Context of Practise 2: Lecture Notes- "What Is Critical Analysis"

Thursday 9th January 2014
"What Is Critical Analysis?"
James Beighton

Critical Analysis
- An appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation
- Central process involved in all academic work
- Applying rational and logical thinking while deconstructing different texts

What is it?
- Considering the claims of theorists, governments, authorities, ect. and how far they seem to apply or be relevant to a given situation
- Anybody writing on a subject- looking at the claims of other people and applying them in a context given

Why use it?
- Key skill for writing essays
- Accessing various ideas and information and deciding whether you want to use these points
- It is something we do everyday, by accessing information and making reasoned decisions from it, e.g. believing what is said on TV
- Being able to agree or disagree with an argument
- Being able to make a point, back it up with evidence and explain your point to be able to make an informed opinion on the subject matter

How does it work?
- Carefully considering an idea and weighing up the evidence supporting it to see if it convincing. Then being able to explain why it is convincing

Bloom's (1956) Hierarchy/ Taxonomy of Thinking Skills

Bloom's Taxonomy

Based on 6 levels of knowledge (Higher knowledge as it goes up):

• Evaluate- make value judgements about the value of the information
• Synthesize- combine ideas or information into something new
• Analysis- make an examination of a piece of research
• Apply- use knowledge
• Comprehend- have understanding
• Know- be aware of something

What is the difference between Descriptive writing and Analytical writing?

"Time Magazine cover" (14th September 2001)
- 9/11 bombing with the planes crashing into the Twin Towers
- Sign of western domination and economy
- Significant event in world history

"Party Music" (2001) The Coup Withdrawn CD Cover
- Before 9/11
- Can be assumed to be referencing what has happened which can create a strong negative emotion
- If the towers weren't bombed, people may not have been bothered about this image
- Trying to represent the lack of money and desired upbringing that the towers represented

Some considerations which make up the context of image:
- Date?
- What is it?
- What is it for?
- Who is the Target Audience?
- Who produced it?
- Is it fit for purpose?
- Where was it produced?
- Where was it produced?
- How was it produced?

Practising critical analysis on text:
- Who is the author and what is their viewpoint or bias?
- Who is the audience and how does that influence the way information is presented?
- What is the main message of the text?
- What evidence has been used to support this main message?
- Is the evidence convincing? Are there counter-arguments?
- Do I agree with the text and why do I agree or disagree?

How to get more critical analysis into your essay:
- Avoid unnecessary description
- Only include general history if it adds to the argument
- Interpret your evidence- explain how and why the evidence supports the point and your interpretation of it
- Be specific- avoid making sweeping generalisations or points without any evidence. Be precise.
- Use counter arguments to your advantage- include an opposing viewpoint to strengthen a viewpoint

How to criticise the work of established academics:
- Read other academics and practitioners with different views
- Look for practical evidence that may support of refute the established theory

Hw to criticise others work:
- May the author be biased?
- Do the author clearly outline the theoretical based?
- Are the authors methods trustworthy?
- Are there arguments supported by relevant evidence?

Is it about criticising others work?
- Yes, but but you need to integrated different sources of information to provide a fuller picture
- Give an overview of the topic
- Provide practical evidence to illustrate and support your arguments

"The Work of Art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction" (1936) by Walter Benjamin 
- Socialists who approached the world in terms of reading after Marx
- Talks about how the work of art changes in this era
- A unique work of art as an enigmatic aspect to it

"That which withers in the age of mechanical reproduction is the aura of the work of art"

- Walter Benjamin

- The notion of the one off thing which has a magical quality which is changed due to the reproduction of the image, making it one of many.
- The tremendous shattering of tradition

PRESENCE + AUTHENTICITY+ AUTHORITY = AURA

"Chairman Mao" by Andy Warhol
- The plurality of images
- There is no history which is encapsulated by the reproduction of the image

"Chairman Mao with Bullet Hole" by Dennis Hopper
- Reinstatement of the aura to the image
- Become far more individual that the other reproductions

Critical Analysis at Play:

"Triumph of the Will" (1935) by Leni Riefenstahl
- Piece of Nazi propaganda
- Read what you see based on what you now know

"Triumph of the Will" Film is played by U2 as they come on for a show
- Propoganda style video playing with the media
- Referencing how the media persuades
- Decontextualise and Re-contextualise the video- the people in the stadium don't know they are watching Nazi Propoganda but there was a surge of emotion in response when it was played