An article review concisely summarizes a study, evaluates its methods and evidence, and offers a clear judgment backed by credible citations.
Need to write an article review and not sure where to start? You’re in the right place. This guide walks you through a fast, honest process that keeps your writing clear, fair, and well supported. You’ll learn how to read with purpose, map the argument, judge the evidence, and then present a balanced verdict that a grader can trust.
We’ll keep things practical: plain language, a structure, and repeatable steps. The goal is simple—deliver a review that sums up the article, weighs its strengths and limits, and explains what readers can take from it. Ready? Let’s get to work.
What An Article Review Does
An article review does three jobs. First, it gives a brief, accurate summary of the work. Next, it evaluates how the study was done and how well the claims match the data. Finally, it states your judgment in one or two firm sentences and supports that judgment across the body of the paper.
Your task isn’t to attack or cheerlead. Aim for balance. Give the author credit where it’s due, point out gaps that matter for readers, and suggest fixable steps or follow-up questions.
Common Review Targets And What You Deliver
| Article Type | Main Aim | What Your Review Delivers |
|---|---|---|
| Empirical study | Test a question with data | Judge design, measures, sample, data work, and fit between results and claims |
| Theoretical piece | Propose concepts or models | Check clarity, logic, scope, and real-world usefulness |
| Case study | Explain a single case in depth | Assess evidence quality and limits on generalization |
| Systematic review | Summarize many studies with rules | Check search strategy, inclusion rules, bias checks, and synthesis |
| Methods paper | Introduce or compare tools | Weigh transparency, reliability, and how well examples show the tool in action |
Writing An Article Review: Step-By-Step Outline
1) Set A Clear Purpose
Write one sentence that names the field, the topic, and the course or outlet. That sentence keeps you on track and guards against plot drift.
2) Read Smart, Then Close
Skim the title, abstract, headings, and figures to sketch the map. Then read closely with a pen. Mark the research question, central claims, methods, and results. Note any leaps in logic or missing steps.
3) Capture Full Citation Details
Before you draft, note authors, year, article title, journal, volume, issue, pages, and DOI or URL. That saves time later and cuts errors in your reference list.
4) Map The Article On One Page
Use five bullets: question, thesis or claim, method, evidence, and what the author says it means. Keep the wording short and neutral. This page becomes your summary backbone.
5) Evaluate Methods And Evidence
Ask straight questions. Is the sample large enough? Do the measures match the question? Are the stats or logic sound for the claim being made? Are limits named and handled with care?
6) Judge The Argument
Now weigh reasoning. Look for clear definitions, stated assumptions, and counterpoints that the author handles well—or ignores. Note where conclusions go beyond data.
7) Position The Piece
Briefly place the article within its field. Does it confirm common findings, refine them, or raise a live dispute? A sentence or two is enough.
8) Draft Your Thesis For The Review
Write one sentence that names the article and gives your verdict. Sample line: “Smith (2024) offers a clear test of X with strong measures, yet the narrow sample limits claims about Y.”
9) Write The Introduction
Hook the reader with the topic in one line, give full citation details, and end the paragraph with your thesis for the review. Keep it lean.
10) Build An Objective Summary
One to three paragraphs should summarize the purpose, method, and main findings. Use present tense for what the article claims and past tense for what it did.
11) Present Your Evaluation
Organize by theme: design, measures, data work, reasoning, writing quality, and relevance. Lead each paragraph with a clear point, then back it with brief proof from the article.
12) Add Fair-Minded Suggestions
Offer concrete steps: extra controls, broader sampling, clearer definitions, or added visuals. Suggest where the work could be applied or tested next.
13) Close With Takeaway Value
End with two or three lines that state who benefits from the article and under what conditions. Avoid new claims here.
14) Revise For Flow And Clarity
Read your draft aloud. Trim repeats, remove jargon, and swap vague words for plain ones. Check that every paragraph points back to your thesis.
15) Check Paraphrases And Quotes
Paraphrase most points and reserve quotes for terms of art or standout lines. Keep page numbers for any quotes.
For phrasing and balance, many students use the UNC Writing Center critique handout as a quick language guide. For references, see the official APA Style journal article reference examples to format entries without guesswork.
