Concepts of Critical Analysis
Definitions of Topic, Thesis, Purpose, & Point of View
Effective critical analysis is dependent on one's understanding of the terms topic,thesis, purpose, and point of view. These terms overlap in meaning and are sometimes used interchangeably. Despite their similarities, each can be defined differently.
Topic
The topic is the subject of a written piece. Abraham Lincoln, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement are examples of broad topics. They are broad because more narrow topics are contained within them. For example, the topic “Abraham Lincoln” can be narrowed to “Abraham Lincoln's reasons for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Thesis
An author's thesis is his focus or controlling idea about the selected, narrowed topic. The thesis represents an author's informed opinion about the subject. An author writing about Lincoln's reasons for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation may formulate a thesis focusing on Lincoln's humanitarian motives, whereas another author might focus on Lincoln's political reasons.
Purpose
Thesis and purpose are closely related and frequently used to refer to the same thing. However, an author's purpose in writing is not necessarily as focused as the thesis. The purpose can be as mundane as “to publish” or as scholarly as “to balance history's assessment of an event or an individual.” The writer's style of writing and his intended audience are useful in determining purpose.
Point of View
An author's point of view is his fundamental attitude about the topic. This closely aligns point of view to the thesis, and in some cases, the purpose for writing. Point of view can be determined by a writer's word choice, tone, assumptions, interpretations, what information he includes, and what he leaves out.
Tips for Understanding Audience, Purpose, & Point of View
Written by Maple Woods Community College Writing Center staff, 1999. Information in this handout was based in part from the following:How to Determine an Author's Intended Audience
Diction: The author's choice of words establishes audience & his presence in the
writing.
1. Does he use emotionally-charged or logical, emotionless words?
2. If emotionally-charged words are used, do they show bias? Racial, religious, or gender stereotypes indicate bias, but bias can be present without them.
3. Does he use a lot of technical, professional, or specialized vocabulary?Tone: The author's feelings and opinions about his subject & audience.
1. Formal writing uses 3rd person to introduce impersonal, specialized word
choices & ideas. The author is removed from the reader.
2. Informal writing is personal, using 1st or 2nd person to convey ideas, feelings, opinions, and information. The author establishes a connection with the reader.
3. Irony presents the incongruities between what actually is and what is expected; e.g., a man dies in a blizzard while searching frantically for his young son--only the son arrives safely at home soon after the father leaves to find him.
4. Sarcasm states one thing while meaning something else. Sarcasm is usually acrimonious and judgmental.
5. Humor: Calls attention to the ludicrous, incongruous, amusing or comical aspects of something.Assumption: The author's unstated proposals or suppositions. The author presumes
some things as evident. Ask yourself what the author is leaving unsaid.Style refers to the way a writer writes. Is the author writing formally or informally?
Is he using slang, colloquialisms, specialized or technical terms? Does he present himself as scholarly? Business-like? Authoritative? Friendly?
How to Determine the Author's Purpose
First, ask yourself why a book or article may have been written. The author's style is a clue.
1. Narrative: Is the author telling a story?
2. Argumentative: Is the author arguing for or against something? Is he trying to persuade? Is he calling for action on the reader's part?
3. Expository: Is the writer trying to explain or inform? Is the author offering his opinion about the topic?Second, question the writing's destination. Is it for a scholarly journal? A newspaper? A tabloid? A college text book? The intended audience is a clue to the author's purpose.
How to Determine the Author's Point of View
To determine point of view, ask yourself if the author interprets or comments on the evidence he presents or allows the material to speak for itself. Does he appeal to the reader's intellect or to his emotions? Are biases directly stated or subtle?Question the author's reasons for his point of view. What larger principles are represented? Does the author defend or attempt to apply certain values to the topic?
Based on his diction, tone, and assumptions, what inferences could you make about his point of view? Could the evidence be interpreted in ways other than the author's?
Clegg , Cynthia Susan. Critical Reading & Writing
Across the Disciplines. New York: Holt Rinehart,
1988.
Grinals, Anne Bradstreet. Critical Thinking:
Reading & Writing Across the Curriculum. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth, Inc., 1988.
Spatt, Brenda. Writing from Sources.
New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991.
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