Arts & Entertainment

Style Box

When writing A&E columns and reviews, be sure to look up the following common AP style entries:

  1. composition titles
  2. CD, DVD, MP3
  3. annual events
  4. numbers (e.g. No. 1)
  5. movie ratings
  6. rock 'n' roll
  7. theater
  8. trademarks

   Arts & Entertainment columns speak to the needs of the public at large. While based on fact, the writer must frame the material in such a way as to make an argument for or against something.

  As such, opinion pieces can be seen as inflammatory since someone in the public will not agree with the viewpoint expressed. In my opinion, a good column will rub someone the wrong way.

   A&E writers write under the assumption they know what is best for the general populace. One can consider Arts and Entertainment columns and reviews to be editorials as writers give their views why people should buy particular music, see certain movies or support the local arts scene.

   The key to a good A&E piece rests on putting forth a valid argument based on fact: the more facts you bring into a piece, the more likely it will be published. Nobody wants to read the unsubstantiated opinions of a blowhard. Glynn Wilson provides some information about critical reviews:

Writing Critical Reviews

Rules of thumb on writing critical reviews.

1. Review an art form you like and know something about. If you love going to art museums, and reading about art history, write about that. If you love movies, theater, or a specific genre of music, try that.

2. Don't give away the entire show, plot, or story line. Leave something to the audience.

3. Use specifics and details rather than generalities. In other words, it's not enough to say: "The KISS concert was awesome. You should have been there." What was it about the concert that made it awesome? Was it the complicated chord structure of the music (not)? Was it Gene Simmon's incredibly long tongue? You get the picture.

4. Show, don't tell. It's not enough to say the movie or book was great or terrible. What about it made it work or not work for you?

5. Avoid ecstatic adjectives such as beautiful, awesome, etc., which smack of weak editorializing anyway. Be descriptive and give the reader some reason not only to like the event you are covering, but your account of it.

6. To be a critic, you must be an expert. Immerse yourself in the field. Ask yourself: Why would anyone want to read my opinion of this? For students, it might be best to engage in straight reporting about the arts.

7. If you do express your opinion in a column or review, make a firm argument. Avoid wishy-washy fence straddling. Newspapers and magazines are full of this, but don't be mislead by the mediocre who survive among us.

Book Review Essentials

Elements every book review should contain, and a few recommendations.
  1. A brief synopsis of the book's story line, without revealing the ending, of course.

  2. An objective evaluation of the writing and organization of the book, putting it into some context, such as other books in the same genre or by the same author.

  3. Every piece of research and writing has some weakness worth pointing out. A glowing evaluation is useless without at least some attempt at being critical in the analytical sense.

  4. Many book reviews reveal something about the author, usually something relevant to the theme of the review itself.

  5. What is the difference between a book review and a book report? A book report is a high school level assignment designed to demonstrate that you have read the book and understand it. A book review is designed to demonstrate that you can not only a read a book and understand it, but that you can critically analyze the structure and content of the book, and write a coherent piece of journalism about it for a mass audience. In this class, it should demonstrate that you can place the book in some interpretive context.
   As Wilson shows, writing an Arts & Entertainment column isn't necessarily easy. After you've brainstormed for a topic, research so you know the facts. You can use computer-assisted research, personal interviews, library documents and archives. You cannot over-research an idea.

   You should always consider taking the less popular stand. Though you may not play Devil's advocate, don't feel compelled to represent the majority opinion.

   Finally, write a thesis statement about what you want to cover. For example, a topic such as music can be too broad. Focus on a central theme. Remember, you must make an argument — simply saying music is good won't cut it. Provide a viewpoint that is an arguable statement. What do you advocate? More shows on the UAM campus? Better music for the masses?

   Organize the structure by sorting facts that support the thesis and argue against it. Know the viewpoint you have to refute. Can facts be used to argue both side? Are the facts relevant to the argument? If not, discard those for another day.

   Once you decide on a thesis and have the supporting facts, now you can write. Begin with a creative, thoughtful and specific statement about a problem in the lead, but wait to indicate your stand on the issue until the follow-up paragraph. Be clear rather than eloquent. You can help clarity by giving a preview statement to let the reader know where you plan to go.

    After you've stated your position, recognize the strongest opposing argument. Then switch into a strong argument in favor of your position. Build on your previous point with a stronger point, backed by facts and examples.
 

Ron & Macy
Ron and Macy
   Save your strongest argument for last, leaving the reader with something to ponder (and discouraging rebuttal). End on a call to action. Restate your thesis in different words, then leave the reader with something extra, e.g. a revisit to the initial problem or a vision of a possible future. Finally, remember that good writing comes from exhaustive editing. Misspellings and factual errors will doom a great piece, so edit, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit ... did I say you need to edit?

   You may choose to write an A&E story or review. For a story, you might focus on an artist or poet, or perhaps a historical or current event. Reviews can cover music, art or literature. This review focuses on Widespread Panic, a band which caused me to shave my body hair when they played Nashville's River Stages in 1998, as evidenced here with my niece Macy. A review I wrote for the Little Rock Free Press touched on the lack of media exposure for the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame dinner, while also providing some exposure for my little brother's former band. More recently, a look at the new Art Scene in downtown North Little Rock examines how people are finding better ways to spend Friday nights outside of bars.

If you don't understand something in this Web note, please e-mail Dr. Sitton.

İRonald W. Sitton 2007
Revised 062609 — http://www.uamont.edu/FacultyWeb/sitton/crz/ntro/ae.html