Critical Stages (Dec 2020)
Describe, Evaluate, Argue: Teaching Criticism for Young Writers
Abstract
In this article, we will describe and discuss experiences and methods from our joint development of a writing course in which young students aged 15–19 write reviews of live concerts and performances. The course aims to teach young people to express individual experiences and opinions, to reflect on how they experience performing arts differently, dare to disagree and learn to express and build opinions and arguments about live art in a classroom as well as in writing in a larger public space. Criticism is normally written by adult professionals. What happens if young people are invited to review a professional concert of classical music in a local newspaper? How can a writing assignment on live music or performing arts challenge pedagogical or social hierarchies in a class of students? Could the competence of describing and expressing opinions about performing arts be relevant for other school subjects, beyond an artistic context
