How To Write An Article Review: Format, Structure, Examples

Entering the library or logging into an academic database can feel overwhelming. You are surrounded by endless data, complex language, and the pressure to perform. Then, your professor assigns a task that goes beyond simple reading: an article review.

Many students confuse this assignment with a standard summary. However, an article review is a critical assessment of another author’s work. It requires you to look past the surface and evaluate the logic, evidence, and contribution the piece makes to its field. Whether you are tackling a science article or a piece for a literature review, the goal is the same: to demonstrate your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

If you are unsure how to write a well-written article review, do not panic. This guide provides a clear outline and actionable steps to help you produce a high-quality paper. We will cover APA and MLA styling, types of review, and how to critique an original article effectively.

What is an Article Review?

Before you start writing, it is vital to define what this task entails. An article review is a critical evaluation of a scholarly source. It is not just a report on what the author said. Instead, an effective review analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the publication.

Types of Article Reviews

Depending on your course, you might encounter different requirements:

1. Journal Article Review: This is common in the social sciences. You examine a research article published in an academic journal to see if the hypothesis holds up against the data.
2. Science Article Review: This often focuses on the methodology and specific evidence used in scientific experiments.
3. Law or Review Article: These might look at legal arguments or broader surveys of existing literature.

Regardless of the type, an article review requires you to engage with the text. You must assess if the article contributes new insight or if the argument relies on flawed logic.

Pre-Writing Phase: How to Read the Article Closely

You cannot write a good article review if you have not analyzed the text properly. The pre-writing phase is where the real work happens. You need to read the article differently from how you would read a novel.

Strategies to Understand the Article

To understand the article fully, you should use an active reading approach. Do not just let the words wash over you.

1. Scan for the Big Picture: Look at the title, abstract, headings, and conclusion first. This gives you the main points before you dive deep.
2. Read the Article Closely: Now, go through the text line by line. Highlight key terms and the thesis statement.
3. Check the Evidence: Does the author support their claims with valid citations and proof? Or is the information based solely on opinion?
4. Note Your Critique: As you read, write down questions. Is the research outdated? Is the logic circular?

This process ensures youreview the article with a sharp eye. A review takes a close look at the mechanics of the piece, not just the topic. 

If you find yourself grappling with the depth of analysis required, consider exploring services that offer in-depth analysis and critical literature review assistance to refine your approach.

Article Review Formatting (APA and MLA)

Structure matters. If you do not follow the correct format, your grade will suffer regardless of how brilliant your critique is. Most academic fields use either APA style or MLA.

Review in APA Format

The APA format is standard for psychology, education, and the sciences. An article review in APA typically includes:

• Title Page: Includes the title, your name, and institutional affiliation.
• Abstract: A brief summary of your review (sometimes optional).
• Main Body: Where you summarize the article and provide your critique.
• References: The bibliographic entry for the article you reviewed.

When you write a review in APA, ensure you use the author-date method for in-text citations.

MLA Format

The humanities often use MLA. This style focuses less on the date of publication and more on the author and page number. It does not usually require a title page unless requested.

Always check your syllabus. If you are struggling with the specific margins and headers, looking at an article review example or an article review template can clarify things.

Structuring Your Review: The Standard Review Article Outline

A clear structure keeps your essay focused. When you start an article review, having a roadmap helps you avoid getting lost in the details. Here is a standard article review outline you can adapt.

1. Introduction

Your introduction sets the stage. It must include the title of the article, the author’s name, and the title of the journal.

• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention.
• Context: Briefly mention the central theme.
• Thesis: Your thesis statement should be your overall verdict. Is the article valid, insightful, or flawed?

2. Summary of the Article

This part should be concise. The focus of your review is analysis, so do not spend three pages summarizing.

• Summarize the author’s main arguments and conclusions.
• Describe the research article review’s focus (e.g., the participants, the setting, or the texts analyzed).
• Keep this neutral. Save your critique for the next part.

3. Body of the Review (The Critique)

This is the core of your paper. Here, you discuss in your review the critical analysis of the article. You will evaluate the content of the article based on the notes you took earlier.

• Critique of the article: Discuss the strengths and weaknesses.
• Evaluate the Evidence: Did the author use accurate data?
• Methodology: Was the research conducted properly?

If you’re looking for guidance on structuring arguments and maintaining coherence, resources like those on how to write a genre analysis essay can offer useful perspectives on analytical writing.

4. Conclusion

Summarize your main points. Provide an overall assessment of the article. Would you recommend this original article to other scholars? Why or why not?

For those undertaking substantial research projects, understanding the components of a dissertation literature review can provide further insights into structuring extensive academic work.

Writing the Critique: Evaluating Strengths and Weaknesses

Learning how to write the critique portion is often the hardest step. A review is a critical evaluation, which means you need to judge the work professionally.

To write an article review effectively, focus on specific elements:

• Clarity: Is the author’s writing clear and accessible, or is it filled with unnecessary jargon?
• Contribution: Does this paper fill a gap in the library of existing knowledge?
• Bias: Can you detect any bias that skews the results?

When you write the review, avoid general statements like “I liked it.” Instead, say, “The author successfully argues X by providing statistical evidence, but fails to address Y.” This makes your argument stronger.

Review by summarizing the gaps you found. For instance, if you are doing a science article review, you might point out that the sample size was too small. If you are doing a review in APA format for a sociology paper, you might critique the survey questions.

For those who need assistance in articulating these complex sections, a professional term paper writing service can offer support in developing strong academic arguments.

Polishing Your Work: Review and Refine

Once the draft is done, you are not finished. Proofreading is essential. A thoughtful review can be ruined by typos or poor grammar.

Checklist for a Polished Paper

1. Check the Logic: Does your critique flow naturally from the evidence you presented?
2. Verify the Format: Did you stick to APA or MLA guidelines? Accurate and consistent citation is a cornerstone of academic integrity. Tools like an APA article citation generator can be incredibly helpful for maintaining consistency.
3. Word Count: Check the length of an article review. Usually, they are shorter than standard research papers (600-1000 words), but always check the instructions.
4. Compare: Look at an example of an article review to see if your tone matches academic standards.

If you find yourself stuck, some students consult a writing service or paper writing service to see samples of high-quality work. Viewing a professional review article example can help you visualize the final product. However, the analysis must always come from your own experience reading the text.

Similarly, if you need to rephrase sections to improve flow or avoid unintentional plagiarism, consider utilizing a complimentary essay rewriter tool to assist in effective paraphrasing, and for a final polish, an expert English paper writing service can provide invaluable proofreading and editing support.

Article Review Examples

Conclusion

Writing a review paper is a skill that serves you well beyond college. It teaches you to absorb information, question experience, and articulate a professional opinion.

By following these steps for writing an article, you can transform a daunting assignment into a manageable process. Remember to read the article closely, analyze the data, and format your work correctly. Whether you are asked to summarize the article or provide a deep critical review, the key is to engage with the material honestly.

Now that you have the tools to structure your review and critique effectively, open that journal and start your article review.

How to Write an Article Review FAQ