How do I find critics to use in my essays, and how do I use them effectively?

Using critics in essays can be a daunting step up from GCSE to A-level English but it's easy when you know how, and if you follow these steps you'll miss the most common mistakes people make.Firstly, make sure you're citing from reputable, academic sources. This isn't Sparknotes, or the first thing that comes up on a Google search, and it's definitely not Wikipedia! I recommend using Google Scholar - this works just like a normal google search but will limit the search to academic articles, and filter out all the waffle. There's loads of good stuff on there, just make sure your search is specific and relevant to your argument. You could also try using your texts available at your school's library, whether that's online, or in print. In terms of using the sources you find, it's crucial that you use the quotations critically. Don't just take what someone else says as fact! Interrogate and engage with what this critic is saying - don't just name drop and move on to the next point. You can do this by finding evidence to support, or contradict the critic's point (or both), and then explain your view afterwards. It may also be useful to consider where these sources came from - who wrote them and when, and how does this influence their opinion of the text? It's also more effective to keep critical quotations short, this makes it easier for you to pick out specific nuances in their phrasing for you to critically engage with.