Handout 3 - Writing the Critical Review

MANUSCRIPT FORMAT:

  • Critical Review must be typed/word processed and double-spaced or it will not be accepted for grading; and prepared according to standard manuscript standards--e.g., leave 1 inch margins at top-bottom-sides; type/print on standard sized 8 ˝” x 11”white paper, using only one side of each page; use readable fonts in standard point sizes (10 point for larger fonts, 12 point for smaller fonts), etc. 

  • MLA-style Heading (in upper left-hand corner of  first page) and Running Page headers (in upper right-hand corner of subsequent pages) must be used to identify your paper:

MLA-Style Heading placed in upper left-hand corner of  first page):

Janet Mikulski (your name)
English 104, Prof. C. Agatucci (identify course & instructor)
Final Project - Final Draft (identify assignment)
9 December 2003 (identify date assignment is due)

Critical Review of J. R. R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings
(Center a Title descriptive of your Research Topic)

Introduction

Directions: Write a one or two paragraph introduction that (1) describes and introduces your topic as clearly and specifically as possible (see Topic Possibilities & Topic Proposal directions), (2) explains why you chose this topic and/or how you became interested in conducting research on it for this Critical Review, (3) explains briefly how you found your five sources (review Selecting 5 Useful "Outside" Sources and Where to Find them), and (4) discusses one or two of the most valuable things that you learned from completing research for this topic.  Be sure to state explicitly (somewhere in this introduction) how your chosen topic is relevant to ENG 104 study of narrative fiction, and/or identify one or more ENG 104 Objectives or Learning Outcomes that this Critical Review project enabled you to broaden or deepen.

Critical Review of Five Sources
 Directions: For each of your five (5)  "outside sources":
a. Identify type of source and give a complete MLA-Style Bibliographical Entry
b. Summary: Provide a concise summary of the contents of this source: summarize the kind of information the source offers on your topic, and highlight the most valuable information provided by the source.
c. Evaluation:  Briefly evaluate the source: state its strength(s) to justify your recommending this source--e.g. why is this source reliable, useful, current, authoritative, etc., this topic?  Also mention any significant weakness or drawback of this source.
Remember to DOUBLE SPACE!!

Mikulski  2
 (running page header needed on 2nd & subsequent pages)

DOCUMENTARY
Chinua Achebe: A World of Ideas.  [Interview with Bill Moyers.] The Moyers Collection. 
        Prod. PBS Video, Public Affairs Television, WNET/New York and WWTTW/Chicago. 1989.
        Videotape. Films for the Humanities, 1994.

From The Moyers Collection comes this insightful interview with Chinua Achebe, originally filmed for Bill Moyers' PBS television series A World of Ideas (1989).  In the 28-minute interview, Achebe discusses the role of the African storyteller, one who hears the music of history and weaves the fabric of memory, one obliged to be the people's collective conscience--and, in so doing, to offend "the Emperor" if necessary. "It is the storyteller...," stated Achebe, "who makes us who we are, that creates history."  Moyers is a skillful interviewer who asks probing, well-informed questions and then gracefully recedes to allow Achebe, one of the world's greatest writers and storytellers, to speak.  And what Achebe says is well worth hearing.  A man caught between two worlds, Achebe discusses his observations and criticisms of both African and Western politics and culture, the stages in his awakening to inaccurate and demeaning depictions of black Africans in works such as Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, and closes with provocative advice for the West: "listen to the weak" for the strong could learn much from the so-called "weak" peoples of the rest of the world. This is a valuable primary source that responds to my research questions regarding African writers' views of Western literature and European colonialism.

*
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Dudek, Duane. “Epic Fantasy Echoes Today’s Clash between Good and Evil.” Milwaukee Journal
        Sentinel 17 December 2001, morning ed.: D2.

The parallelism between the current war on terrorism and The Lord of the Rings is the beginning focus of this article. Dudek explains that The Lord of the Rings is a metaphorical expression of good versus evil and that is a key reason why so many people have been able to relate to the book. This article also gives insight into the hard work and dedication given by all of those involved in the production of the film adaptation of Tolkien's novel trilogy. Dudek discusses how the film was conceived and Peter Jackson’s role as director. The Tolkien illustrator was used to create the Middle-Earth environments. An Elvish language guide was developed to ensure the actors had correct pronunciations of the language. The entire trilogy was filmed in New Zealand during an 18-month shoot. Two of the main actors in the film provide

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their interpretations of the novel and its relation to the world today. Ian McKellan, who plays Gandalf in the film, refers to The Lord of the Rings as his “bible” and he even carried a copy of the novel in the pocket of his costume on the set (D2). Dudek makes the controversial claim that The Lord of the Rings was “greatly influenced by the horrors of World War II” (D2), while some other reliable sources I've read maintain that World War I influenced Tolkien more strongly than later events.  Nevertheless, I recommend this source as valuable for others interested in learning more about the making of the film and the film crew involved in the process. And, as Dudek emphasizes, the novel's depiction of good versus evil still has important lessons to teach us about moral dilemmas posed by the world we live in today.

