Writing Reviews Notes
Critic V. Review
A review is:
Part of journalism,
part commentary,
part geek obsession
Criticism is:
Study, evaluation,
and interpretation of
the arts
Review topics- pick
three you would be
interested in from this
list:
Travel advice
Graphic extras:
Food - restaurants
2.add a rating system
Consumer goods
3.make reviews even
more reader friendly
by adding fast-fact
boxes
Reviews are:
Less theatrical
answering “is this
thing worth my time
and money?”
How to write
criticism that gets
good reviews.
(don’t write anything
here)
Structure your
reviews.
Balance reporting
and opinion.
Know your stuff.
Don't try to:
What is the
suggested outline?
Structure your
reviews don’t
ramble
Finish this
sentence: Outline
the key points
Be aware of your
biases.
Tips:
1. Get to the
point
Fast Facts:
Please write your
definition of fast facts
A set of facts that are
easy to detect, quick
to understand and
read.
Eschew pomposity.
A successful review
combines fact and
reaction– information
and insight
Trick is:finding the
right balance
How many
paragraphs of a
synopsis is good?
Two or three
paragraphs is Penney
What should you
provide (last
paragraph) accurate
details (descriptions,
background history,
sample dialogue, etc)
Don’t be cruel.
Fake it
explain.
For example if you
don’t know brahmas
for Beethoven, don’t
even think about
reviewing an
orchestra
OTHER DON’TS.
And compensate
accordingly
Finish this
sentence:
Transcend your
personal
predjudices
DON’TS CONT.
Don't write negative
reviews of amateur
concerts or children s
okay
Don’t get personal.
Criticize the
performance not the
performers private life
- appearance political beliefs - etc
Everybody’s is a
critic
What does this
mean!?some critics
like to show off their
erudition with
sentences such as
“patterns of imagery
or fragments of
significance are
oracular in origin and
derive from the
epiphanic moment
the flash of
instantaneous
comprehension with
no direct reference in
time.”
Be tough
BUT
Be fair
Use your position to
inform your readers
not to insult their
tastes
Reveal surprise plots
or story endings
Add unnecessary
Phrases
Avoid vague
adjectives like
boring, awful and
fantastic .
Substantiate your
opinions with
descriptive detials