Question by jd: how to write a critical analysis essay of a short story?
I have to write on one of the following: Pickney Benedict’s “Town Smokes”, Bharati Mukherjee’s “The Management of Grief”. or Isaac Bashevis Singer’s “The Lecture”

I’ve never written a critical analysis and I’m not the best writer, so pointers would help.

Best answer:

Answer by Stacey Hawking
Critical essay must include analysis of the book in question.
The analysis must contain brief explanation of the author’s main idea, point of view, facts the author uses to support his/her idea and action plan or suggestion in the book, if any.
The second step of the analysis is to evaluate the data the author uses in terms of reliability, plausibility and explications.
Critical essay must be informative, so as to put emphasis not on the subjective feelings, but on the facts, structure, and the way the literal text works.
Criticism here is a means of analysis, but not the way to criticize by saying that something in the book is bad.
Any idea and any claim must be supported with evidence, and the most useful and easiest way to provide it is citation of the literal work.
When choosing a topic for a critical essay, do not try to write about everything, or you will simply get overwhelmed by the amount of material you have to fit into the limits of your essay. Thus, it is better to choose one aspect of the book under analysis and focus on it.
Remember to proofread your essay to eliminate all typos and mistakes, stick to the format and provide a well-structured list of references.
http://www.writemypapers.org/tips-and-prompts/how-to-write-a-critical-essay.html
http://www.essay-writing-tips.com/types-of-essays/critical-essay.html

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