*
MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Miller, John J. “The Truth Beyond Memory. (J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings).”  National
       Review 31 December 2001: 43.

The author of this article proposes that The Fellowship of the Ring film is a “welcome diversion” from the happenings of the last year (43). As for the novel on which the film is based, Miller asserts that Tolkien's work  sheds light on the “most fundamental concerns of this world: the nature of evil, the lure of power, and the duty of courage” (43).  Miller recognizes Tolkien for his accomplishments other than his novels. Miller has obviously conducted thorough research on Tolkien and seems to understand him and the drive that helped produce The Lord of the Rings. The author also concentrates on the religious components that exist in the novel, furnishing convincing examples. Although Miller agrees that The Lord of the Rings is “wonderful and well-written,” he claims that the full value can only be obtained when one can recognize “what lies behind the book” (43). The author of this article appears to be very knowledgeable and his perception of the novel is supported by facts and citations from other reliable sources. This is a beneficial article that increases readers' interest in discovering the underlying concepts in the novel.

*
BOOK

Stanton, Michael N.  Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards.  New York: Palgrave, 2001.

Stanton has been an English Literature Professor at the University of Vermont since 1971. Stanton’s stated intention for his book is “to make clear what readers of Tolkien’s tale would want made clear for

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their greater enjoyment” (3).  He provides a glimpse into who Tolkien was and what elements were involved in the creation of The Lord of the Rings. In Part I there is a chapter devoted to each book of The Lord of the Rings. These chapters provide detailed plot summaries, in-depth descriptions of the characters and settings, and analysis of major themes. Part II focuses on the several types of races in The Lord of the Rings. Stanton explains the history, characteristics, and terminology associated with each race. A strength of this source is the creditability of the author who has taught and studied Tolkien for over twenty five years. The explanations of the moral themes presented in The Lord of the Rings are very helpful. This is an excellent source; it is very detailed and does indeed answer many questions readers may have to enhance their enjoyment of The Lord of the Rings.

*
WEB PAGE

"Myth and Storytelling."  National Geographic's Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings. 
        1996-2003. National Geographic.com. 17 Nov. 2003
         <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngbeyond/rings/myth.html>.

National Geographic has created an excellent Beyond the Movie web series, and one is devoted to The Lord of the Rings. The page devoted to "Myth and Storytelling" is particularly relevant to my research question exploring Tolkien's inspirations for creating the epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings and the magical world of Middle Earth.  The online essay explains that England lost most of its ancient oral histories and legends because of invasions, migrations, and conquests between 400 and 1066 CE, and Tolkien wanted to fill that gap by creating the mythology and history of Middle Earth.  Tolkien was a scholar of the Nordic epic Beowulf, as well as other surviving Icelandic and Finnish epic poems and ballads, and the medieval quest epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was also an influence on the plot and themes of The Lord of the Rings.  The multimedia enhancements offered by this web page include beautiful illustrations, recommended books, and links to more information within the web site on Tolkien and his biography, Language and Culture, as well as related outside web sources on Irish history and storytelling traditions.  National Geographic is a reputable source of information and, in turn, cites the sources of its web page information and illustrations.

ENG 104 Final Critical Review             Name______________________________
Evaluation Checklist; Worth 25% of Course Grade
Fall 2003, Prof. Cora Agatucci             Grade_______________


___ Manuscript Format                                 ___Critical Review of 5 “outside” sources

___ Introduction (1-2 paragraphs):                     a.  Types of sources identified, 5 sources

    --1 Topic Intro/Description                                 selected meet specifications:

        & relevant to ENG 104 study                        --at least one book or reference work article

    --2. Reason/s for Topic Choice                          -- at least one reputable periodical article

    --3. How found 5 sources                                 -- no more than two WWWeb sources

    --4. Most Valuable thing/s learned                   a.  MLA-Style bibliographical entries,

___Written Expression                                  b & c.  Summary & Evaluation of @ source

 

See also Final Project: Critical Review Directions (Handout 1)
 Handout 2 - Final Project: Critical Review
(Topic Proposal, Working Bibliography, MLA Documentation Style Examples, ENG 104 Learning Objectives)
 ENG 104 Syllabus | Course Plan | Home

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