Introduction

For students at Cal Poly, academic writers, academic researchers, and individuals in the workforce applying critical perspectives is essential for success in writing. When studying new material and conducting academic research, students must think about how they will present their newfound understanding or point of view in their writing. Analyzing secondary sources and dissecting primary sources requires a substantial amount of time and effort, and if the action is rushed the writing will be perceived as less professional. Students enrolled in English 145 will be graded on their ability to apply critical perspectives in a way they likely have not before. This page will explain the definition, importance, application, usage of applying critical perspectives. Then the page will show student examples with a step-by-step guide to applying critical perspectives. After reading this page, English 145 students will be able to understand what will be expected of them.  

Importance

Application and Usage

Critical perspective is a needed English skill that allows for a deeper understanding of both historical and contemporary events. Understanding how to properly apply critical thinking and perspectives to real world situations and texts is essential to gain a deeper understanding of texts and concepts. To properly apply critical perspectives and use them in writing, you begin by selecting a critical perspective to analyze such as formalism, gender theory, marxist criticism and more. Proceed to research the critical perspective being applied. For example, a feminist criticism critical perspective may examine gender roles and underrepresentation whereas marxist criticism may be centered on economic power and class struggle. Furthermore, read the critical core text at hand and examine the reading, by asking yourself critical questions,  with a chosen perspective in mind. Collect pieces of evidence in the text and details that support your analysis and that align with the critical perspective chosen. Examine and compare how different critical perspectives might interpret the text differently, allowing one to see the complexity and possible double meaning in core texts. Finally, organize evidence and different ideas into a coherent analysis. Structure the writing discussing different perspectives and integrating the perspectives to demonstrate how the different perspectives may intertwine. Following these steps ensures that proper critical thinking and perspectives will be applied to the work. 

Possible Questions to Think of When Reading Core Texts 

Marxist Perspective; How does the text portray class struggle and economic inequality? What is the relationship between social class and peoples actions? How does this text critique capitalist societies or exploit the issues of power?

Feminist Criticism Perspective; How are gender roles and relationships portrayed in this text? How does this text challenge or reinforce societal gender norms and patriarchal values? What are some experiences or struggles of women in the text and how are they represented in the text? Poorly? 

Gender Theory Perspective; How are different gender identities portrayed in the text? How do gender identities influence social roles and interactions? How do power dynamics differ between those of different genders? Are certain gendered behaviors rewarded or punished? How does race, class, sexuality or any other identity markers intersect with gender in the text? How do historical norms or cultural attitudes about gender possibly shape the text?

Psychoanalytical Criticism Perspective; What are some unconscious desires, ideologies, or motivations that drive the characters actions? Are there moments where people experience personal internal conflicts or psychological division? What are some different defense mechanisms that people or characters in the text demonstrate? Do characters or people in the text demonstrate behaviour of suppressing emotions or behaviours? How do childhood memories or actions shape people's personalities and actions? Are there recurring themes, symbols or narrative patterns that could reflect the author's personal unconscious concerns? 

General Questions; What was the author's intention, message or purpose in writing this text? What are the central themes or ideas that shape the text? How does the text explore the topics of power, identity, love and conflict? What are some different literary devices, such as metaphors or similes used in the text and how do they work to properly portray the author's message? Does the text's structure reinforce the text's main themes? Are there any conflicts in the text, if so what conflicts and how do they develop and resolve in the text?

Application and Usage Weak Example 

“Senator Rubio is evidently working as a marionette for the upper class, the top 1%, to keep foreign nations that need aid oppressed. The ruling class controls everything, is a key Marxist theory, demonstrating that the decision to stop 83% of USAID contracts with foreign countries is evidence that Rubio and the US Government are purposefully starving developing countries to maintain a capitalist dominance. Additionally, according to Noam Chomsky’s “Media Control”, the media is likely covering the true reasons behind these large cuts, in order to protect American corporations.  This evidently demonstrates that Rubio’s actions are simply a scheme to ensure the rich stay rich and demonstrate that the USAID contracts do not help the people, but are simply capitalist scams.”

Explanation 

This is a weak example of applying a marxist critical perspective to a current news article called “Rubio announces that 83% of USAID contracts will be canceled” and connecting to a core critical reading called “Media Control” by Noam Chomsky. 

Overgeneralization, in this example the analysis of the text doesn't properly define and correctly explain Marxist perspectives, by suggesting that all political decisions are driven by class oppression without using any evidence from the articles.

This response fails to demonstrate specific analysis. The response used does not demonstrate the connection between the cancellation of USAID and how this could possibly exploit the working class, a key Marxist concern. There is also a large use of emotional language that replaces critical thinking and unique perspective with aggressive bias. 

