1. Entertainment section and writing reviews
Hi-Lights I
Entertainment section and writing reviews

2. Entertainment Section
Mainly reviews (often as columns), but also includes:
Pop culture beat stories (popular TV shows, trends, etc.)
Amusing features (history of coca-cola, movies in trilogies, messy locker, etc.)
List of upcoming local events

3. Reviews – often as columns
Movies
Concerts/live performances
CDs
Books
Games
Restaurants
ALSO – products, events, just about anything else

4. Reviews - functions
Economic function of media – reviews inform people about new products/releases
Reviews can persuade someone to see/not see movie, performance, etc.

5. Reviews
A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon.
A review is a commentary, not solely a summary . . .
Three important parts:
Concise summary
Critical assessment: your reactions – what’s noteworthy
recommendation – suggests whether the audience might like it

6. Reviews - guidelines
Critics offer personal opinion of subject matter – can editorialize, but should follow good taste and understanding of audience.
FAIR COMMENT – libel defense protecting your opinion in reviews; as long as your comments are based on fact, it’s all good . . .
Try to be somewhat balanced – don’t focus only on the negatives or the positives
Reviewers should review a diverse body of work – don’t stick to familiarities

7. Reviews - guidelines Be detailed
Name directors, performers (real name in parentheses), etc.
Include information about the 5 senses from your viewpoint
Goal is to convey the experience of what you are reviewing
Use “I” sparingly
READ, READ, READ