What is an Article Review and How One is Written
An article review is a written evaluation of a particular work. It takes the form of an essay. It is
done after careful reading, note-taking and analysis of what the author is trying to say. Your
review’s length may vary according to the article’s size. Generally, two typed pages (12 fonts
double-spaced) per article will suffice. Article Reviews are to be submitted in Blackboard. To
submit the Reviews, go to the relevant week in Canvas (be guided by the syllabus), and the link
will be available for the Review to be uploaded. Note that both your review and the article that was
reviewed are to be uploaded.
The review consists of four main parts that are placed in continuous narrative.
A. Description of the work
One or two paragraphs describing the work’s physical structure and any information about the
author you may have discovered. The title and date of publication of the article, the name(s) of the
author(s) and the name of the magazine/journal in which the article was published must be
included in your description. Feel free to state whether the article is part of a series or any other
information you may think is relevant.
B. Statements of author’s goals:
The author will state what he or she is trying to accomplish somewhere at the outset, either in the
article’s preface or in its introduction. In your own words, or paraphrasing the author, state the
objective(s) of the article (one or two paragraphs).
C. Your verdict:
Did the author achieve the goals? Or, were some achieved but not all? Were the conclusions valid,
or can you show when he or she hedged the point? If the answer is “yes” show why and use
examples from the text to bolster your praise. If the answer is “no” do the same thing to back your
claim. Remember, you should not praise or condemn without evidence.
D. Your Opinion of the whole Work:
Did you like the article? Use examples to bolster your statements.
Proofread your work before turning it in and watch your spelling. Again, a copy of the article that
was reviewed must be submitted along with your review.
5
Writing Rubric
Demonstrates
Emerging
College-
Level Writing
1
Demonstrates
Satisfactory
College-
Level Writing
2
Demonstrates
Proficient
College-
Level Writing
3
Demonstrates
Exemplary
College-Level
Writing
4
Addresses
purpose and
audience
Wavers in
purpose.
Incompletely
addresses
assigned topic
or directions.
Shows need for
more study of
issues.
Style uneven
Adheres to
purpose, fulfills
assignment.
Shows adequate
understanding
of key issues.
Style generally
appropriate to
intended
audience.
Communicates
purpose
clearly.
Shows full
understanding
of
issues.
Style
consistently
effective
for intended
audience.
Communicates
purpose with
sophistication.
Beyond
understanding
of
issues, shows
insight.
Style engages
audience,
establishes
writer’s
credibility.
Demonstrates
Emerging
College-
Level Writing
1
Demonstrates
Satisfactory
College-
Level Writing
2
Demonstrates
Proficient
College-
Level Writing
3
Demonstrates
Exemplary
College-Level
Writing
4
Demonstrates
effective
organization of
content
Loose focus on
central idea.
Contains some
repetition and
digression.
Paragraph
structure weak.
Central ideas
evident.
Paragraph
structure
sometimes
supports
content.
Consistency,
logic and
transitions
show some
weaknesses.
Central idea
clear.
Paragraph
structure
uniformly
supports
content.
Consistency,
logic and
transitions well
managed.
Central idea
clear.
Paragraph
structure
consistently and
effectively
supports
content.
Clear logic and
effective
transitions.
