The Practice of Critique
Reading work closely, and saying something useful about it.
An advanced seminar on critique as a professional skill. Students learn to describe work before judging it, to separate taste from function, and to run critique sessions that improve the work instead of the mood in the room.
3.3h
Study time
10
Lessons
3
Modules
4.8
Rating
187 reviews
Enrolment
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Subjects covered
5 topics
Knowledge map
What you will be able to do
- Describe a piece of work accurately before evaluating it
- Distinguish preference from a functional problem
- Give critique that a person can act on the same day
- Facilitate a critique session that stays on the work
Curriculum
3 modules · 10 lessons
- 01What Do You Actually SeeWhere description usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.20m
- 02The Vocabulary ProblemMaking judgement explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.18m
- 03Intent, Execution, EffectA close look at facilitation and the failures it is meant to prevent.22m
- 01Preference, Convention, FunctionThe judgement calls behind feedback, and what each of them costs.24m
- 02Ranking Problems by CostA close look at taste and the failures it is meant to prevent.20m
- 03Saying the Hard Thing PlainlyMaking description explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.18m
- 04Critique in WritingWhere judgement usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.22m
- 01Setting the FrameThe working method for facilitation, reduced to what actually matters.18m
- 02Handling the Loudest VoiceMaking feedback explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.20m
- 03Deciding What Happens NextA close look at taste and the failures it is meant to prevent.16m
Assessment
Exercise-led. Each lesson closes with a practice task; assessed work is written and brief.
Quizzes
No quizzes in this course — assessment is by written submission and exercise.
Assignments
No assessed assignments — each lesson closes with an unassessed exercise.
What students say
- 4 out of 5Marta Kowalska — Editor
The examples are drawn from ordinary situations rather than glamorous ones, which made them far easier to apply on Monday morning.
- 4 out of 5Paulo Cardoso — Consultant
Well paced. Nothing padded, and the instructor answers discussion threads properly rather than pointing you back at the material.
- 4 out of 5Karel Novák — Founder
Demanding in a useful way. The assignment came back with three specific criticisms, all correct, none of which I had thought about.
Fictional reviews — demonstration content only
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