|
Writing arts and entertainment reviews
|
The entertainment beat is always a popular one for student
journalists. And why not? Most people would love a chance to
read a book, check out a new cd or watch a movie and then offer
their own opinion on it!
But in order to write a review that will make an impact on
the reader, you need to include a bit more than your thoughts
and opinions. |
 |
The review follows a basic structure, which
can be used to critique any kind of artistic activity whether
it's a book or writing of any kind, live performance (dance,
music or theatre), recorded music (cds), or visual art.
- In the opening paragraph, the reviewer offers a description
of the book, cd, play, movie or concert and explains whether
it was a positive or negative experience to watch, read or listen
to it. This is the reviewer's thesis or the main argument they
would like to make about this work.
- In the next few paragraphs of the essay, the reviewer sets
out to prove that thesis. If the book or movie was excellent,
the reviewer will focus on the elements that make it work so
well, including characters, scenes, dialogue, description, pace,
plot line, and theme. If it was flawed in some way, the reviewer
will try to establish that by offering evidence of those flaws.
The same is true for music -- if the reviewer says this is a
group's best album in years, then he or she needs to offer some
reasons and some examples of why this is true.
- At the end, the writer leaves the reader with an overall
opinion of the work in question and a recommendation on whether
or not the book, movie or cd is worth their time and money. The
reviewer may discuss some of the thoughts and feelings he or
she was left with after this work.
Here are some tips for writing a review:
- Don't re-tell the entire story when you are reviewing a play,
novel or movie. You can usually give the reader a sense of what
the plot is in a few sentences. Then, you can move on and explore
the way the writer handled the story and what the writer did
to make the characters and story come alive.
- Don't tell the reader that the play was great, the concert
was boring or the book was exciting. Show them why you
think that way by giving examples from the work itself and offering
reasons for your opinion.
- Compare and contrast the book (or cd or play) in question
to others in its genre to give your reader a sense of how it
stacks up. If you are reviewing a cd by a new singer/songwriter,
you may want to compare their music to an artist that your readers
will be familiar with.
- Do a little research about the artist to give yourself a
better sense of who they are and why they write, paint or sing.
Those details may add to your review and give your readers a
full appreciation of the work and the artist.
Once you have written a review, share it with a wider audience
through your school newspaper and SNN. SNN publishes monthly
and regularly features arts and entertainment reviews. For more
information, contact the SNN coordinator at: snn@stemnet.nf.ca
.
|
