OP-ED: When it comes to mental health men need to be heard.
How Do I Critique an Editorial?
The main purposes of writing an critique are to:
Describe the main ideas and what the author wants to express
Analyze each important and interesting point to develop an explanation of the article’s main points
Interpret the author’s intentions of persuasive appeals, reasoning methods, and use of evidence.
Summarize and evaluate the value of the article’s persuasiveness, stating whether the author’s use of evidence and appeals persuaded you or not, with supporting evidence through the SAA model.
SAA Model:
Summarize -In a fair, unbiased way explain what the most important thing you learned from this piece. Use pull quotes to help showcase important “take away” messages from the article to help summarize the piece of writing.
Analyze- the claims or assertions is the author making. Questions to consider…
Name each of the claims/assertions the author is making
What evidence does the author use to support these claims?
Does the author do a good job of convincing you that these claims and evidence are accurate? Why or why not?
Does the writer omit some parts of the evidence or argument? How does this manipulate to argument?
Does the writer fairly and accurately represent all major viewpoints regarding the issue?
Assess – Interpret the author’s intention. Questions to consider…
What is the point of this article?
What is the author trying to convince the audience?
Is the author, article as a whole, or evidence used biased in any way?
How does this help or hurt the author’s ability to persuade?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the argument?
Do you agree or disagree with the article and/or author? Why or why not?
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
OP-ED: The Importance of Supporting Men’s Mental Health
Thesis Statement:
In our society, there is a pressing need to provide more support and understanding for men’s mental health struggles. Men often face societal pressures to maintain a facade of strength and stoicism, which can lead to feelings of isolation and reluctance to seek help. By acknowledging and addressing this issue, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals to prioritize their mental well-being.
SAA Model:
Summarize:
The main idea conveyed in this piece is the significance of recognizing and addressing men’s mental health challenges. Pull quotes such as “Men need to be heard” emphasize the importance of providing a platform for men to express their emotions and seek help without fear of judgment.
Analyze:
Claims/Assertions:
Men face societal expectations to exhibit strength and suppress emotions.
This societal pressure contributes to feelings of isolation and reluctance to seek help.
Providing support and understanding for men’s mental health struggles is crucial.
Evidence Used:
Anecdotal experiences of men sharing their struggles with mental health.
Statistics showing higher rates of suicide among men.
Persuasiveness Evaluation:
The author effectively uses personal narratives and statistical data to support their claims.
The omission of certain perspectives may limit the depth of the argument but does not negate the overarching message.
Assess:
Point of the Article: To advocate for increased awareness and support for men’s mental health.
Author’s Intention: To convince the audience that addressing men’s mental health is essential for promoting overall well-being.
Biases: The article may have a bias towards emphasizing men’s struggles, but this bias is necessary to shed light on an often overlooked issue.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The article effectively highlights the need for change but may benefit from exploring potential solutions in more depth.
Personal Agreement: I agree with the article’s premise that supporting men’s mental health is crucial in fostering a more compassionate society.
By recognizing the unique challenges that men face in seeking help for their mental health, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all genders. It is imperative that we continue to amplify the voices calling for change and advocate for a society that prioritizes mental well-being for everyone.