Structure That Works For Most Assignments
Opening Paragraph
State the topic in plain terms, give complete citation details, and present your verdict. Keep it under six lines.
Objective Summary
Lay out purpose, method, data, and main findings. No side comments or praise here. Think of this as the neutral part.
Evaluation
Now bring your case. Start with the strongest point, then move to limits that truly shape how readers should use the findings. Weave in quotes only when the exact wording matters.
Implications And Suggestions
Point to where the article helps a course topic, a practice setting, or a next study. Name two to three concrete actions or checks.
References
Match in-text citations to one clean list at the end. Double-check author names, years, titles, and DOIs.
Criteria And Red Flags
Strength Checks
- Clear question that stays the same from start to finish
- Methods that fit the claim and are described with enough detail to repeat
- Transparent data handling and justified choices
- Claims that match figures, tables, or quoted passages
- Limits named early, with a real plan to manage them
Weakness Clues
- Tiny or skewed samples presented as widely general
- Measures that don’t match the stated construct
- Selective use of results or missing checks
- Bold claims in the title or abstract that fade in the body
- References that are dated or only from one camp
Helpful Sentence Moves
| Move | When To Use | Example Line |
|---|---|---|
| Balanced praise | Open an evaluation paragraph | The design is clear and the measures are reliable, yet the sample is narrow. |
| Evidence link | Tie a claim to proof | This claim follows from Table 2, where the effect holds across both groups. |
| Scope limit | Prevent overreach | These results apply to first-year teachers in urban schools; other settings may differ. |
| Actionable fix | Offer a next step | A short pretest of the survey would catch wording shifts that affect scores. |
| Fair counterpoint | Note a reasonable alternative | An alternate reading is possible if attrition is tied to workload instead of treatment. |
Tone, Style, And Originality
Keep the tone steady and professional. Use active verbs and short sentences. Hedge only when the evidence is mixed. Words like “seems” or “suggests” help you stay fair without sounding weak.
Paraphrase with real rewording, not just shuffled phrasing. Quote sparingly and integrate quotes into your own sentences. Mark any claim that relies on someone else’s words with a citation. That habit protects you from overlap and shows care for sources.
Citation And Formatting Basics
Follow the style your course or journal asks for. In APA, include author, year, article title in sentence case, journal in title case and italics, volume, issue, pages, and the DOI link. In MLA, lead with author and article title, then journal, volume, issue, year, pages, and a stable link. Chicago offers both notes and author-date forms; pick the one named in your brief and keep it consistent.
Check hanging indents, double spacing where needed, and exact punctuation. Small fixes raise the perceived quality of your work.
Checklist Before You Submit
- One-sentence thesis that states your verdict
- Objective summary that a neutral reader would accept
- Evaluation paragraphs led by clear points and backed by evidence
- Two or three fair suggestions that build on the work
- All paraphrases in your own phrasing, with page numbers on quotes
- Consistent in-text citations and a clean reference list
- Headers, page numbers, and line spacing that match the brief
- File name that includes your name, course, and date
Sample Outline You Can Reuse
Title Line
Review of “Full Article Title” by Author Surname, Year
Introduction
Topic and context in one line; full citation; thesis for the review.
Summary
Purpose, method, data, and main findings in one to three paragraphs.
Evaluation
Design, measures, data work, reasoning, and writing quality—one paragraph per theme.
Implications
Who can use the findings, where they apply, and what to try next.
References
Style-perfect entries that match your in-text citations.
Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes
- Overlong summary. Trim to what a reader needs to grasp the study. Save space for evaluation.
- Vague verdict. State a clear stance in the first paragraph and keep linking back to it.
- Evidence not cited. Tie each claim to a page, table, figure, or line from the article.
- Harsh tone. Critique the work, not the author. Aim for firm but civil language.
- Template drift. Keep the order: intro, summary, evaluation, implications, references.
- Style slips. Check numbers, italics, capitalization, and DOIs against the style guide.
One last tip: build your review in a split screen with the article on the left and your draft on the right. That simple setup speeds cross-checks and keeps paraphrases honest.
Print once, read aloud, and carefully mark rough spots before submission.