EDUC 632
Journal Article Critique Assignment Instructions
Choose 2 articles from professional journals of education (scholarly and/or peer-reviewed articles only). You must choose articles to related one of the language arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing or visual representation) in the course textbook. Both articles should be on the same topic. This topic must be clearly included in your title on the title page. Articles must be published within the last 5 years and must be more than 5 pages.
Your review must be written in your words and include 1–2 scholarly citations per paragraph in current APA format, except in the reflective section where none are included. Do not over quote from the article. Instead, summarize and paraphrase.
Write a separate critique for each journal article. However, the assignment will be submitted as 1 Microsoft Word document. The content of the paper, including 2 critiques, must be 4–5 pages. In addition to the content, make sure to include a title and reference page.
Organize and format each critique with the headings and subheadings outlined below. Do not write the questions. You must write your critiques with well-formed paragraphs that flow logically from one topic to the next.
Format the paper in current APA, with the exception of the reflection section, which may include first person (I, me, my, etc.)
Include a reference page formatted in the most current APA edition.
Topic
Briefly describe the topic of the journal article (hint: it is usually in the article’s title).
Identify the major and minor objectives of the article as well.
Identify and define the important concepts focused on by the author. Are the definitions clear, in your opinion?
Main Ideas
Summarize the article’s content. In doing so, what is the author’s major argument?
What are the supporting arguments?
Are the ideas clearly presented?
Conclusions
What conclusions does the author(s) make?
Bring your critique together. No new information should be stated in the conclusion.
Reflection
In your opinion, does the data support the conclusions being made by the author?
In your opinion, are the results thought provoking?
In your opinion, what could be done to improve the research?
What was the most important thing you learned by reading and critiquing this article?
Be sure to review the criteria on the Journal Article Critique Grading Rubric before beginning this assignment.
Journal Article Critique Grading Rubric
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content 70%
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Not present
Topics
14 to 15 points
Topics are briefly described for each critique and relates to one specific language arts topic; both articles are on the same topic. The major concepts, ideas, and objectives are clearly defined.
13 points
Most of the topics are described for each critique. Most of the major concepts, ideas, and objectives are defined.
1 to 12 points
Some of the topics are described for each critique. Some of the major concepts, ideas, or objectives are defined OR articles are not on the same topic.
0 points
Not present
Main Idea(s)
14 to 15 points
Each critique focuses on the article’s main ideas/arguments. The student has a good understanding of the overall main idea of each article/study.
13 points
The critiques explain at least 1 main idea/argument presented in the article. The student has a general understanding of the articles.
1 to 12 points
The critiques do not clearly explain the main idea/argument. While the student may show understanding of the articles, the main idea is not clearly evident.
0 points
Not present
Conclusions
14 to 15 points
All critiques have a concluding paragraph. The conclusions provide closure to the critiques professionally in a well-structured paragraph. Each article has an effective conclusion recapping valuable information in the critiques.
13 points
Most of the critiques have a concluding paragraph and provide closure to the critiques in a paragraph. Each article has a conclusion recapping information in the critiques.
1 to 12 points
Some of the critiques have a concluding paragraph that provide closure to the critiques in a paragraph. Some articles are missing an effective conclusion.
0 points
Not present
Reflection(s)
36 to 39 points
The student reflects on each article with a critique and includes the following:
The student includes in the reflection if the information supports the conclusions made by the author.
The student makes valid recommendations for improving the research.
The student identifies the most valuable ideas from reading the article.
First personal language is used appropriately.
33 to 35 points
The student reflects on each article with a critique. Most of the following are included in the reflection.
The student includes in the reflection if the information supports the conclusions made by the author.
The student makes valid recommendations for improving the research.
The student identifies the most valuable ideas from reading the article.
First personal language is used appropriately.
1 to 32 points
The student reflects on some articles with a critique. Some of the following are included in the reflection.
The student includes in the reflection if the information supports the conclusions made by the author.
The student makes valid recommendations for improving the research.
The student identifies the most valuable ideas from reading the article.
First personal language is used appropriately.
0 points
Not present
Structure 30%
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Not present
Grammar and Spelling
10 points
Correct spelling and grammar are used throughout the critiques. There are 0–2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
8 to 9 points
There are 3–5 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
1 to 7 points
There are 6–10 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
0 points
Not present
Current APA Format Compliance
10 points
There are 0–1 minor errors in current APA format in the required items: title page, running head, font type and size, line spacing, headings, citations, and references.
8 to 9 points
There are 2–3 minor errors in current APA format in the required items: title page, running head, font type and size, line spacing, headings, citations, and references.
1 to 7 points
There are more than 3 errors in current APA format in the required items:
title page, running head, font type and size, line spacing, headings, citations, and references.
0 points
Not present
Page Length
15 to 16 points
The minimum length of 4–5 pages of content is met. The entire assignment, including the cover page and references page is 6–7 pages.
13 to 14 points
There are 3 pages of content. The entire assignment, including the cover page and reference page is 5 pages.
1 to 12 points
There are 1–2 pages of content. The entire assignment, including the cover page and reference page is 3–4 pages.
0 points
Not present
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