STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION AND WRITING

Critical Review

Skills Needed to Review

Critical thinking and writing

Requires an object (book, story, musical piece, work of art) which does not have an independent existence.

Critical Review Skills (cont)

A review needs to admit limitations, conduct research, and be aware that response must be both intellectual and emotional

Critical Review Skills (cont)

The object will be placed on a scale of values so one can’t think in terms of simply good or bad. To be valid, one must avoid either end of the spectrum.

Critical Review Skills (cont)

The critic must articulate his or her reaction. The critic must exhibit exemplary standards of writing!

In reviewing, there are few greater virtues than precision. Words like “smash hit” or “best ever” may challenge the credibility of the reviewer.

Critical Review Skills (cont)

A critic must be an eternal student. One can never have a large enough pool of comparisons, backgrounds, or resources.

Critical Review Skills (cont)

So in order to be a critic, one must decide what standards, beliefs, and values to bring to criticism.

“There is no character howsoever good or strong that cannot be destroyed by criticism, however poor and witless. . . “

Writing a Critical Review

What standards should a writer consider?

History

Where does it fit into history?

What influenced the artist’s history or lifestyle?

What era was the work created?

What “role models” influenced the artist?

Does the artist show growth in his/her work?

Creativity and Originality

Fresh? Interesting approach? Is it merely a rehash of an existing formula? Does the author raise the bar for future works? Does the artist experiment/ introduce uncommon theories or patterns in a

catching or unexpected way? Imagination evident? Has the theme been copied? Overdone? Is the work “shaded” or simply “black and white”? Would you want to experience this work more than once?

GENRE

What make similar works popular?

Are influences of patterns in the same genre evident?

How would you classify this work?

Is the author stuck in this genre or is creativity evident?

Focus and Theme

Does the work have a theme? Cohesiveness?

Is it clear or does it ramble?

Is the central theme balanced? (line, lyric, background)

Climactic format? (builds the reader, viewer, listener)

Evident pattern of organization? (threads and glue)

Audience

Is the work being judged on its appeal to its intended audience?

Can the intended audience relate to the piece?

Other Considerations

Recognize the need for support of like work or other works by the artist.

How does it fit into tradition? (folk, rock, impressionism, mystery)

Discover meaning and organizing principle.

Does it evoke and emotional response?