An Ideas Critique is a type of strong response that focuses on the ideas at stake in the text. In an ideas critique, you view the text as a voice in a conversation – one perspective on an issue or one solution to a problem or a question. Based on your critical thinking, personal experiences, and research, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the writer’s thesis (main claim)? A with-the-grain reading of a text would support all or some of the text’s ideas, while also supplying additional evidence or extending the argument, perhaps applying it in a new context. An againstthe-grain reading would challenge the writer’s ideas, point out holes in the writer’s thinking, and provide counterexamples and rebuttals. You might agree with some ideas and disagree with others in the text. In any case, in an ideas critique, you speak back to text by examining how the author’s ideas mesh or conflict with your own.
Guidelines:
 Read and critique the article, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond” by Klaus Schwab.
 Include at least 2 ideas critique points (SEE Question-Asking Strategies for Writing an Ideas Critique below.)
 Integrate a short summary of the article smoothly into your ideas critique. Your summary
should be about 150-250 words (provide word count at the end of summary).
 Because you are taking a part in the academic discussion, write from the first person perspective
 Length: 1,200-1,500 words (provide word count at the end of the essay)
 MLA format & structure
 25% of your final grade Organizational Structure:
1. Introduction – Introduce the reading being critiqued and the author. State the author’s main argument. Show your investment in the subject/issue of the reading. Provide background material to help your readers understand the relevance or appeal of the reading. The background material might include one or more of the following: an explanation of why the subject is of current interest, a reference to a possible controversy surrounding the subject of the reading or the reading itself, biographical information about the author, an account of the circumstances under which the passage was written, or a reference to the intended audience of the passage.

2. Summary – One paragraph (length: 150-250 words); summarize the reading’s main points; be sure to state the author’s purpose for writing
3. Thesis Statement – In a separate paragraph of its own; focus on at least 2 ideas critique strategies
4. Body/Analysis Paragraphs – Develop and support the ideas critique points you
presented in your thesis, in the same order; multiple paragraphs; where necessary, draw
upon outside sources to support your ideas
5. Conclusion – Bring the essay to a close, perhaps revisit the ideas you presented in your
thesis, or tie back to your introduction; try to end on a memorable note.
Reminder: Question-Asking Strategies for Writing an Ideas Critique:
 Where do I agree with this author? (with-the-grain)
 Where do I disagree with this author? (against-the-grain)
 What new questions has the text raised? (with- or against-the-grain)
Important Dates:
 Writing Conferences for Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence Outline
 Due: before 48 hours before conference time on YSCEC
 Writing Conferences: October 1 – October 11
 1st Drafts
 Due: Upload to YSCEC Submissions folder AND Peer Review Group folder before class on YSCEC, Wed. Oct. 16th
.
 Late 1st drafts will result in point deduction
 Bring computers to class for peer review
 Peer Review: Wed, Oct 16th & Fri, Oct 18th
 Your Memoed Feedback on Your Peers’ 1st Drafts
 Due: Fri, Oct 18th, before class
 Upload back to your Peer Review Group Folder
 Bring your computers to Friday’s class to orally discuss one another’s feedback.
 Late Peer Feedback will result in point deductions
 Final Draft
 Due: on YSCEC, Wed, Oct. 23rd , before class
 Revision Reflection and Assess Your Peer Reviewers
 Will be completed during exam week on Wed, Oct 23rd during our scheduled exam time.