Definition of critical essay. A critical essay is a form of academic writing in which a writer evaluates and analyzes a text. It could be a book, an article, a film, etc. In this type of writing, the main goal is not to convince your audience but to create an informative analysis. You must offer your interpretation and prove it with facts. Best Essay Writing Sites 1. 99Papers – Best Essay Writing Service Overall With an average rating from trustpilot. 6 positive reviews, it is one of the most trustworthy and.