1. How to Write a Critical
Essay

2. What To Do First
• Read the question CAREFULLY!
• Underline the key parts of the question.
• Write this question down and decide which lines you
would underline. You should explain your reasons.
Choose a novel or short story which features a
relationship between two characters which is
confrontational or corrosive.
Describe how the relationship is portrayed and discuss
to what extent the nature of the relationship influences
your understanding of the text as a whole.

3. Now create Topic Sentences that will allow you to answer the question
in stages. You do this by thinking of as many points that relate to the
question as you can. These points should then be made into
statements that may incorporate a technique the writer uses. Here are
some examples:
• Kesey‟s use of characterisation allows the reader to clearly see why
Nurse Ratched and McMurphy don‟t like each other.
• There are several key scenes that show the confrontation between
the protagonists.
• The relationship between The Big Nurse and McMurphy helps the
reader to understand one of the novels key themes; Power vs.
Freedom
• It is only at the end of the novel that the reader fully understands the
true nature of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched‟s relationship and its
effect on the outcome.
Let‟s try this task in groups using a different question.

4. Introduction
You should always have the following in
your introduction:
• The author
• Title of text
• Summary of what the texts is about
• Mention specific techniques used to
create a specific affect/feeling that is
mentioned in the question.

5. Example Introduction:
A novel in which a confrontational relationship between two
characters is featured is Ken Kesey‟s “One Flew Over the
Cuckoo‟s Nest” which takes place in a mental hospital in
Oregon, USA. The conflict between the protagonists, R.P.
McMurphy and Nurse Ratched, arises from the
fundamental and unavoidable fact that they believe in and
represent opposing moral views. Kesey, who drew from his
own experiences of psychedelic drugs and working as a
nurse aide, has conflict at the center of his character
development. In turn this highlights the novel‟s main
themes which attack society‟s ideas of madness, freedom
and power.

6. Each Paragraph Must Have A
Structure
Each paragraph must:
• Have A Structure
• Start with a topic sentence
• Contain information about the text that is relevant to
your topic sentence.
• Explain the section of the text that is relevant (this
means that the reader will better understand why you
have chosen your quote)
• Quote to back up your point (use quotations that
show the author‟s techniques)
• Explain the quotation, commenting on the techniques
the author has used if relevant.

7. Example Paragraph Green = point/statement
Purple = evidence
Red = evaluation
R.P. McMurphy‟s exuberant entrance is a signal to the reader that he is unlike any of the
other patients and that he might be a problem for Nurse Ratched. His “brassy voice” and
unchecked laugh that rings out “free and loud” is in direct contrast to Nurse Ratched who
is instead portrayed as “precise, automatic” in her gestures. After McMurphy introduces
himself to the ward and makes his presence known Kesey begins to show us the nature
of their relationship:
“Mr. McMurry, I‟m sorry to interrupt you and Mr. Bromden, but you do understand:
everyone…must follow the rules.”
Nurse Ratched‟s words, at first glance, seem harmless, calm and even friendly
considering McMurphy‟s brash behaviour. Closer scrutiny reveals that she has thought
very carefully about what she wants to say and that her words are quietly malevolent.
She deliberately and continuously calls McMurphy “McMurry” in order to undermine him
and show that she doesn‟t care enough about him to remember his name correctly. She
also uses a patronising tone, reflected in her apology, “I‟m sorry to interrupt you.” She
utilises this tone with all of her patients and hopes to control McMurphy with it too. The
true message behind her words is revealed when the word “everyone” is stressed.
Kesey‟s subtle use of ellipses punctuates her message with a pause; McMurphy must
follow her rules without exception. As they both size “each other up” the reader sees
clearly that they are opposites. Nurse Ratched believes in control and restraint and
McMurphy believes in freedom and expression.

8. Your Conclusion does the
following:
• Leaves the reader in no doubt that you have
answered the question;
• Starts with a closing sentence like „In conclusion…‟
„Finally…‟ „It is clear after close analysis that…‟ „There
is no doubt that the author…‟
• Goes on to re-use the words of the question e.g. „In
conclusion, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck,
has a crucial turning point for the characters George
and Lennie and in turn this has a devastating impact
on the outcome of the novel.
• State again each of your topic sentences;
• Describe how the poem has changed your view or left
you with a particular feeling – BE POSITIVE

9. Example Conclusion
There can be no doubt that Ken Kesey‟s detailed, honest and scathing
characterisation of Nurse Ratched and R.P. McMurphy is a criticism of
society‟s treatment of mental illness during the 1950s. Nurse Ratched‟s
desire for order seeks to manipulate her patients and staff in order to
gain complete power. As the novel unfolds we begin to understand that
she is simply the human face for society. She is part of the system that
ultimately seeks to control everyone. McMurphy‟s unlikely Christ-like
character represents salvation and freedom. Their relationship is
confrontational from the beginning because they recognise the power
they each have. Kesey‟s final message is a warning to us all about
being complacent and passive in our lives. He wants to show us that
we need to have courage to live our lives in spite of how difficult things
may become.