Best examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students

Before we talk about structure or theory, let’s look at concrete examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students. Think of these as mini blueprints you can copy, adapt, and make your own.

Below are short, realistic samples (not full essays) that show the kind of writing your professors expect. After each one, I’ll point out what works and how you can borrow the move in your own paper.

Example 1: Literary analysis of a short story

Assignment type: First‑year composition, literary analysis of a short story.

Prompt: Analyze how Shirley Jackson uses setting to build tension in “The Lottery.”

Sample thesis (example of a strong claim):
In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson uses the ordinary summer setting—the clear sky, children playing, and friendly neighbors—to mask the story’s violence, showing how communities can normalize cruelty when it’s hidden behind tradition.

Sample body paragraph:
Jackson opens with a description that could belong in any small American town: “The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full‑summer day.” The detail about children stuffing their pockets with stones reads at first like playful mischief, but as the story progresses, those stones become weapons. By introducing them in such a casual way, Jackson invites readers to question how often we ignore warning signs when they appear in familiar environments. The contrast between the bright, cheerful setting and the brutality of the lottery suggests that evil is most dangerous when it looks ordinary.

Why this works:
The paragraph doesn’t summarize the whole story. It zooms in on specific details (the date, the weather, the stones) and explains how they create meaning. That combination of evidence + interpretation is at the heart of all good examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students.

Example 2: Critical analysis of a scholarly article

Assignment type: Intro to Psychology, critique of a research article.

Prompt: Critically evaluate a recent peer‑reviewed study on social media and anxiety.

Article: A 2023 study on Instagram use and anxiety symptoms among college students.

Sample thesis:
Although the 2023 study on Instagram use and anxiety among college students identifies a correlation between heavy use and higher anxiety levels, its reliance on self‑reported screen time and a single university sample limits how confidently we can apply the findings to broader student populations.

Sample body paragraph on methodology:
The study’s most significant limitation is its dependence on self‑reported Instagram use. Participants estimated how many hours they spent on the platform each day, a method that previous research has shown to be unreliable. For instance, a 2019 analysis from the National Institutes of Health found that self‑reports of digital media use often differ substantially from device‑logged data, especially among heavy users (NIH, 2019). Because the study did not verify participants’ estimates with objective data, the reported relationship between time on Instagram and anxiety may reflect perception more than actual behavior. This weakens the claim that reducing Instagram use alone would significantly lower anxiety.

Why this works:
This example of critical analysis doesn’t just say “the study is bad” or “the study is good.” It names a specific limitation, connects it to outside research, and explains the impact of that limitation on the study’s conclusions.

Example 3: Film analysis for a humanities course

Assignment type: Intro to Film, critical analysis of a movie scene.

Prompt: Analyze how one scene from Get Out (2017) comments on race and power.

Sample thesis:
In the hypnosis scene in Get Out, Jordan Peele uses camera angles, sound design, and lighting to visualize how racism strips the main character, Chris, of control over his own body.

Sample body paragraph on camera work:
As Missy begins the hypnosis, the camera slowly shifts from a medium shot of Chris on the couch to an extreme close‑up of his tear‑filled eye. This gradual tightening of the frame mirrors Chris’s loss of control; the audience, like Chris, feels trapped. When he falls into the “Sunken Place,” the camera pulls back so that his body shrinks into a distant figure floating in darkness. By moving from extreme closeness to overwhelming distance, Peele turns an internal psychological experience into a visual metaphor for being silenced and pushed to the margins.

Why this works:
The paragraph names specific film techniques and ties each one to the larger theme. Strong examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students in film classes always connect technical choices (camera, sound, lighting) to social or emotional meaning.

Example 4: Rhetorical analysis of an op‑ed

Assignment type: First‑year writing, rhetorical analysis.

Prompt: Analyze how a New York Times opinion piece about student loan forgiveness persuades its audience.

