Critical Writing and Reviewing

1. Explain the principles of critical writing and reviewing.
2. Apply the theories and methods of criticism to various art forms.
3. Differentiate between reviews and critical articles.
4. Evaluate the components of criticism, including the critic, direct data, and indirect data.
5. Write effective reviews and critical articles for different media.
6. Develop a personal style of critical writing.

13 weeks, about 26.5 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Meaning of Critical Writing · 1.5 hours

     Read the definition of critical writing and identify its key elements.. Reflect on the importance of appraisal, evaluation, and judgment in criticism.. Consider how critical writing expresses opinions and demands deep knowledge of the subject matter..

   • Unit 2: Critical Writing and Critical Thinking · 1.5 hours

     Explore the relationship between critical writing and critical thinking.. Identify the skills required for effective critical thinking, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.. Understand how critical thinking helps produce clear journalistic writing..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Critical Writing and other Forms of Writing · 2 hours

     Distinguish critical writing from other forms of writing, such as broadcast commentary and editorials.. Understand the unique characteristics of critical writing compared to news and feature writing.. Explore the role of column writing in expressing opinions on diverse matters..

3. Week 3Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Functions of Criticism · 1.5 hours

     Examine the function of information in criticism and its role in reporting.. Understand how criticism influences readers and serves as a guide.. Explore the promotional and advertising functions of criticism in the media industry..

4. Week 4Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Theories of Criticism · 2 hours

     Describe the authoritarian theory of criticism and its emphasis on fixed standards.. Explore the impressionistic theory of criticism and its focus on personal impressions.. Compare and contrast the two theories, considering their strengths and weaknesses..

5. Week 5Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Approaches to Criticism · 1.5 hours

     Examine the moral approach to criticism and its use of ethical principles.. Understand the psychological approach and its application of psychological tools.. Explore the sociological approach and its evaluation of art within its social context..

6. Week 6Module 3:

   • Unit 1: Components of Criticism: The Critic · 2 hours

     Define and classify the background of critics, including their knowledge, interests, and tastes.. Describe how a critic's background and prejudices can affect the work being appraised.. Reflect on the importance of objectivity and open-mindedness in critical analysis..

7. Week 7Module 3:

   • Unit 2: Components of Criticism: Direct Data · 1.5 hours

     Highlight the variables that can make or mar criticism, such as material, form, and workmanship.. Understand how these elements contribute to the overall quality of a work of art.. Apply the material-form-workmanship formula to appraise different art forms..

8. Week 8Module 3:

   • Unit 3: Components of Criticism: Indirect Data · 2 hours

     Explain what indirect data is in critical writing, including the artist's intention and the work's position in history.. Understand how indirect data can be useful in criticism, but also potentially misleading.. Consider the importance of judging each work solely on its own merit..

9. Week 9Module 4:

   • Unit 1: Writing a Review · 1.5 hours

     State how to write reviews, including the use of reporting and opinion.. Construct a critical review, following the traditional inverted-pyramid pattern of news writing.. Consider the importance of the beginning, main body, and ending of a review..

10. Week 10Module 4:

    • Unit 2: Writing a Critical Article · 2 hours

      Identify a critical article at first sight and understand its conventional features.. Learn how to write a good critical article, following a step-by-step process.. Explore the importance of research, analysis, and presentation in critical writing..

11. Week 11Module 4:

    • Unit 3: The Reviewer and the Critic · 1.5 hours

      Differentiate between a reviewer and a critic, understanding their distinct roles.. Explore the objective reporting of a reviewer versus the subjective reporting of a critic.. Consider the different audiences and purposes of reviewers and critics..

12. Week 12Module 4:

    • Unit 4: The Critic's Style · 2 hours

      Describe the style of a critique, including the use of short sentences and simple words.. Understand the importance of tone in criticism, avoiding banality and pomposity.. Cultivate your own style through reading, writing, and self-criticism..

13. Week 13Module 5:

    • Unit 1: Reviewing the Fine Arts · 2 hours

      Discuss the nitty-gritty of art reviews, including the challenges of reviewing subjective art forms.. Understand the importance of material, form, and workmanship in appraising art.. Explore the role of the art review in providing news and analysis of art exhibitions..

    • Unit 2: Reviewing Books · 2 hours

      Assess the value of books and understand the reasons for reviewing them.. Explore the process of reviewing books, including note-taking and classification.. Consider the importance of style, content, and judgment in book reviews..