Critical essays in the 18th century were a popular form of literary and social commentary, fueled by a growing reading public and the rise of periodicals like The Tatler and The Spectator. These essays focused on moral, social, and political issues rather than strict methodologies, with writers like Joseph Addison and Alexander Pope offering insightful observations on contemporary life. The genre was a hybrid of literature and journalism, often written in a conversational style suitable for discussion in coffee houses.