TOEFL essay sample: Artists should pay little attention to their critics

[Preetigm]

Hi Alan/ Torsten,

Please review my essay. I am kinda scared about my writing skills. Kindly give me your expertise comments

Thanks in advance,

Preeti, India

"Artists should pay little attention to their critics.* Criticism tends to undermine and constrain the artist's creativity."
*those who evaluate works of art, such as novels, films, music, paintings, etc.

"Creativity" is a vital characteristic that distinguishes an artist. What makes an artist recognized is the originality and authenticity involved in his art.On the one hand, criticism helps in broadening the artists perspective. It helps in giving a different view on the same work of the artists. However, criticism could also smudge an artists thoughts and his creativity. Criticism, when in excess, has a negative impact on the work of the artist. Although, in my final analysis, I believe that an artist should definitely consider criticism which may enhance their work. However, he should ignore criticism that could inhibit his thoughts and hinder his creativity.

The key for an artist to be recognized is to be creative, trying to do new and innovative things. A successful artist is one who can market himself. That is, an artist who is able to sell his thoughts to the public. For example, consider the making of the movie 'Water'. Originally this movie was to be shot in Varnasi, India. However, this movie received brutal castigation as it was story involved the life of a Hindu widow and her desires to break free from the cultural bondage that exists in her town. However, this did not dither the director of the movie, Deepa Mehta. Instead she went ahead to complete the movie. It was shot entirely in Sri Lanka and received support from the Canada government. Today, the movie has received an Oscar nomination for the best foreign language movie.Thus, we can see that if the artists listen to their critics and oblige to them, dreams remain unfulfilled and ideas are buried even before they are born.

Another ingredient for a successful artist is flexibility. Artists may become so involved with their work that their thoughts and ideas may get narrower. An artist's eyes get covered and he sees what he wants to see. The artist should pay attention to unbiased criticism. Various schools like the London school of music, teaches an artists the various styles of music to encourage the development of the artist in that individual. Artists are similar to a seed. Seeds to develop to a small plant and finally to a big tree providing shade for all. On the same lines, artists are like seeds. Their need to survive, thirst to grow, develops the artists. The critics nurture the growth of the artist finally to a big tree. The artists then shares his thoughts with the world.

An artists is recognized for the development and uniqueness of his work. Various ingredients make an artist successful. New stories , new themes make a novelist and filmmakers recognized. New tunes, new melodies make a musician successful. Different use of colors, conveying thoughts and ideas make a painter unique. Everyone loves surprises. Surprises from the artists , recognizes the artistic talent. All though, I agree that criticism may create a positive impact on the artist, I also believe that over criticism may hinder the growth of the artist. During such cases the artist must not lose his individuality. The artist must know, to make differences matter. Sometimes, winning the talent war, it takes a revolution.

[Shri]

Hi Alan,
can you evaluate my essay too?
Thanks in advance,
shruthi

"Artists should pay little attention to their critics.* Criticism tends to undermine and constrain the artist's creativity."
*those who evaluate works of art, such as novels, films, music, paintings, etc.

Though artists and critics comply to do their piece of creative work and evaluation, there is a little bit of overlapping that influence their work. There is a possibility that an artist can either ignore or completely consider the remarks given by a critic. But it would be beneficial to him if he assimilates only what is profitable and discount all the other remarks. There are many reasons for an artist to consider or not consider his critics' statements and not weaken his creativity.

First of all, since there is no harm or it would not change an already created art, an artist can always listen to all the comments made by his critics' rather than obscuring himself by not paying any attention and be falsely contempt with his work. It should be noted that some of the remarks can help the artists to improve and stay in competence with others.

Secondly, the critics' evaluation may not be always undermining but can also extol the artist's imagination in his works. He can accept and disseminate an artists talented work and its uniqueness, thus bringing about name and fame to the artist. Therefore, not all critics become a hinderance to the artists imagination.

Thirdly, if the critics statements counteracts with the artists work, he is just giving his point of view on the art and it is not a decree for the artist to follow all the critics' views. Though the criticism may have some defamation, the artists' novelty maybe emphasised when the critic point outs his remarks.

Finally, an art or creativity or freshness or talent in the artists work should not be a subproduct got out of the influence made by the critic and deface artists identity. So, it is purely incumbent upon the artist to differentiate between critics remarks and on the other hand not seclude oneself from his evaluation.

