What is a critical essay? task

My knowledge of Educating Rita has been enhanced by reading the comments posted onto the discussion board by other group members. By each posting our ideas onto the discussion board we were then able to collaborate one paragraph which demonstrated all of our ideas. The points raised by individual members helped to clarify my idea that Rita thought as long as she had answered the question correctly then she should gain a good mark even though she had put little thought or effort into her analysis. I think that the process of reading other peoples paragraphs will have a positive impact on my essays in the future. This is because I can refer back to the comments and ensure that I have addressed all of the points that make a critical essay. It is also very useful as the exercise has helped me to check whether or not my idea of what makes a critical essay is similar to that of other people.