Application and Usage Strong Example 

“The fact that this campaign was withdrawn three months earlier than originally planned, and its rapid replacement by a completely different series of advertisements, supports the view that the campaign itself was ineffective and inappropriate. Agency X are well-known for their political party broadcasts, but in retrospect, the decision to hire them seems to have been a poor one as the campaign failed to appeal to the target market. I would argue that the key failures to engage a younger audience can be summarised in the following way…”

Explanation

Applying critical perspective is efficient for students, as it equips them with the skills necessary to deeply comprehend and interpret scholarly sources. Being able to adopt a critical lens allows students to be able to construct arguments that are both well sustained and convey to an audience. This also allows students to grow and learn about the significance of knowledge and being aware of what’s going on in the world.

How to Find and Evaluate Scholarly Sources

A strong academic analysis is built on credible and diverse sources. Finding and evaluating sources effectively ensures that arguments are well-supported and free from bias.

Where to Find Scholarly Sources:

• University Library Databases – Platforms like JSTOR, Google Scholar, OneSearch and ProQuest provide access to peer-reviewed journals and academic books.

• Reference Lists from Scholarly Articles – Looking at the works cited in academic papers can lead to additional valuable sources.

• Official Academic Websites and Institutions – Universities and research institutions publish studies and reports that can be useful for academic writing.

Sites: 

Cal Poly OneSearch: https://csu-calpoly.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01CALS_PSU:01CALS_PSU

JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/site/calpoly/

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/

ProQuest: https://www.proquest.com/index

How to Evaluate a Source's Credibility:

• Authorship – Is the author a recognized expert in the field? Do they have affiliations with academic institutions?

• Publication Type – Peer-reviewed journal articles and academic books are generally more reliable than opinion pieces or blogs.

• Date of Publication – Ensure the source is up to date, especially if analyzing contemporary issues.

• Bias and Objectivity – Identify any potential biases by examining the language, funding sources, or affiliations of the author.

• Citations and References – A strong scholarly work should cite multiple sources, demonstrating engagement with existing research.

By carefully selecting and evaluating sources, students can build a strong foundation for their arguments and avoid incorporating unreliable or misleading information.

How to Synthesize Multiple Perspectives

Rather than merely listing different perspectives, students must integrate and compare them to create a meaningful academic discussion. Synthesis requires:

• Identifying Points of Agreement and Disagreement – Determine how different scholars engage with the same topic and where their arguments diverge.

• Placing Sources in Conversation – Instead of presenting sources separately, explain how one scholar's argument supports, challenges, or expands on another’s viewpoint.

• Developing an Independent Argument – Use multiple perspectives to support an original thesis rather than simply summarizing others’ work.

Example of Weak vs. Strong Synthesis:

Weak:

 "Scholar A argues that media influences political opinion, while Scholar B claims that political bias in media is overstated. Both discuss media’s role in politics."

Strong:

 "Scholar A provides evidence that media influences political opinions through framing techniques, while Scholar B argues that this influence is exaggerated due to audience pre-existing beliefs. However, when considering Scholar C’s study on social media algorithms, it becomes clear that media influence varies based on platform engagement rather than being a universal effect."

A strong synthesis connects multiple viewpoints rather than simply presenting them side by side.

Writers' Checklist:

This checklist is designed to guide writers in effectively applying critical perspectives to academic analysis. By following these steps, writers can ensure their essays are insightful, well-supported, and academically rigorous.

1.  Understand the Critical Perspective:

• Research the critical perspective you are applying (e.g., Marxist, Feminist, Psychoanalytic, Postcolonial, etc.).

• Familiarize yourself with the key concepts, theories, and terminology associated with the perspective.

• Identify key figures or scholars and understand their main contributions.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • What are the authors' political views? Does the author favor or go against these views? 

    • What is the central argument or theory behind this critical perspective?

    • Who are the key figures or scholars associated with this perspective, and what are their main ideas?

    • What terminology is essential for applying this perspective effectively?

2.  Identify Relevance to the Scholarly Text:

• Determine how the critical perspective aligns with the scholarly texts, academic journals, or books being analyzed.

• Assess whether the perspective provides insight into specific theoretical or methodological issues within the literature.

• Consider multiple viewpoints within the perspective to ensure a balanced interpretation.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • Does the author of the text have any prior knowledge of the argument?

    • Has the author made any false stories and obtained sources from another press company, and if so is that press company reliable?

    • Does the author make any assumptions and biases in information or arguments?

    • Why is the author writing the article? Are the authors part of a press organization?

    • How does this perspective help interpret the scholarly text in a new way?

    • What aspects of the academic work (arguments, methodologies, theoretical frameworks) does this perspective illuminate?

    • Are there relevant social, political, or historical contexts that align with the themes of the scholarly work?

    • What issues or ideas within the text does this perspective help to explain or critique?

3.  Apply Theory to Scholarly Analysis:

• Use specific examples from academic texts to support the critical perspective.

• Analyze arguments, methodologies, or theoretical structures through the lens of the chosen theory.

• Clearly connect theoretical concepts to scholarly evidence.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • What specific examples from the scholarly text (quotes, concepts, methodologies) support the perspective?

    • How do the arguments, theoretical frameworks, or methodologies reflect or challenge the ideas of the critical perspective?

