More often than not, good writing is based on the provision of evidence and facts about the topic of discussion. However, most authors fail in this sense in the manner in which they present their ideas. Critiquing of writings often brings out the weaknesses or the strengths in an argument and can lead to approval or disapproval of the same. The essay below is a critique of the kind, looking at how approvable the subject writing is.
Critique Essay
In his article titled “The Myth of the Millennials”, Koc (2008) sought to discuss whether there is really a millennial generation or not. In order to lay a foundation for his discussion, he started off by describing what the generation is. He noted that these are the people born between 1980 and 2000 and are currently the people graduating from colleges and joining the workplace. They are also known as the Generation Y or Baby Boom Echo (Koc, 2008).
He gives the characteristics of the generation, noting that they are famed for two main issues which make them legends. First of all, they are known for having a great value for the work-life balance where they are more concerned about being with their families than their career advancement. Secondly, they are known to have helicopter parents who are involved in almost all the decisions that this generation makes (Koc, 2008).
After looking at these characteristics, Koc (2008) then highlights why they are just myths but not real, indicating that the terms are just coined to fit the generation, but they are actually not real. He notes that there is no hard evidence to indicate that the characteristics associated with the generation were not present in the earlier generations. In his conclusion, he notes that the Generation Y has just grown in a good era where everything works for them.
In looking at this article in line with the critique ideas presented by Wilhoit (123), it is clear that Koc (2008) handled his assignment quiet well. The only limiting factor is that he failed to discuss more characteristics of the generation, focusing on only two of them. Basing the argument on these two characteristics might make the argument less acceptable since it might be judged as narrow. He discusses only two characteristics while there is an indication that there are actually more characteristics (Fougere, 2008).
Far from that, it cannot be said that in his brevity, Koc (2008) presented a very solid argument. The first notable aspect is that he planned and structured his article very effectively. He makes the reader understand his subject by defining the generation he is talking about and giving an overview of the same. This makes the reader have a rough idea of what the subject manner is.
His second step involves picking the specific aspects about the generation that he wishes to focus on. This gives specificity and objectivity to the article. He simply focuses on the career-life balance and the helicopter parent issues. He gives the meaning and understanding of these two. In the third step, he gives reasons and evidence as to why the above aspects are myths and not real. In using his evidence and argumentative style, he compares the generation to the preceding ones, and notes that even the past generations had similar characteristics, only that they were not very pronounced.
Lastly, Koc (2008) gives an alternative explanation as to why the Baby Boomer Echoes have these characteristics. He summarizes by noting that the evidence he provided is good enough to prove that the Generation Y is just a myth. Looking at this arrangement, the presentation of facts and ideas as well as the evidence, it can be said that Koc (2008) wrote an academically fit paper.
References
Fougere, N. (2008). 5 Key Characteristics of Generation Y. retrieved on 6th Oct. 2012 from http://www.litmos.com/industry-news/5-key-characteristics-of-generation-y/
Koc, E.W. (2008). The Myth of the Millennials. Retrieved on 6th Oct. 2012 from http://tychousa1.umuc.edu/COMM600/1209/9041/class.nsf/0c1649e1ee334b2485256b99004dd716/48e9080ce5927ab685257a6200609f89/$FILE/Koc-Myth.pdf
Wilhoit, S. (2011). Brief Guide to Writing from Readings (6th ed.). Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson.
