Ask Four Basic Questions as You Read / Listen:
What is the book/message about as a whole?
What is the author/speaker saying in detail, and how is it said?
Is the book/message true, in whole or in part?
What is the significance of the book/message?
ELEMENTS OF A CRITICAL PAPER
The following is a general structure to follow for the body of a critical paper. Be sure to include a suitable introduction and conclusion, as described in the previous section, How to Write a Whole Composition.
Adapt it to specific assignments as appropriate.
PART ONE: DESCRIPTION
Classify the book/message according to kind and subject matter.
Very briefly, state what the whole of the book/message is about.
Enumerate the major parts of the book/message in their order and relation.
Define the problem or problems that the author/speaker is trying to solve.