What is "critical analysis" in the context of self-expression writing?

• A. Merely restating all facts
• B. Critical analysis evaluates evidence, interprets its meaning, and shows its relevance to the main argument rather than merely restating facts
• C. Writing without evaluating sources
• D. Describing personal feelings only

Answer: (B)

Critical analysis in self-expression writing is about going beyond simply listing facts or repeating sources. It means evaluating the evidence you present—considering where it comes from, how strong it is, and what it actually supports. It also requires interpreting what that evidence means in the context of your argument and showing how it connects to your thesis. This involves weighing implications, recognizing limitations or biases, and explaining why the evidence matters to your overall claim. By focusing on evaluation, interpretation, and relevance, you demonstrate your reasoning and help readers see why your argument holds. Restating facts, writing without evaluating sources, or describing only personal feelings misses that evaluative and interpretive work and therefore isn’t true critical analysis.