What skills does a critic need?

A critic needs 22 essential skills including interview techniques, editorial standards, writing techniques, rhetoric, spelling. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace critic jobs?

The AI disruption score for critic is 69/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2642

critic

Critics write reviews of literary, musical and artistic works, restaurants, movies, television programs and other themes for newspapers, journals, magazines, radio, television and other media. They evaluate theme, expression and technique. Critics make judgements based on their personal experience and knowledge.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (22)

interview techniquesinterview techniquesThe techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.editorial standardseditorial standardsThe guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.writing techniqueswriting techniquesThe different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.rhetoricrhetoricThe art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.participate in editorial meetingsparticipate in editorial meetingsParticipate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.study topicsstudy topicsCarry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or ...evaluate writings in response to feedbackevaluate writings in response to feedbackEdit and adapt work in response to comments from peers and publishers.interview peopleinterview peopleInterview people in a range of different circumstances.stay up to date with social mediastay up to date with social mediaKeep up with the trends and people on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.critically reflect on artistic production processescritically reflect on artistic production processesCritically reflect upon processes and outcomes of the artisitc production process in order to ensure quality of experience and/or product.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...follow ethical code of conduct of journalistsfollow ethical code of conduct of journalistsFollow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.use specific writing techniquesuse specific writing techniquesUse writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.build contacts to maintain news flowbuild contacts to maintain news flowBuild contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general publi...write to a deadlinewrite to a deadlineSchedule and respect tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio projects.follow the newsfollow the newsFollow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.analyse the comments of selected audiencesanalyse the comments of selected audiencesIdentify and summarise recurring and distinctive elements in comments from selected, trusted audiences.

Optional (30)

literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.musical instrumentsmusical instrumentsThe different musical instruments, their ranges, timbre, and possible combinations.food materialsfood materialsQuality and range of raw materials, half finished products and end products of a specific food sector.photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.musical genresmusical genresDifferent musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.art historyart historyThe history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.food sciencefood scienceThe study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food and the scientific concepts underlying food processing and nutrition.food hygiene rulesfood hygiene rulesThe set of national and international regulations for hygiene of foodstuffs and food safety, e.g. regulation (EC) 852/2004.types of literature genrestypes of literature genresThe different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.history of dance stylehistory of dance styleThe origins, history and development of the dance styles and forms used, including current manifestations, current practices and methods of delivery in a chosen dance style.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.film studiesfilm studiesThe theoretical, historical, and critical approaches to films. This includes the narrative, artistic, cultural, economic, and political implications of cinema.desktop publishingdesktop publishingThe creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.musical theorymusical theoryThe body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.press lawpress lawThe laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.create online news contentcreate online news contentCreate and upload news content for e.g. websites, blogs and social media.apply desktop publishing techniquesapply desktop publishing techniquesApply desktop publishing techniques to create page layouts and typographic quality text.check correctness of informationcheck correctness of informationCheck if the information contains factual errors, is reliable, and has news value.analyse trends in the food and beverage industriesanalyse trends in the food and beverage industriesInvestigate trends in foodstuffs related to consumers preferences. Examine key markets based on both product type and geography as well as technological improvements in the industry.attend performancesattend performancesAttend concerts, plays, and other cultural performances.proofread textproofread textRead a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.manage writing administrationmanage writing administrationManage the financial and administrative side of writing including making up budgets, maintaining financial records, checking contracts, etc.manage personal financesmanage personal financesIdentify personal financial objectives and set up a strategy to match this target in seeking support and advice when necessary.promote one's writingspromote one's writingsTalk about one's work at events and conduct readings, speeches and book signings. Establish a network among fellow writers.rewrite manuscriptsrewrite manuscriptsRewrite unpublished manuscripts to correct errors and to make them more appealing to the target audience.write headlineswrite headlinesWrite titles to accompany news articles. Make sure they are to the point and inviting.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...read booksread booksRead the latest book releases and give your opinion on them.provide written contentprovide written contentCommunicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelli...write captionswrite captionsWrite captions to accompany cartoons, drawings, and photographs. These captions can be humorous or explanatory.