Shanessa Fakour's Manifesto

A critic offers a confident and knowledgeable opinion on the fine arts. The role of the critic is indeed critical, as many times the fine arts are the first programs cut from schools and the first sections cut from newspapers. The critic gives a wake up call to people who think they do not care about the fine arts. The critic’s assertive, inquisitive opinion reminds others of their own critical voice, which is easy to forget sometimes. Through music, performance, book, movie and food reviews, critics do their part to hold artists to standards and inform audiences if their time should be spent elsewhere.

Before taking this critical writing course, I admired and respected critics. I read book, movie and music reviews online and in print. However, I felt skeptical that I could be an effective critic. I worried that my opinions would seem uninformed or even incorrect. One of the first things I learned from this course is that it is okay to go against the grain. People are interested in a critic’s honest and informed opinion. If I could learn to trust my instincts and feelings toward a piece of art, then I was capable of writing a solid review on it, even if my interpretation of the art varied wildly from the majority’s interpretation. Professor Boyd taught me that there is no wrong opinion. As long as a critic can support his or her opinion, then it is one worthy of being published.

If I was hired as a critic at a newspaper, I would approach my job with excitement, enthusiasm and open-mindedness. I would feel excited that in this struggling economy, newspapers are still hiring critics to fill their fine arts sections. My enthusiasm would be carried into each assignment, as I love being involved with the fine arts. I would want to remain open-minded as a critic because I expect to receive negative and positive feedback from my editors and audience on my reviews. As hard as it may be to give a negative review of something, I suspect it is harder to hear negative comments on my writing. However, if I continue to learn from critiques, I will grow as a writer and a critic. There is no need to fear others' opinions or my own because at the end of the day we should all remember that opinions are like assholes – everyone has one.

Tahni Segars' Manifesto

Throughout the course of this critical writing class, I’ve learned that everyone has a voice. Everyone has an inherent quality of being a critic. I started out believing that to be a critic of art, books, movies, etc., you needed thorough knowledge of that subject matter; however, I’ve become aware of the readers of these reviews. Readers don’t necessarily want to read a review with technical jargon that only experts are familiar with. They want to know what John, Sarah, Catherine, or whomever from down the street, the next cubicle over, or the grocery store think about the newest Brad Pitt flick. Does a critic need to do his/her research? Yes. But they don’t have to be an extraordinary guitarist or novelist to relay an opinion on a new Beck album or Grisham’s current bestseller.

As a critic in today’s journalism realm, I would pay specific attention to what readers want. With so many technological advances on the Internet, it’s easy to track online followers and keep up with their thoughts via comments and trackable clicks. In my experience, my strengths lie in reviewing restaurants, food and art. In these areas of public interest, it’s important to keep up with new establishments in the community as well as current and upcoming visual and performing art exhibits.

I think a common misconception about the critic, is that they are the stuffy guys in the corner, studying the menu with a magnifying glass, a blazer with suede elbow patches and a finely tuned knowledge of all things haughty and pretentious. But today’s critic is no further than your own couch.

People will continue to want opinions on upcoming television shows, new chefs and award-winning performances before they spend their hard-earned dollars, especially in the current economic situation. Critics and reviewers have a future. Whether it’s printed on the pages of the local Times or Post, or you find all your info online through friends, Twitter, Rotten Tomatoes or blogs, the ever-changing role of the critic will always be needed.

Caroline Buttimer's Manifesto

As a graduating senior with a big question mark for a future, I walked into the classroom in mid-August for Journalism 5590 with a spark of hope: “Maybe THIS will be my trade! Maybe I will be the next great critic.” While I’m not sure if I’ll be the next New York Times critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for my work, I have found that reviewing is something that I enjoy and at which I excel.

As the face of journalism changes with each new day and morphs into a new mélange of media outlets, I can’t be certain of what my career will look like or where it will take me. However, I do know that I will be using many of the skills I’ve acquired this semester as a critical writer.

This course has shown me that I was already a critic before I was taught to be one; we all use critical skills to determine our actions and to make decisions. Refining this skill is the key to becoming a professional critic.

I anticipate facing many challenges over the course of my career due to the change in the national discourse among journalists and critics. At this time, our foremost challenge as the new generation of journalists will be finding our place in the media today as publications go online and the public produces citizen journalism. As critics, we will have to hone our skills and build a repertoire of experience in order to be trusted over others. We will have to be knowledgeable critics who produce fair assessments of books, art, music and food based on prior experiences while at the same time allowing for others to present their opinions to us, as well. Our job then is to help people determine what is worth spending their time and money on; in turn, we as reviewers impact the formation of their cultural opinions, as well. What could be a more important job than that?

While the changing outlook for print media does affect criticism, I believe the future for critics is exciting. It is a new time for the journalism industry, and we are the lucky ones who get to shape the landscape of the future. I know I’m up to the task.

Candice Phillips' Manifesto

I would hate for people to be feel that they are not experienced or educated enough to consider themselves a critic as I once did. Perhaps it was that I did not value my own opinion. I never realized how easy it was to be a critic. In fact, I never noticed my constant use of judgment in the form of criticism to determine my every move. Whether a critic is being paid to publish his/her opinion or if it is simply a conversation between friends, we are all critics. Every day we are faced with decisions which require critical thinking; what we are going to wear, what we are going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner and what music to listen to on the way to work.

The difference between a conversation among friends involving criticism and a publication involving criticism is the ability to defend the opinion in a tangible medium. Published critics have the opportunity to share their opinion with more than just their coffee buddies. Due to their power to publish they are faced with the responsibility to start the conversation allowing for opposing opinions.

A critic is simply an unsolicited advisor. A critic’s love for food, art, music or books is what drives them to share their experience with others in hopes that others will want to enjoy a similar experience. They find something they love and are encouraged to tell others why they feel this way.

One of the most important roles of a critic is to answer the question “why?” Without answers to this question there is no reason to trust what the critic is preaching. Critics earn their credibility by telling readers “why” without them having to ask.

Today’s arts and culture critics face the challenge of separating themselves from every other critic in the world of the Internet. How do we know who to trust? How do we know who to listen to? Find a critic you identify with and stick with them. As a critic, we have to stand firm in our opinion and hope that we have an audience with which we connect. It takes courage to put yourself out there as a critic and let others criticize your criticism.

I see the future of criticism growing steadily on the Internet. Some publications will continue to have critics on staff but more people are finding access to the Internet, giving them a medium to publish their opinions.