[Alan]

HI,

Though artists and critics AGREE to do their piece of creative work and evaluation, there is a little bit of overlapping that influenceS their work. There is a possibility that an artist can either ignore or completely consider the remarks given by a critic. But it would be beneficial to him if he assimilates only what is profitable and discountS all the other remarks. There are many reasons for an artist to consider or not consider his critics' statements and not weaken his creativity.

First of all, since there is no harm or it would not change an already created art, an artist can always listen to all the comments made by his critics rather than obscuring himself by not paying any attention and be falsely CONTENTED? with his work. It should be noted that some of the remarks can help the artists to improve and REMAIN IN COMPETITION with others.

Secondly, the critics' evaluation may not always UNDERMINE AS IT can also PRAISE the artist's imagination in his works. He can accept and disseminate an artist's talented work and its uniqueness, thus bringing about REPUTATION and fame (FAME AND FORTUNE) to the artist. Therefore, not all critics ARE a HINDRANCE to the artist's imagination.

Thirdly, if the critic's statements CLASH with the artist's work, he is just giving his point of view on the art and it is not AN ORDER for the artist to follow all the critic's views. Though the criticism may CAUSE some defamation, the artist's novelty may be emphasised when the critic point outs his remarks.

Finally, an art or creativity or freshness or talent in the artist's work should not be a subproduct CREATED OUT of the influence made by the critic, WHICH defaceS artist's identity. So, it is purely incumbent upon the artist to differentiate between A critic's remarks and on the other hand not HIDE oneself from his evaluation.


Make sure you keep the noun singular or plural (critic/critics artist/artists) and use singular or plural through the whole piece. Don't keep changing from one ot the other.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story In Order

[Alan]

HI,

"Creativity" is a vital characteristic that distinguishes an artist. What makes an artist recognized is the originality and authenticity involved in his art.On the one hand, criticism helps in broadening the artist's perspective. It helps in giving a different view on the same work of the artist. However, criticism could also BLUR an artist's thoughts and his creativity. Criticism, when in excess, has a negative impact on the work of the artist. Although, in my final analysis, I believe that an artist should definitely consider criticism which may enhance their work. However, he should ignore criticism that could inhibit his thoughts and hinder his creativity.

The key for an artist to be recognized is to be creative, trying to do new and innovative things. A successful artist is one who can market himself. That is, an artist who is able to sell his thoughts to the public. For example, consider the making of the movie 'Water'. Originally this movie was to be shot in Varnasi, India. However, this movie received brutal castigation as it was A story THAT involved the life of a Hindu widow and her desires to break free from the cultural bondage that exists in her town. However the director of the movie, Deepa Mehta DIDD NOT DITHER. Instead she went ahead to complete the movie. It was shot entirely in Sri Lanka and received support from the CanadIAN government. Today, the movie has received an Oscar nomination for the best foreign language movie.Thus, we can see that if the artists listen to their critics and oblige them, dreams remain unfulfilled and ideas are buried even before they are born.

Another ingredient for a successful artist is flexibility. Artists may become so involved with their work that their thoughts and ideas may get narrower. An artist's eyes ARE BLIKERED and he sees what he wants to see. The artist should pay attention to unbiased criticism. Various schools like the London school of music, teach artists the various styles of music to encourage the development of the artist in that individual. Artists are similar to a seed. Seeds develop INto a small plant and finally to a big tree providing shade for all. On the same lines, artists are like seeds. Their need to survive, thirst to grow, develop artists. The critics nurture the growth of the artist finally to grow INTO a big tree. The artist then shares his thoughts with the world.

An artist is recognized for the development and uniqueness of his work. Various ingredients make an artist successful. New stories , new themes make a novelist and filmmakers recognized. New tunes, new melodies make a musician successful. Different use of colors, conveying thoughts and ideas make a painter unique. Everyone loves surprises. Surprises from the artists , recognizes the artistic talent. ALthough, I agree that criticism may create a positive impact on the artist, I also believe that over-criticism may hinder the growth of the artist. IN such cases the artist must not lose his individuality. The artist must know, to make differences matter. Sometimes, winning the talent war, it takes a revolution.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A day in the life of a student teacher