Critique writing

Econ 2302 Principles of Economics II (Micro) Page 4 of 6

Article Critique Assignment

To help you learn and understand economics this semester, you will write one Article Critique based on any news media

(newspaper, Internet, news magazine, etc.) article. The article critique must be current and must be pertinent to a subject

covered during our course.

You should choose one of the following subjects for your Article Critique:

Article Topics may include

Marginal Analysis Price Elasticity of Demand

Production Costs Monopoly

Pure Competition Oligopoly

Monopolistic Competition The Economics of Pollution Permits

Public Choice Theory The Economics of Health Care

Income Inequality and Poverty The Economics of Taxation

Anti-Trust Policy and Regulation Labor Markets

Government and Market Failures

Your topic should be chosen from a reputable newspaper, a news magazine, or the Internet. If you have any doubt

about the applicability of your article, please bring it to me first and we’ll discuss it. You MUST attach the article

to the Article Critique!

Article Critique Format

The 37.5-point Article Critique will consist of at least one page, typewritten, double-spaced, using good grammar and

excellent written English. The report must contain the following elements:

 The first paragraph should be a summary of the article in your own words. If you are having a problem and must

use the author’s words, be sure to use the proper citation. The first paragraph should be one-third of the

paper.

 The second paragraph will analyze the topic and “connect” it to the economic subject we have studied in class. In

this analysis you will first define and then describe the subject as we have discussed it in class; and then you will

show how the article relates to the economic idea. You should use your critical thinking skills here! The second

paragraph should be one-third of the paper.

 The third and final paragraph should evaluate one strength and one weakness of the article. It should also tell

the reader whether the article exhibits normative or positive economic reasoning. The final paragraph should be

one-third of the paper.

Grading Rubric

o 8.25 pts. will be given for a well-written summary of the article.

o 8.25 pts. will be given for the correct definition of the economic subject.

o 15 pts. will be given for a good analysis of the article and how it applies to one of the economic subject areas.

o 2 pts. will be given for the article’s strength(s).

o 2 pts. will be given for the article’s weakness(es).

o 2 pts. will be given for discussing why the author uses either positive or normative economic reasoning.