How to Write an Article Review
A 7-step guide to summarize, evaluate, and critique any academic or journal article.
Get Article Review HelpYour professor assigns a dense, 20-page journal article and asks for a “review” or “critique.” It’s easy to get lost in the jargon. You may just summarize it or state if you “liked” it.
An article review is a common assignment that combines summary with critical evaluation. It’s a foundational skill for engaging with academic writing and research.
This guide is your foundational resource. We cover the “what” (the definition of a review) and the “how” (the writing process). You’ll learn the skills of critical thinking and analysis needed to write an effective critique.
What is an Article Review?
An article review (or article critique) is an academic paper that summarizes and evaluates another author’s work (usually a peer-reviewed journal article). It is a form of critical analysis that assesses the article’s argument, evidence, methodology, and contribution to its field.
Article Review vs. Summary
This is an important distinction. A summary only restates what the article *says*. A review evaluates *how well* it says it.
| Summary (The “What”) | Article Review (The “How Well”) |
|---|---|
| Goal: Restate the main points. | Goal: Evaluate the main points. |
| Answers: “What is the article about?” | Answers: “How strong is the article’s argument?” |
| Example: “The author argues that new software improves productivity.” | Example: “The author’s claim that new software improves productivity is unconvincing because it relies on a small, biased sample.” |
Article Review vs. Literature Review
These two assignments are also different:
- Article Review: Analyzes one single article in depth.
- Literature Review: Synthesizes many articles to give an overview of a topic.
The Goal: A Balanced Evaluation
Your job is to analyze the article’s strengths and weaknesses and judge its value. Your goal is to make an argument. As this guide on thesis statements explains, this argument is your thesis.
Key Evaluation Criteria
Before writing, analyze the article. Use these criteria to form your judgment.
1. Argument and Thesis
Is the author’s central argument (thesis) clear, specific, and original? Does the article clearly state its purpose or research question? Is the argument consistent?
2. Evidence and Data
How does the author support the thesis?
- Credibility: Is the evidence from credible sources? Is it recent?
- Sufficiency: Is there *enough* evidence to be convincing?
- Relevance: Does the evidence actually support the claim?
3. Methodology (For Research Articles)
This is key for scientific or social science articles.
- Method: What method did the author use (e.g., survey, experiment, case study)? Was this method appropriate?
- Sample Size: Was the sample size large and diverse enough?
- Data Analysis: Is the data analyzed correctly?
4. Contribution and Significance
Does this article make a new, useful contribution to its field? Does it fill a gap in the research? Does it advance the conversation, or just repeat old ideas?
5. Clarity and Organization
Is the article well-written? Is the structure logical? Is the language clear, or is it filled with confusing jargon?
How to Write an Article Review (7-Step Process)
Follow this 7-step writing process.
Step 1: Read the Article Actively
Read the article multiple times. As 2024 research on this topic shows, effective review requires “a structured and critical approach to reading.”
- First Pass (Skim): Read the abstract, introduction, and conclusion to get the main idea.
- Second Pass (Read & Annotate): Read with a pen. Highlight the thesis, main supporting points, and key evidence. Write questions and comments in the margins.
Step 2: Summarize the Article
In your own words, write a brief, objective summary of the article. This proves you understand the article. Identify:
- The author’s research question or purpose.
- The author’s main argument (thesis).
- The key evidence or methods used.
- The author’s conclusion.
Step 3: Identify Strengths
Using the evaluation criteria, what does the article do well? Is the argument clear? Is the evidence compelling? Does it offer a new perspective?
Step 4: Identify Weaknesses
Where does the article fail? Is the evidence weak or biased? Are there logical fallacies? Does the conclusion overreach the data?
Step 5: Formulate Your Thesis Statement
Your thesis is your overall judgment. It should combine your points from Steps 3 and 4 into a single, arguable claim.
- Weak Thesis: “This article is about business management.” (A fact, not a thesis).
- Strong Thesis: “While the author correctly identifies a gap in management research, their proposed solution is unworkable because it relies on flawed data and ignores real-world budget constraints.”
Need more help? See our guide on how to write a thesis statement.
Step 6: Create Your Outline
A standard article review outline provides a clear, logical structure. (See the template below.)
Step 7: Write the Draft and Revise
Write your review based on the outline.
- Balance: Ensure your paper is mostly analysis, not summary.
- Tone: Maintain a formal, objective, and academic tone.
- Revise: Check that your argument is clear and every claim is supported by evidence from the article.
- Edit: Check for grammar, clarity, and correct citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
Article Review Outline Template
Use this template to structure your review.
I. Introduction
- Bibliographic Info: Start with the full citation of the article.
- Context: Introduce the article’s topic and author.
- Author’s Thesis: State the article’s main argument.
- Your Thesis: State your overall judgment of the article.
II. Summary of the Article
- [One brief paragraph summarizing the article’s purpose, methods, and conclusion. Be objective.]
III. Critique 1 (e.g., Strength)
- Topic Sentence: State the article’s first major strength (e.g., “The article’s primary strength is its innovative methodology…”).
- Evidence: Quote or paraphrase from the article to show this strength.
- Analysis: Explain *why* this is a strength and *how* it helps the author’s argument.
IV. Critique 2 (e.g., Weakness)
- Topic Sentence: State the article’s first major weakness (e.g., “However, the author’s argument is undermined by a small sample size…”).
- Evidence: Quote or describe this weakness.
- Analysis: Explain *why* this is a weakness and *how* it detracts from the article’s validity.
V. Critique 3 (e.g., Contribution)
- Topic Sentence: Evaluate another key point (e.g., “The article also fails to address…”).
- Evidence: Provide a final example.
- Analysis: Explain your evaluation.
VI. Conclusion
- Restate Your Thesis: Remind the reader of your overall judgment.
- Synthesize: Briefly summarize your main points (the strengths and weaknesses).
- Significance: End with a “so what?”—a final statement on the article’s overall contribution to the field.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid these common mistakes:
Too Much Summary
The #1 mistake. Your professor wants your *analysis*, not a summary. Keep the summary to one paragraph.
Vague Opinions (“I liked it”)
Avoid “I think” or “I feel.” Ground your claims in evidence. Instead of “I thought the data was bad,” write “The data is flawed because the sample size is too small…”
Being Only Negative
A “critique” is not just “criticism.” A good review is balanced. Give credit for the article’s strengths as well as its weaknesses.
Unclear Thesis
The reader should know your overall judgment from the introduction. Your thesis must be a clear, arguable claim.
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