Assignment:
Writing a Critical Review
Although I have written a great deal of papers, I have never written a critique of someone elses views on a particular piece of literature. I surmise that it must be type of report; unfortunately, my professors have not explained in detail what these are like.
I have three of this type of paper due next week: one is a two page paper regarding a single critique of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the second is a two page paper for British Literature based on one crtique ( I am thinking of doing Beowulf, or possibly something from Canterbury Tales), and the third and most complicated one is for my Chaucer course; this paper is to be approximately five pages long and must deal with three critical essays (all three essays must be about the same Tale and must have something in common).
I have begun my research (MLA International Biography) and have found several journal articles and have also checked out several books of Chaucer criticism. However, I do not know where to begin - this is not an argumentative paper, or even just my interpretation of the literature, so how do I develop my thesis? Also, how can I write this paper, insert my own opinion (as professors have required) without just repeating the critic's argument in my own words (especially if I agree with them?) The two shorter papers are from the same professor; he would also like me to explain if the critic is "engaged in a conversation with another critic" to explain what it's about and why. How can I do this in a fluid manner? I do not wish to sound like a book report! Also, I cannot seem to find, for example, three different critics arguing about the same issue, such as the Wife of Bath and feminism, so how can all find a common thread in essays that differ so much on this tale?
What I am asking for is some assistance in tackeling these three papers, as two are due Friday, November 18 and the other, longer paper is due on Monday, November 21. I need answers to the above questions and I would like instruction on how to write a critical essay, not on the literary work itself, but of someone else's critique of the literary work, and the more detailed your instruction is, the better. If there seems to be some type of standard formula to follow, and "what to do, and what not to do" type of information, please include it. Examples would also be helpful.
P.S. I know the basics of writing papers, i.e. quoting, bibliography, etc.