Critical+Paper

Definition - a composition that offers analysis, interpretation, and/or evaluation of a text; takes the form of an argument
A critical paper usually starts off with an introduction paragraph that includes the thesis statement. The thesis statement is a set of ideas that will help focus what your paper is going to be about. The thesis statement is usually found at the end of the introduction paragraph and is three-pronged. The thesis statement will take the role of being the foundation for your paper. Also, your introduction paragraph should start out broad and as it goes along, it gets more specific.

After the introduction paragraph, the main body paragraphs follow. This is where all of your information will be placed. Writing in these paragraphs also includes parenthetical citations. Here is more about parenthetical citations: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/mlaparen.html

Finally, the conclusion is the final paragraph in the paper. This paragraph is where ideas should be wrapped up and last thoughts expressed. In some writing, the final sentence of the conclusion paragraph can be the thesis statement.

Some notes from Lanouette's class that can probably help you: