Y09W11VC Word Roots — -crit/-cris- (judge/decide)

A standard, rule or principle used to judge or evaluate something. The plural form is criteria.

Word Breakdown: -crit- (root meaning 'to judge' or 'to decide') + -ion (suffix forming a noun from a root or verb)

Example: The most important criterion for a strong argument is that every claim must be supported by relevant evidence.

Synonyms: standard, measure, benchmark

Collocations: key criterion, assessment criterion, meet a criterion

Involving careful analysis and evaluation; also means of crucial importance, or pointing out faults.

Word Breakdown: -crit- (root meaning 'to judge') + -ical (suffix meaning 'relating to' or 'characterised by')

Example: A critical reading of the text requires the reader to question the assumptions embedded in the author's language choices.

Synonyms: analytical, evaluative, essential

Collocations: critical thinking, critical analysis, critical perspective

To recognise or perceive something clearly, especially something that is not obvious or is difficult to detect.

Word Breakdown: dis- (prefix meaning 'apart') + -cern (variant of -cris-, from Latin cernere, meaning 'to separate' or 'to distinguish')

Example: A skilled reader can discern the author's ideological position even when it is never explicitly stated.

Synonyms: detect, perceive, recognise

Collocations: discern a pattern, discern the difference, discern meaning

To question something closely and critically, examining it in depth to uncover assumptions, flaws or deeper meanings.

Word Breakdown: inter- (prefix meaning 'between' or 'among')

Word family: interrogation (n.), interrogative (adj.)

Example: A strong analytical essay interrogates the assumptions underlying both the primary source and the critical literature.

Synonyms: question, examine, probe

Collocations: interrogate the text, interrogate assumptions, interrogate the evidence

To assess and evaluate something in a detailed and analytical way, identifying both strengths and weaknesses.

Word family: critique (n.), critical (adj.)

Example: Students were asked to critique the methodology of the study, noting any gaps in the research design.

Synonyms: analyse, evaluate, assess

Collocations: critique the argument, critique a text, offer a critique

To break something down into its component parts in order to examine it critically; to challenge the assumptions underlying a text or idea.

Word family: deconstruction (n.), deconstructive (adj.)

Example: The essay deconstructs the romantic idealism of the poem, revealing the power dynamics that underpin it.

Synonyms: break down, analyse, dismantle

Collocations: deconstruct the text, deconstruct an argument, deconstruct assumptions

To treat something as a problem worthy of examination; to raise questions about something that is usually taken for granted.

Word family: problematic (adj.)

Example: The theorist's central aim was to problematise the assumption that economic growth automatically improves social wellbeing.

Synonyms: challenge, question, complicate

Collocations: problematise the idea, problematise assumptions, productively problematise

To examine something very carefully and thoroughly, especially to find errors, inconsistencies or hidden meanings.

Word family: scrutiny (n.), scrutinising (adj.)

Example: The independent committee was established to scrutinise the government's claims about the success of the programme.

Synonyms: examine, inspect, investigate

Collocations: scrutinise the data, face scrutiny, under scrutiny

Used in academic writing to signal that the evidence or reasoning just presented provides clear proof of a point.

Example: The unemployment figures remained unchanged for three consecutive quarters; this demonstrates that the economic recovery has stalled.

Synonyms: this proves, this shows, this confirms

Collocations: this demonstrates that, this demonstrates how, this clearly demonstrates