Sample thesis:
In her 2024 New York Times op‑ed arguing for expanded student loan forgiveness, the author relies on personal anecdotes, statistics from federal agencies, and an urgent tone to frame student debt as a moral crisis rather than a purely economic issue.

Sample body paragraph on evidence:
Midway through the op‑ed, the author cites data from the U.S. Department of Education showing that Black borrowers are more likely to struggle with repayment than their white peers. By naming a government agency and providing specific percentages, she signals that her claims rest on more than personal opinion. However, she does not address alternative interpretations of this data, such as the role of labor market discrimination or differences in institutional support. This selective use of evidence strengthens her emotional appeal but leaves readers with an incomplete understanding of the issue.

Why this works:
The writer looks at how the op‑ed uses evidence, not just what it says. That kind of move shows up in the best examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students in writing‑intensive courses.

Example 5: Critical analysis of a historical document

Assignment type: U.S. History survey, primary source analysis.

Prompt: Analyze a 1963 speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in the context of the Civil Rights Movement.

Sample thesis:
While Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 speech emphasizes nonviolent protest and patriotic ideals, its pointed references to police brutality and economic injustice reveal a more radical critique of American democracy than is often remembered.

Sample body paragraph on historical context:
King’s repeated use of the phrase “now is the time” gains power when placed in the context of 1963, a year marked by high‑profile clashes between civil rights demonstrators and law enforcement. Reports from the National Archives show that images of police dogs and fire hoses used against children in Birmingham had circulated widely in national newspapers. When King insists that “this is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off,” he responds directly to calls for gradual change, arguing that delay itself is a form of injustice. Recognizing this context shifts the speech from a generic call for harmony to a direct challenge to those who preferred order over justice.

Why this works:
Instead of treating the speech as timeless, the writer grounds it in its historical moment using outside sources, such as materials from the National Archives. This is a pattern you’ll see in many strong examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students in history courses.

Example 6: Critical analysis of a health article (science or nursing course)

Assignment type: Health sciences, critique of a WebMD article.

Prompt: Critically evaluate a popular health article on sleep and academic performance.

Sample thesis:
Although the WebMD article on sleep and grades correctly highlights the benefits of seven to nine hours of nightly sleep for college students, it oversimplifies the relationship by downplaying socioeconomic factors and mental health conditions that make consistent sleep difficult.

Sample body paragraph connecting to research:
The article quotes a physician who states that “students who sleep at least eight hours perform better on exams,” but it does not acknowledge that many students work late‑night shifts or care for family members. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that young adults from lower‑income backgrounds are more likely to experience short sleep duration (CDC, 2024). By ignoring these structural barriers, the article frames sleep as a purely individual choice, which may leave some readers feeling blamed rather than supported.

Why this works:
The paragraph compares a popular source (WebMD) with public health data, something you’re often asked to do in nursing and public health classes. Real examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students in these fields often focus on how well public information matches current research.

Example 7: Cultural analysis of a social media trend

Assignment type: Sociology or media studies, analysis of a digital trend.

Prompt: Analyze the “study with me” livestream trend on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Sample thesis:
“Study with me” livestreams present themselves as productivity tools, but their constant visibility and chat‑based accountability can also intensify academic pressure and blur boundaries between work and rest.

Sample body paragraph on audience impact:
Many “study with me” creators invite viewers to keep cameras on for hours at a time, turning ordinary homework sessions into continuous performance. While some students report feeling less alone, others describe anxiety when they fail to match the streamer’s pace. A 2024 survey from a university counseling center found that students who frequently use productivity livestreams were more likely to report feeling “guilty” when taking breaks. This suggests that the trend’s motivational benefits may come with hidden emotional costs.

Why this works:
This kind of example of critical analysis shows how to move beyond “this is good” or “this is bad” toward a more nuanced, mixed evaluation.

How to turn these examples into your own critical analysis essay

Looking at the best examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students is helpful, but you still need a process. Here’s a simple way to move from reading to writing.

