Critique Essay
150 pts.
Description: 2-3 page critique of an essay in WRAC, plus MLA-format Works Cited page
Skills:
Identifying how an author uses language, reasoning, and evidence to achieve a
purpose for a particular audience
Final Draft Due: Monday, September 30, 2013
Source:
“An Introduction to Fairy Tales” by Maria Tatar (pages 306-313)
Assignment: This assignment asks that, in order to reach a better understanding of Tatar’s
essay, ”An Introduction to Fairy Tales,” you analyze how Tatar uses language, reasoning, and
evidence to make an argument and achieve a purpose for a particular audience.
Strategies:
 Provide a brief summary of the article, including an explanation of Tatar’s main claim.
 Once you have determined what Tatar is arguing, use WA’s sections on “The Method,”
“Uncovering the Assumptions,” “Pitch, Complaint, Moment,” and “Rhetorical Analysis”
to analyze how the author goes about doing so and what his or her purpose is for writing.
 Think about why the essay argues its point in this particular way. What would change if
Tatar had used different evidence, style, or words in making his or her case?
 Remember, your objective is to give your reader a better understanding of the essay, not
to persuade him/her toward a certain way of thinking or course of action.
Criteria for Evaluation:
 Brief summary/explanation of the main claim of the essay which could be
understood by someone unfamiliar with it.
 Focused basis for Critique: Analyzes evidence from the essay in order to
show how the essay supports its argument, and explores the significance
of this evidence.
 Logical flow of ideas in well-developed paragraphs with transitions.
 Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and MLA citation.
Total:
50 pts.
50
25
25
150 pts.
Cinderella Unit & Critique
Essay Due Dates

For Thursday, September 12, 2013, reread Chapter 3 “Analysis: What It Is and What It Does” in
WA (pages 53-84).

For Monday, September 16, 2013, read (and complete double-entry journal) “An Introduction to
Fairy Tales” by Maria Tatar (pages 306-313) in WRAC and pages 91-101 in WA.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2013 STAGE 1: NOTINGS AND JOTTINGS is due. You also
have read “ Walt Disney’s “Cinderella” adapted by Campbell Grant (pages 270-272) in WRAC,
“Cinderella” by Charles Perrault (pages 273-277) in WRAC, and the Grimm’s Cinderella handout.
Complete double-entry journal for each.

For Friday, September 20, 2013, read “The Rise of Perrault’s ‘Cinderella’” by Bonnie Cullen
(pages 318-323) in WRAC

On Tuesday, September 26, 2013, STAGE 2: ROUGH DRAFT OF YOUR CRITIQUE ESSAY
is due. We will complete peer review during class.

For Thursday, September 26, 2013, read “’Cinderella’: A Story of Sibling Rivalry and Oedipal
Conflicts” by Bruno Bettelheim (pages 277-284) in WRAC. Complete double-entry journal.

On Monday, September 30, 2013, STAGE 3: FINAL DRAFT OF YOUR CRITIQUE ESSAY is
due.