AEP  10  ASSIGNMENTS
 

1.  English as an Asian Language  >>
     This is a magazine article on teaching English in Asia by Andy Kirkpatrick

2.  Articles on English as a Global Language  >>

3.  Notes on SCR Article " Future Directions of English......."
      by Andy Kirkpatrick  >>

4.  Definition Linguistic Imperialism  >>
     Definition of Lingua Franca   >>

 

1.   Types of Articles Suitable for LCR  >>

2. Notes on How to Write Critical Review >>

3.  Models for Positive & Negative Criticism  >>
     More Models for Positive & Negative Criticism  >>

4.  Presentation Techniques for LCR  >>
 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
How to Read Critically
1.   Look at the Thesis. Does the author prove his thesis? do the main arguments
      support the thesis?  How well is the thesis/main idea developed in the article?
2.   Does the article give some interesting, valuable, informative,
      new insight into the topic?  How? Why? are the ideas relevant to the current
      knowledge/situation of this field of study/
3.   Is he objective? - presents several different points of view and scholarly research
      to support his claims
4.   Look for the main arguments and the support / evidence the author gives for
      each argument.
 

• Are the arguments/points sequenced according to his outline stated in the thesis
• Are they logical?  Do any examples clearly support the argument?
• Are they biased?  only presents evidence for one side of argument?
• Are they too subjective, based only limited personal experience?
• Are other well known authors views given to support authors?
• Over generalization, too small a sample to make a general conclusion?
• Are there other possible causes for the effect/result/outcome he states?
• Are there assumptions in his arguments. Implied meaning? are they valid?

• Are any recommendations or suggestions given? are they relevant to the
   thesis/topic/general context of this topic?  in what way?

Writing The Critical Paragraph
Negative Criticism
Note:  each claim/point of the author that you criticise is one paragraph

1.  Name/ identify the Critical point:  what it is and what is wrong
     eg the evidence used to support his claim is subjective
2.  State author's point and context in the article,  i.e. what is the claim
    the author is making, how is this related to thesis/section of article
3.  Quote or paraphrase the actual actual evidence ( argument, evidence, example)
    from the text. be clear, concise but complete, so the reader understands this.
4. Analysis: The most important part   Explain why you think the point is biased,
    generalization, subjective, lacks evidence, poor evidence, etc. Your reason
     can relate to i)  the authors claim or support for claim and what the author has
    stated in other parts of article,    and
    ii)   what you know about this topic or the wider topic in or outside  article

5.  Finally give a specific suggestion on how the critcal point may be bettered
      or corrected

  Positive Critical Points
1.  Name the  idea(s) that you want to say something positive about .
     dont be too general  eg. "the subject matter is interesting"
     rather "he present a thought provoking analysis of the English Language Teaching
     in the Asian context"    "His analysis of the value of Nnest's in teaching
     in the Asian Context appear to have some validity"
2.  Quote and paraphrase the authors key points in relation to
     what you identified above, that you wish to comment on
3.  Analysis:  Comment on them ; why is it thought provoking- reference your reason to
   a) what the author said in the article,  and
   b) what you know about the topic/idea/claim, from your
        knowledge, personal experience and reading, in both the specific focus
        of article and the more general topic
see Examples of Critical Analysis  >>
                                             also  >>
 

PRESENTATION  TECHNIQUES
oht's
1.  Prepare an Outline of Whole presentation

2.   Prepare a Summary in Point form
        Keep it Clear, simple and brief

3.   Prepare oht of each Critical point
      each oht should have  i) Identify the Critical Point and Authors argument
                                    ii) Summarize or quote from your article the evidence
                                       or  point you are criticising.   keep it short!
                                   iii)  Summarize your Analysis (+ suggestion if appropriate)

 

  FINDING ARTICLES FOR CRITICAL REVIEW

First, Pick an Interesting Topic, then perform a Search 

a.  Look at the thesis statement in the Abstract or Introduction
     It should express an OPINION
     Is it:   Making a Suggestion?  Arguing a point?   Building a Case?
     Advocating an idea?
     Look for Thesis Verbs such as "argue, suggest,  advocate, proposes
 

Articles which are simply explaining, reviewing, describing,
discussing both sides, or reporting results of research etc.
will not be very suitable 
b.  Is the Topic fairly easy to follow?  Can you understand it?
     Is the topic potentially controversial?
    On a subject with which you are familiar
    and/or  is interesting and informative?
    Doesn't have too much difficult vocabulary or expressions?

c.  Is the Article about 3 to 6 pages long (2500 - 3500 words) ?

d.  Do you like the Article?  Does it contain a Bibliography?

If you answered YES to all these Questions, then you have the right article

IF YOU CAN'T FIND AN ARTICLE, LOOK AT MY LIST OF ARTICLES  >>