Step 1: Read (or watch) with a question in mind

Instead of asking “What is this about?”, ask:

• What is the author or creator trying to do here?
• What choices are they making to reach that goal?
• Who is the intended audience, and how might they react?

Jot down specific moments that stand out: a surprising statistic, a powerful image, a confusing argument, an interesting camera angle.

Step 2: Choose a focused angle

Strong examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students rarely try to cover everything. They focus on one main thread, such as:

• How setting creates tension in a story
• How a study’s methods affect its credibility
• How a film’s sound design shapes emotion
• How an article uses statistics to persuade

If you can’t summarize your angle in one or two sentences, it’s probably too broad.

Step 3: Draft a working thesis

A thesis for a critical analysis essay usually:

• Names the text or object you’re analyzing
• States your overall evaluation or claim
• Hints at the reasons behind that evaluation

For instance:

• Weak: The article talks about student mental health.
• Strong: The article raises awareness about student mental health but oversimplifies treatment by ignoring barriers to accessing counseling services.

Notice how the strong version already suggests what the body paragraphs will argue.

Step 4: Build body paragraphs around specific evidence

In the real examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students above, each body paragraph:

• Starts with a clear topic sentence that supports the thesis
• Uses concrete evidence (quotes, data, descriptions)
• Explains how that evidence supports the claim

A quick test: if someone removed your quotes or examples, would the paragraph still make sense? If not, you might be summarizing instead of analyzing.

Step 5: Use outside sources wisely

Many college assignments expect you to bring in at least one outside source. That might be:

• A scholarly article from your college library
• A reputable organization like the CDC or Mayo Clinic
• An academic site such as Harvard’s Writing Center

In the stronger examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students, outside sources are used to:

• Support or challenge the original text
• Provide historical or scientific context
• Show how your text fits into a larger conversation

Avoid dropping in a quote just to prove you “did research.” Always explain why that outside source matters for your argument.

Step 6: Revise for clarity and voice

On your second draft, read your essay as if you were a skeptical classmate:

• Can you tell what the writer thinks by the end of the introduction?
• Does each paragraph clearly connect back to the thesis?
• Are there spots where you summarize too much and analyze too little?

Compare your work to a few of the best examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students you’ve seen—either from this guide, your textbook, or your professor’s sample essays. You’re not copying them; you’re checking that your essay has the same basic moves: focused thesis, specific evidence, clear explanation.

Quick FAQ about critical analysis essay examples for college students

How long should a critical analysis essay be for a college class?
Most first‑year college assignments run between 3–5 pages (about 900–1500 words), but always follow your professor’s instructions. Some upper‑level courses may assign longer research‑based critical analysis essays.

What are some common types of examples of critical analysis essay assignments in college?
Common assignments include literary analysis of a short story or novel, rhetorical analysis of an article or speech, critique of a peer‑reviewed study, film or media analysis, and analysis of a historical document or policy.

What is one example of a strong thesis for a critical analysis essay?
Here’s a concrete example of a thesis: “While the article on campus wellness promotes helpful coping strategies, its focus on individual habits ignores institutional factors—such as counseling waitlists and financial stress—that significantly affect student mental health.” It makes a clear claim and hints at the reasons you’ll explore.

Where can I find more real examples of critical analysis essays?
Check your college writing center website, your course learning management system (many professors upload sample essays), or reputable university sites. For instance, many U.S. universities host writing guides and sample papers through their writing centers or libraries.

Can I use first person (‘I’) in a critical analysis essay?
That depends on your instructor and discipline. Some humanities and social science professors are fine with first person when you’re making an argument (“I argue that…”), while lab‑based sciences often prefer a more impersonal tone. When in doubt, look at examples of critical analysis essay examples for college students from your department or ask your professor directly.

If you keep a few of these examples nearby while you draft, you’ll start to see patterns: focused thesis, carefully chosen evidence, and clear explanation. Once you can recognize those patterns in other people’s writing, you’re well on your way to producing your own strong critical analysis essays.