    • What deeper meanings or patterns emerge when viewed through this lens?

    • Are there contradictions in the scholarly text that the critical perspective helps to highlight or resolve?

4.  Maintain Analytical Balance:

• Avoid rigidly applying the perspective; allow room for complexity in the analysis.

• Acknowledge contradictions or tensions within the scholarly work or theory.

• Critically assess the limitations and biases of the perspective.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • Am I allowing for multiple interpretations, or am I over-applying this perspective?

    • Does this perspective account for the nuance of the academic work, or am I oversimplifying it?

    • Are there moments where this perspective does not fully explain the scholarly text’s elements?

    • How can I critique the theory itself while still applying it effectively?

5.   Incorporate Scholarly Support:

• Reference key scholars or sources that have applied the perspective in similar contexts.

• Integrate secondary sources that reinforce the analysis.

• Maintain originality in analysis rather than over-relying on secondary sources.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • Which scholars or critical works can strengthen my application of this perspective?

    • What do existing studies say about this perspective’s application to similar academic texts or themes?

    • How do secondary sources deepen or complicate my analysis?

    • Am I quoting, paraphrasing, and citing sources effectively to support my argument?

6.   Link Theory and Argument:

• Clearly outline how the critical perspective informs the central argument.

• Maintain coherence by ensuring the perspective remains central to the analysis.

• Use the perspective to build a compelling, well-supported argument.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • How does the critical perspective support my thesis or main argument?

    • How does applying this perspective strengthen my interpretation of the scholarly text?

    • Am I ensuring that the critical perspective remains integral to my argument?

    • How can I establish clear connections between the scholarly text and the theory?

7.   Be Mindful of Language and Tone:

• Use clear, academic language when discussing the critical theory.

• Avoid unnecessary jargon or explain complex terms where necessary.

• Maintain an objective, scholarly tone throughout the analysis.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • Am I using precise, academic language to explain complex ideas?

    • Is my language accessible, or am I overloading the reader with jargon?

    • Does my tone remain objective and scholarly rather than biased or emotional?

    • Have I ensured my argument is based on evidence and reasoning rather than opinion or assumption?

8.   Conclude with Insight:

• Summarize how the critical perspective deepens understanding of the scholarly work.

• Reflect on the broader implications of the analysis—does it challenge or reinforce common interpretations?

• Consider how this application of the perspective opens avenues for further exploration.

• Guiding Questions:

  • • What broader insights does applying this critical perspective offer?

    • Does my analysis challenge traditional interpretations, and how does it open new understandings of the scholarly work?

    • How can I summarize the key takeaways from my analysis?

    • What new questions or ideas emerge from this perspective, and how could they lead to further research or discussion?

By following this checklist, writers can effectively incorporate critical perspectives into their essays, enhancing their analysis while maintaining clarity, depth, and academic rigor. 

Examples

Example 1

Explanation 1

This example above is from a student’s essay about criminal rehabilitation that does a good job of analyzing critical perspective. The argument the student was making was that opportunities to give prisoners education will help reform prisoners.  The student read the source that applied to their topic that is a reliable source, found a quote that supported their argument and then applied a quote into their argument. The student’s analysis of the quote shows the writer’s critical perspective. As discussed above, one of the easiest ways to avoid biases is with data and this student was able to let the facts prove their point rather than opinions.

Example 2

"One example of a divisive tweet Donald Trump posted exclaimed, "Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone, except her husband’s boating activities. The Federal Government provided tremendous help to the Great People of Michigan. My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist – while Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa, Anarchists, Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities." The context surrounding this tweet, authorities have just prevented Governor Whitmer from being kidnapped and likely harmed, gives the message an extremely controversial effect on the public. Donald Trump remains extremely popular among American voters, particularly Republicans, and could become the president of the United States again in 2024 despite his unprofessional antics on social media" (Bystrom 4).

Explanation 2

The excerpt above attempts to use a tweet posted by Donald Trump to argue that social media platforms have contributed to polarization in politics to be increasingly excepted by the public. However, the attempt fails to complete this goal because the author failed to analyze the tweet in detail and explicitly explain how the tweet contributes to their argument. Another mistake they made was failing to block the quote as the tweet takes the space of over four lines. Here is an example of how the writer could improve their analysis: 

In a statement regarding federal intervention in Michigan, former President Donald Trump criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the state's COVID-19 lockdowns and her response to a foiled kidnapping plot. Trump stated, 

Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone, except her husband’s boating activities. The Federal Government provided tremendous help to the Great People of Michigan. My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist – while Biden and Democrats refuse to condemn Antifa, Anarchists, Looters and Mobs that burn down Democrat run cities (citation needed)  

This was right after authorities had just prevented Governor Whitmer from being kidnapped and likely harmed. The President of the United States acting in such a brash and aggressive way is unique to the politics of the last fifty years. Twitter and other platforms have allowed Donald Trump to connect with voters through his non-political correctness. This social media following and cycling of similar ideas is an example of how social media can lead to political polarization.  

Works Cited