Article Review

PAA 601: Article Review
Purpose:
The purpose of a review of a work (book or article) is generally to let readers know what the work is about and what its merits are so that readers can decide whether they want to read the work. Because the readers of a review probably have not read the work under discussion, you must describe the work and evaluate it.
For a critique or critical review, readers may have read the work; therefore, you need to give less attention to description and summary but more attention to evaluation.
Content of the Review or Critique:
All reviews should (1) identify the work and the author, (2) include a summary of the work, and (3) include an evaluation. A review or critique may include some or all of the following:
1. An abstract, summary, or synopsis to summarize the essential contents and main ideas. This section is usually more detailed in a review than in a critique or critical review;
2. A statement or thorough discussion of the author’s thesis (main underlying idea), purpose, and methods of development;
3. A brief biographical sketch of the intellectual life of the author, linking the work under discussion to the author’s other works;
4. A discussion of the relationship between the work being reviewed and other works in the field;
5. Your evaluation of the work, clearly presented and well-supported;
6. Selected short quotations from the work that are representative of the theme, tone, and style.
Organization:
The following structure is simply a recommendation, but it does contain the normal elements of a history book review.
Original Title
Your title is not the same as the title of the work under discussion but may include the work’s title. Do not italicize or write quotation marks around your own title; however, do italicize the titles of books and periodicals and place quotation marks around article titles. Try to make the title interesting so the reader will want to read your review.
EXAMPLE: Fighting the Good Fight, A Critical Review of John Shy’s A People Numerous and Armed
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
1. Include one or more general statements that give a quick indication of the work’s contents and your reaction to it.
2. Include your thesis statement-your main argument which is the focus of the review. This will normally be a critique of the book in its broadest sense. Is the article worthwhile for others to read? Why or why not?
Body/Supporting Paragraphs
In general there will be at least one paragraph of summary and at least one paragraph of evaluation.
1. In your summary paragraph, include all the significant points of the work, including the points the author emphasizes.
2. Explain the purpose of the work and the author’s background and methodology.
3. Present your critical evaluation, discussing both positive and negative features as appropriate. Support all your judgments with evidence from the work, paraphrasing and quoting excerpts. Is the thesis of the book well supported? Is the work thorough? fair? clear? convincing? significant? How does the work relate to other works in the field or to your general understanding of the subject? Is author’s use of evidence appropriate and on target? How broad are the sources used?
Conclusion/Ending Paragraph
Give an overall evaluation as the conclusion of what you have said so far. In a review, make a recommendation about the type of reader likely to enjoy or benefit from the work and include an indication of the work’s merit in the field.
Format
Your Article review should be between 3-4 pages double spaced with one inch margins and 12 point font in Times New Roman. It should include references formatted in accordance with the American Psychological Association (APA). References, title page, figures, or appendices should be included at the end of your paper and should not be included in the page count requirement noted above. Proofread your final copy carefully and make corrections.

Article Review Rubric

Components Highly Competent Competent Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Your Score
Identification of
Premise and
Supporting Points
(Argument) 20 points 15-20 points Includes accurate identification of article premise, significant points in support of the premise, and the significance of these to the course and/or field 10-14 points Includes accurate identification of article premise, importance to the course, significant points in support of the premise, and/or field, but one or more of them need improvement 5-9 points One of the following is missing or insufficiently analytical: accurate identification of article premise, importance to the course, significant points in support of the premise, and/or field 0-4 points More than one of the following are missing or insufficiently analytical: accurate identification of article premise, importance to the course, significant points in support of the premise, and/or field; those included need improvement
Application of
Analysis 20 points 15- 20 points Includes several analyses that relate the article to course content and real-life situations 10-14 points Includes some analyses that
relate the article to
course content and real-life situations 5-9 points Includes few analytical statements that relate the article to course content and real-life situations 0-4 points Includes general opinionated statements that are unrelated to the course content and real-life and/or are substantiated.
Critical
Evaluation of premise and supporting points
(argument) 30 points 15-20 points
Includes critical thinking that clearly states the student’s informed and substantiated opinion, thorough evaluation of the article’s premise, and supporting points 10-14 points
Includes critical thinking that clearly states the student’s opinion and some evaluation of the article’s premise and/or arguments but overlooks some points 5-9 points
Student’s opinion of the article is stated, along with critical evaluation
of the article’s premise and/or argument, but some significant points are overlooked 0-4 points
Student’s opinion of the article is not clear; critical thinking is not evident
APA Formatting 10 points 9-10 points Documents sources using APA formatting accurately and consistently 6-8 points Documents sources using APA formatting
with
minor violations 3-5 points Reflects incomplete knowledge of
APA formatting. 0-2 points
Uses little to no correct APA formatting
Writing
Mechanics
10 points 9-10 points Writing is clear and concise.
Sentence structure and grammar are excellent. Correct use of punctuation. No spelling errors. 6-8 points Writing is mostly clear and concise. Sentence structure and grammar are strong and mostly correct. Few minor errors in punctuation and/or spelling. 3-5 points Writing lacks clarity or conciseness. Minor problems with sentence
structure and some grammatical errors. Several minor errors in punctuation and spelling. 0-2 points Writing lacks clarity and conciseness. Serious problems with sentence structure and grammar. Numerous major and/or minor errors in punctuation and spelling.

Organization 10 points 9-10 points The organization results in clarity and presents logically arranged points 6-8 points The overall arrangement is logical but can occasionally be
difficult to follow 3-5 points
Arrangement is less than clear, or organization is clear but there are some digressions 0-2 points Arrangement is haphazard and
difficult to follow; paper strays substantially from
topic
Total