Updated 21 May 2025
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An article review is a type of academic writing that critically examines a research article, journal article, or review paper. Unlike a simple article summary, this assignment asks college students to evaluate the author’s methodology, important conclusions, and the contribution to the existing literature. You’ll be expected to:
From this guide, you’ll learn how to write an article review from scratch. We’ll cover everything from format conventions and citation rules to organizing your review with clarity. EduBirdie is so excited to be your lighthouse in the review-writing world! Let’s go!
And if you’re still thinking, “Can someone write my literature review?”, we’ve got you covered with expert help, as well as tips and examples at the end.
When you’ve chosen the paper you want to review, comprehend it. By that, you mustn’t jump directly into the writing process. First, you need to understand the article you’re reviewing fully.
It is the groundwork for the entire review and helps you avoid simply summarizing or paraphrasing the content. Instead, you’ll engage in a deeper reading process that sharpens your ability to evaluate and reflect critically. So, read the piece carefully — twice!
Start with a quick read-through to get a general sense of the article review’s structure and tone.
This first skim gives you a background information layer — a high-level understanding of the article’s contribution to the field. Ask yourself:
On your second read, slow down and annotate. This phase is called the prewriting process. Identify the main points, the thesis, and any supporting evidence. Pay attention to:
This part is important as your notes will later serve as a foundation for building a strong summary section!
And if you need some examples to compare your notes against, you can explore this helpful research summary example from EduBirdie. It breaks down summary writing in a simple, academic way that can support your prewriting strategy.
The next vital step in article review writing is the summary. This part requires precision, structure, and a strong grasp of academic language.
The aim is to present the article’s key ideas, procedures, and findings in your own words. The main task is to ensure the reader can understand the article’s main points without reading the original piece. For a college student tackling this task, clarity and accuracy are everything.
Start your first paragraph with a descriptive title of the article and the author’s full name. Important information like the publication title, date, month, year, and, if relevant, the volume or issue number must also be included.
Following that, explain what the article is trying to achieve.
This is not the time to debate or challenge claims — your task is to summarize them with academic neutrality. For instance, if the article presents a journal article review, briefly note whether it analyzes multiple sources or synthesizes a specific theory.
Your next move is to outline the methods used in the article. Did the author conduct qualitative interviews, experiments, or a content analysis of academic journals? Mention this without going into excessive detail.
Then, shift to the primary findings or results. What did the research uncover? Were any patterns or correlations discovered?
Use succinct, understandable words to draw attention to supporting details such as sample size, location, timing, or analytical instruments. Instead of packing your summary with information, focus on what is most pertinent to the illuminating review article.
Paraphrase to avoid plagiarism and demonstrate your thorough understanding of the text. Be precise, avoid vague generalizations, steer clear of emotional or persuasive language, and use APA format article review quotations.
If you’re unsure how to keep summaries sharp and on-point, we recommend checking out this guide on how to write a movie review. While the genre differs, the advice on structuring content, tone, and summary writing still applies to other assignments.
Each section of your summary should flow naturally into the next. Use academic transitions like “The author then describes…”, “Additionally…”, or “Finally, the article concludes that…” to create logical evaluation and coherence in your writing.
After completing this stage, you will have a comprehensive synopsis of the original article that encapsulates its main ideas, organization, and conclusions without veering into personal bias.
This objective snapshot will serve as a point of reference in the next step, when you finally have the chance to evaluate the information critically. Don’t wait — start learning how to assess critically now!
The critical evaluation is where you analyze the article’s strengths and weaknesses using a structured, academic lens. Examine the article’s primary argument first:
For instance, if an article review example makes a bold claim without citing a database name or peer-reviewed source, that’s a weakness worth highlighting.
Use specific examples. Don’t just say “the argument is unclear” — show it: “The author suggests a shift in student behavior but fails to provide supporting data or direct quotations, weakening the impact of the claim.” You can also reflect on what’s missing:
This section should be honest but constructive. The goal is to help readers understand the article’s academic value, not just to critique it for its sake.
Once the summary and critical analysis are complete, it’s time to write the review article! This phase integrates your insights into a well-structured academic paper. Below, you can find a useful framework that will direct your writing and guarantee that your work satisfies college-level requirements:
| Step | What to Do |
| Introduction | Start with a strong opening paragraph that introduces the original paper. Include:
Finish your introduction by presenting your overall impression of the article. |
| Summary paragraph | The next part is a focused summary. Outline the main points, the author’s methodology, and key findings in your own words. |
| Critique paragraph | This section discusses strengths, weaknesses, organization, use of sources, and the article’s contribution to the existing literature. |
| Conclusion | Conclude with a summary of your impression and suggestions for improvement. You can briefly reflect on the research article’s practical value or theoretical implications in its field. |
After all, guides are good to read, but what’s more important is practice. Let’s create a brief article review template that you may use together! This condensed overview represents the format used in academic settings and provides a clear road map for drafting your review.
Sample sentence: In “Digital Behavior of Urban Teens” by Lisa M. Harper, published in the Journal of Modern Sociology (Vol. 27, April 2022), the author explores how short-form video content affects high school students’ attention spans.
Helpful reminder: Stick to the author’s voice and message. Use paraphrased language that reflects academic neutrality. The aim is to ensure that even readers unfamiliar with the original material may comprehend its main ideas.
Sample: While the article offers compelling data on teen engagement with digital platforms, it lacks comparative research across different demographics, leaving space for future research to explore more inclusive patterns.
Example: This article provides a solid overview of climate policy, supported by recent data, but lacks depth on long-term impacts. Despite some imbalance in argumentation, it highlights legislative gaps and offers a strong foundation for future research and discussion.
A strong article review involves careful reading, critical thinking, and structured analysis.
Always begin by understanding what is a review article is — an academic evaluation of another scholar’s work, not just a summary. Follow each step logically, support your points with evidence, and maintain a formal tone. Before submission, proofread for clarity, check that all citations follow APA format, and ensure examples and academic evidence back up your evaluation. With consistent practice, this process will become a walk in the park for you!
Stay focused, trust your judgment, and remember: clear structure and thoughtful critique lead to impactful reviews!
