How critical you are depends on how strongly you believe something is right or wrong. This depends on the amount of reading and thinking you have done on the subject, and the amount of support you can find for your stance. You also need to support your critical comments (especially negative ones) with evidence and supporting points.

Direct criticism and frankness is something that English speakers do not necessarily appreciate. Learn to express your criticism and disagreement by using various polite phrases and techniques.

1.	Give a compliment before the criticism. Remember the point you mention last, is likely to be the one you will give more details about.
	Example:	For the most part this argument provides a clear analysis of the causes of poverty in the developing world, but it fails to mention the effect of civil war in some countries.

2.	Make tentative statements rather than direct, categorical ones.
	a)	Tentative phrases include:
		often… generally… to some extent… it appears that…	sometimes… suggests that… seemingly… it would seem…	in some cases… to a certain extent… arguably…

	b)	Use ratheror somewhat in front of negative adjectives
		Example:	This approach is rather rigid /or Wilkinson (2011) takes a somewhat rigid approach.

	c)	Use medium-strength adjectives, adverbs and nouns (depending, of course, on what your opinion is).
		Example:	This view slightly/ somewhat underestimates the level of poverty in urban areas (rather than ‘seriously’)

	d)	Use softening or hedging verbs such as: seems to, appears to, suggests, indicates and tends to
		Example:	This view tends to neglect….

	e)	Use limiting words such as possible or possibly, probable or probable, likely.
		Example:	It is possible that the use of a different model… It is likely that this substance in large amounts may be harmful…

	f)	Use modal verbs as they change the strength of the main verb and indicate that there is room for doubt.
		Examples of modal verbs:	may or may be might, might be or might have been could or could be or could have been would or would have been

3.	Put a reason before the criticism to soften it, to show you feel the negative point is to some extent understandable.
	Example:	Because the aim of this article is to focus on attitudes during the cold war, it naturally does not take into account the changes in global alliances in recent years. (Rather than ‘this analysis is wrong’)

4.	Find an appropriate opposite of a really negative word and use it with not or not very
	Not	This view of economic development is simplistic.
	Better	This view of economic development is not very sophisticated.
	Or	This view of economic development might/ could be more sophisticated.

5.	Use a second conditional ( about the present) or a third conditional (about the past), to make a constructive suggestion rather than a totally negative criticism.
	Example:	The UN is very weak. If the UN intervened more readily to prevent civil wars in developing countries, economic development might/could/would have more chance of improvement.

6.	If there is a writer that you disagree with, compare his/her views with those of other writers and make it clear you agree with the other writers. One advantage of this strategy is that you can demonstrate that you have read widely and critically, noticing the differences in opinion that exist in the literature, and have come to your own conclusions about who is right.
	Example:	Andrews (2011) argues that it is possible to view economic development without reference to social or political issues. It is clear, however from the work of both Smith (2010) and Jones (2011) that these issues cannot be separated from each other. For example,…

7.	Make a direct comparison with other writers:
	Example:	This argument, however, is less persuasive than that of Jones (1998), who claims that…

8.	Avoid emotive words
	Not	He dislikes the USA
	Better	This argument is critical of the USA

9.

In discussions, disagree with another speaker in a polite, indirect manner. Never try to intimidate or insult another speaker or ridicule his/her contribution. Don’t use comments like 'that’s stupid' or 'you're wrong'. Never use an angry or aggressive tone of voice. Disagree and argue appropriately.

	a.)	Acknowledge another speaker’s point
		Example:	I can see your point, however... That's a good point, but... I see what you're getting at, but... I think (name) made an interesting point…

	b.)	Disagreeing with a previous speaker
		Example:	(name) said that _____. I disagree because… (name) said that _____. However, in my opinion… I can't agree with what (name) said about ___. In my view…

	c.)	Explain why you disagree
		Example:	That's not always the case because... That's not necessarily true because... This idea isn't supported by statistics/evidence... I thought the author meant that... I’m afraid I disagree with your point about…

	d.)	Offer your opinion complete with reason and support
		Example:	From what I've read... The statistics seem to indicate that... I think what (author's name) may be suggesting is... Other studies by (author's name) show that... I would just like to add a point here.

Note:

Handling criticism isn't always easy, but it can always be helpful if taken with the right attitude and perspective. Next time you are in the hot seat, don't get defensive, but rather remember that criticism is one of the most effective learning strategies.

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