Lecture Notes: Critical Approaches to Writing a Critic Paper

Introduction

• Speaker: Sir NG Javier
• Episode: 6th episode of BAPP
• Previous Lesson: Discussed outlining and ease of writing through practice.
• Current Topic: Critical approaches to writing a critic paper.

Definition of a Critic

• A critic is a genre of academic writing.
• It summarizes and evaluates a work or concept.
  • Two main tasks of writing a critic:
    1. Brief summary of the item being criticized.
    2. Evaluation or judgment of that item.
• Can analyze various works:
  • Creative works: novels, exhibits, films, shows, poetry.
  • Media: news reports, feature articles.

Clarification of Terms

• Criticizing: Judging or evaluating someone or something.
• Critic: The paper or essay produced when you criticize.
• Critic (Person): The individual who performs the criticism.

Structure of a Critic

• Uses formal academic writing style.
• Follows the introduction-body-conclusion format.
• Body of the Critic: Includes a brief summary and detailed evaluation of the work.

Purpose of Writing Critics

• To gauge the importance, usefulness, or impact of a work in a specific field.
• Helps determine the quality and meaning rendered by the work.

Critical Approaches to Writing a Critic

• Various methods to write a critic, primarily for criticizing text, but adaptable to other forms.

1. Formalist Criticism

• Definition: Focuses on the intrinsic properties of literary works.
• Key Idea: Understand and appreciate a text through its elements (characters, setting, plot, conflict, point of view).
• Summary: Remember, formalism is about the text's form.

2. Reader Response Criticism

• Definition: Focused on the audience's reaction to a literary work.
• Key Idea: A text has no meaning until interpreted by a reader; personal reactions are crucial.
• Guide Questions:
  • How do you feel after reading the text?
  • What lessons did you learn?

3. Feminist Criticism

• Definition: Examines how literature portrays women in relation to socio-political, psychological, and economic oppression.
• Focus: Analyzes patriarchal aspects of culture and women's representation.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Are female characters subordinate?
  • How are male and female characters portrayed?

4. Marxist Criticism

• Definition: Addresses differences among economic classes and their impact on experiences.
• Focus: Reveals how socio-economic systems influence people's lives.
• Applications: Often evident in Filipino teleseries highlighting rich vs. poor narratives.

Recap of Critical Approaches

• Formalist: Focuses on elements.
• Reader Response: Centers on reader's reaction.
• Feminist: Concerned with women's portrayal.
• Marxist: Deals with economic classes.

Conclusion

• Thank you for attending the lecture.
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