Write an introductory paragraph to your critical essay that sets up the story. This paragraph should give the author's name and a brief overview of the story that mentions the setting, the main character, the main character's goal and one or two of the obstacles to that character's goal.
Discuss the opening of the story in your second paragraph. Tell readers whether or not the story's opening offers an effective hook that encourages readers to turn pages. Dicsuss whether or not the opening begins in the past or present, if the main conflict is introduced right away, and how the opening sets up the rest of the story.
Discuss the plot of the story for between five and eight paragraphs. Point out the conflicts and turning points in the story, as well as how the characters relate to one another through the course of the story. These paragraphs are the focal point of your essay. Discuss whether or not the story was well paced. Use short examples to show how the author used metaphor or symbolism in his story. Look for subtext (meaning beneath the text) and demonstrate how the author used his surface story to tell a deeper story.
Discuss dialogue. Use examples that demonstrate how the author used dialogue to effectively move the story forward or to illustrate how the dialogue may have fallen flat or seemed untrue to the characters and story. If you're critiquing an unpublished story, make suggestions to the author that will help her improve these elements.
Discuss the overall tone and voice of the story. Show your readers, by example, if the story is positive or negative. Discuss the story's point of view and whether or not it was a good choice for the story.
Wrap up your essay with one or two paragraphs that state whether or not this is one of your favorite types of story, how this particular story measured up to others you've read, and whether or not you recommend it to others. Give concrete reasons for liking or disliking the story overall.