Writing An Article

Writing An Article: 2
Types of Articles -
Reports and Reviews.

Now you've got an idea about how an article is planned and put together, let's consider a few requirements of the types of articles that are needed for web sites (in particular Story Morph and Kheris.net). Of course, it depends on the nature of the web site and I won't be covering such things as academic papers: For many sites, publications and institutions you'll have to consult their individual style guides.

Let's start with the sort of reports and reviews this site needs. Arts based ones: Art shows, theater performances, events, books, music, CD and film reviews.

Reports and reviews have much in common with an everyday news story. The first pieces of information it is vital to collect are the five W's and the H. Or as Rudyard Kipling explained it:

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
and How and Where and Who.

In a news report, these elements should be included in your first sentence which should be no more than 25 words long. With a review or report, you have more leeway: They should all be recorded somewhere in your first, introductory paragraph but you can use more words to describe them. However, this is only an introduction of the story to the reader so don't use too many!

I find it useful to start off with Who, When and Where then have What, How and Why following up the rear: It makes for a logical progression. You're wanting to whet the readers appetite for more!

Usually, these "serving-men" can be gathered fairly easily. Whether you're reviewing a film, music (CD or performance), art show or reporting an event, the details will be listed on it's advertising or amongst the pages of its program. Get these details before or after your viewing or attendance. If you're going to involve yourself in appreciating the experience, you don't want to worry about taking notes unless there's something in particular you're wanting to mention. In which case, have a discreet notepad and make short notes that will serve to remind you later (I carry a small pad in a bag or pocket). Things to include in these notes are your personal observations, feelings, observations, reactions of the crowd, descriptions etc., Key words or expressions that you might want to use in your article are always helpful to add too (say if you want to quote the performer).

After you've made your note, shove that thing way out of sight and forget about it! Participate and get involved. Your readers want to know your personal experience and you can't tell them about that if you've only been an outsider looking on!

Let's start off a review:

"It was Five Flustered Turkeys to the rescue last night when they drew a huge audience to the floundering Purple Penguin's Benefit concert!"

Who = Five Flustered Turkeys
When = last night
Where = the Purple Penguin's Benefit Concert
What = a rescue mission (to raise funds)
Why = the Purple Penguin is floundering (going out of business)
How = they drew a huge audience (and presumably, lots of funds)

Your next task is to gather any facts not covered in the five W's and a H. Use the Internet and seek out random information and follow up any ideas you've gathered from getting your five W's and a H. Look up the Five Flustered Turkeys web site. See where the program describes them as "chamber jazz" and find out what that means. Look in your notes and see where you noticed some of their fans wearing "FFT" T-shirts: Look up where these can be bought and how much they cost etc.

If you're at an event, don't worry about getting actual quotes. Talk to everyone! Chat to the chap selling the candy and ask him questions about how well the season has been going. Ask the waiter how well the audiences have been reacting to the act. Speak sweetly to the person collecting the tickets and you'll be amazed how much information they manage to collect along with the stubs! Ask them if they think the Benefit Concert will succeed in saving the Purple Penguin's butt! An added bonus to these forays into society is that you'll find your explorations greatly add to your enjoyment and appreciation of the event. Plus the staff will think you're wonderful for finally recognizing that they're the only people in the place who truly know what's going on: Be truly grateful if you get to speak to the janitor!

Remember that everyone who attends an event has a perspective on it. As do you and your opinion matters every bit as much as anyone else who is there. Most people reading your report/review want to get an idea of what it was like so they're counting on you to give them your true impressions and opinions. If you liked it or disliked it, there's a chance they'll feel the same way.

The difference between a report and a review is simple.
A report is a statement of facts. Cold, hard facts.
A review comments, makes observations and gives opinions and recommendations.
A report is news.
A review is editorial.

A report doesn't add any personal assessment. It states only what is fact. The straight information with little to no interpretation of what is unchangeable. It can still be strengthened by the addition of anecdotes, quotes and extra extension information but the role of the writer is to stay out of the way of the story/ news.

A review not only reports the facts but makes an assessment of them. This is editorial writing where interpretation and the opinions of the writer are required.

The only thing necessary in both reports and reviews are the five W's and a H. A report can include whatever information the writer cares to write about, as long as it is straight fact.

A review varies according to the subject matter and the interests of the writer.

Let's concentrate on the sort of topics the writer might choose from if they are writing up an arts review. (CD, performance, book review, art show opening etc.,)

Biographical information about the artist/s:
Web site URL's and/or books can be mentioned to provide further information to readers.

Background information about the artist's works:
Where they can be bought, comparative costs, value for money etc., Further information can always be gleaned from CD covers, press releases/media packs, programs and web sites such as the Internet Movie Database. If it's a musician or actor, you can sometimes get additional information from their agent's web site. The trick is to put your subject's name into a search engine and then keep checking URL's beyond the first few pages!

Quote the artist/writer talking about their motives for creating their art/that artwork.
These quotes can be something they've said during a show or been quoted saying in magazines or on CD covers etc., Always make sure you quote a source if it's under copyright. Another good source of material (especially when reviewing movies from time gone by) is past reviews and articles from magazines/newspapers archives.

Briefly describe what the performance or artwork is about. Summarize it.
Don't go into too much detail. Your readers only want to get an inkling of what it's about. They're trying to decide whether they want to listen/view this piece of work too and whether or not they're likely to enjoy it.

Briefly explain terms used and relate them to performance/artwork. i.e. Chamber jazz.
The trick here is to give other audience members a hook to hang their understanding or appreciation of the art work on. i.e. If your artist refers to "chamber jazz", explain it in a way that doesn't talk down to your audience. "If you love the Modern Jazz Quartet, then you're going to adore Five Flustered Turkeys! Chamber jazz at it's best with five musicians who really make the most of everything best about working in a small group." If you're not sure what something is, look it up! Chamber music = music performed by a small ensemble. Jazz = rhythmic, syncopated music, often improvised (or so says the Oxford Dictionary). Improvised = compose or perform without preparation. Explore what the program/CD cover's descriptions actually mean and include this in your review. It's guaranteed that most of your readers haven't even read the program/cover, let alone tried to work out what it means! They'll appreciate you making it easier for them to relate to the experience!

Your personal assessment of the performance/artwork.
The part reviewers get most nervous about! This is why they're called reviewers these days and not critics. Readers (including the performers/artists themselves) want your honest opinion. Decide what it is you do and do not like about your subject and be clear about what you're saying. Keep your comments focused on the particular performance/artwork you're reviewing and concentrate on both general and specific aspects. Include your assessment of other work only if it is directly relevant to what you want to say about this one.

Ambiance.

In other words, place the performance/artwork in context. Where does it fit into the overall development of the creator's career? What was the mood of the crowd or the reactions of the audience?

Feel free to include the comments/opinions of your family, friends or other audience members.

Also look at other aspects of the show/art work. Comment on a CD's cover notes and artwork, say something about the poor/good quality of the program, make a value judgment about any aspect that grabs your attention or interest.

In the end, it's totally up to you what you place into your review or report. It's your opinions and your judgment calls and that means whatever you say can't be wrong, unless you haven't done your research properly. In which case, make sure you have an enormous in-box for all the e-mails that will tell you so!