 - Good closure.   Wrap up your writing in the conclusion of the critical essay. Don’t introduce new examples in your closure.  A good closure will inspire readers to question their positions or challenge them to  take action.

Critical essays are generally a part of college coursework, but you may find that you will need to write them on a professional level, after college.

"Styles and Effective Writing of Critical Essays," contributed by Tim Morrison