Finding quality tutorials for writing reviews is difficult online and in print. There is not a set formula, but there are some points to guide your review of all the arts. Careful examination of the medium you are going to review will give you a good lead. The cardinal rule of review writing is to never give away the ending while summarizing, and to give your opinion near the last paragraph. Finding the right publication is one of the many details to consider while writing a review.
With a critical eye or ear get to know the material you choose to review. Ask questions while you do your close examination; sometimes this requires a second pass over the materials. Questions you might ask, according to Calvani and Edwards in "The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing" include: Does it flow? Is it original? Are new or unique techniques used? Is it newsworthy or timely? What is the tone?
Making notes during the performance, the reading or the viewing may be awkward, but it will help you when you begin writing. Legendary movie critic Pauline Kael was known to carry her notebook into a movie theater and take scrupulous notes. Research is required to get background information about the writers, producers, musicians or film maker. When you are finished, you should know your material and be able to support your praise or panning of the material with facts and examples.
"The agony of square one," is the definition of a lead, according to AP's Jack Cappon. The ability to let your review percolate and settle into a single paragraph that will draw your reader in is a skill to be practiced by writing again and again. An powerful lead makes a promise to the reader that something good is coming, so stay with me. An effective lead invites, informs and intrigues readers so they will continue reading to the middle of your review.
Journalist Mitch Albom ("Tuesdays with Morrie") says of leads: “I look at leads as my one frail opportunity to grab the reader. If I don’t grab them at the start, I can’t count on grabbing them in the middle, because they’ll never get to the middle. Maybe 30 years ago, I would give it a slow boil. Now, it’s got to be microwaved."
The ability to summarize the plot or the experience requires skill. The review writer must not break the cardinal rule: Never give away the ending. You can introduce the reader to the main characters and key aspects of the art without giving the whole thing away. You want to give them a reason to read, listen or go to the event.
In the last paragraph, you need to give your opinion. A review is after all your feelings and experiences with the art. Learning to support your views with quotes and examples comes with practice. Resourceful writers will move beyond statements like, "I liked this movie because . . ." or "Avoid this event. It is not worth the price of admission." A skillful review writer will weave his/her opinion with the appropriate rationale.
Paul Saevig, film critic, does not think you should review arts and entertainment as a hobby. He feels you must prepare yourself by reading great reviewers like Pauline Kael and Susan Sontag to know what great reviewers look for. He also suggests you watch as many great films as possible and learn the history of film making.
The point of reviewing is to influence someone deciding whether to spend their time and money on that form of entertainment. You want to be published to help the consumer make informed purchases and to guide them to good art. For a review writer, the reward is being read. Writing after careful research and analysis, using an effective lead, and writing a careful summary all lead to offering your opinion of the piece.