Under are solutions to your questions on writing, judging, the principles and instructing with this contest. Please learn these completely and, if you happen to nonetheless can’t discover what you’re on the lookout for, publish your question within the feedback or write to us at LNFeedback@nytimes.com.
Questions About Writing
What’s a overview?
In a cultural overview, a reviewer experiences a murals or tradition, asserts an opinion about it, and backs up his or her claims with compelling proof.
On this sense, a overview is like an argumentative essay. That is what makes a overview greater than only a e-book report: a reviewer has to learn (or watch, or hearken to, or expertise) a piece intently; analyze it and perceive its context; and clarify what’s or isn’t significant, attention-grabbing or related about it.
In different phrases, don’t merely summarize or describe the work you’re reviewing. State an opinion and help it with particulars to make your case.
How can I make my overview stand out?
We’re primarily on the lookout for critiques that assert an opinion in regards to the work being reviewed — whether or not constructive or unfavorable — and have one thing recent, significant and attention-grabbing to say about it. However we’re additionally on the lookout for writing that’s vivid, participating and enjoyable to learn.
A number of items of recommendation:
Categorical an opinion. Your overview ought to each inform your viewers in regards to the work you’re reviewing and talk your mental, emotional and visceral expertise of it.
Again up your opinions with related and descriptive particulars from the work itself. The extra particular you may be, the higher.
Convey readers into the expertise with you through the use of sensory photographs. Metaphors, similes, descriptive adjectives, sturdy verbs, vivid imagery that attracts on all 5 senses — these are the distinction between overview and a terrific one.
Be conscious of your viewers. You might be writing a overview for The New York Occasions, so your readers will embody a broad cross-section of individuals and also you’ll want to present acceptable context for individuals who may not be acquainted with the work you’re reviewing. On the identical time, remember to take note of the artistic work’s target market. For instance, in case you are reviewing a online game supposed for 10-year-old ladies, intention to write down a overview that might be helpful for 10-year-old ladies (and their dad and mom).
I’m undecided what to write down about. The place ought to I begin?
That will help you perceive the function that criticism performs in your life already and hone in on a subject that feels attention-grabbing and significant to you, you may begin by responding to at least one or all 4 of those writing prompts:
Then, learn some critiques. You’ll find many within the Arts part of The Occasions, in your native or faculty newspaper, or in your favourite web site. You can even try the winners of this contest from earlier years (linked within the Assets part above).
Is there something I can’t write about?
We invite you to overview something that matches right into a class of artistic expression coated by The Occasions. For instance, you could possibly overview BTS’s newest album as a result of The Occasions critiques music; however you could possibly not overview Santa Cruz decks and wheels as a result of The Occasions doesn’t overview skateboards.
