Chapter18 Writing about Arts

Critics and Columnists

Words

1.delude[dɪ'lu:d]

So don't be deluded that criticism is an easy route to glory.

to make someone believe something that is not true; to deceive 欺骗，蒙骗

例：He's deluding himself if he thinks he's going to be promoted this year.如果他认为今年将获得提升，那他是在自己骗自己。

2.Kafkaesque [ˌkæfkəˈesk]

used to describe a situation that is confusing and frightening, especially one involving complicated official rules and systems that do not seem to make any sense

From the name of the Czech writer Franz Kafka, whose novels often describe situations like this.

例：My attempt to get a new passport turned into a Kafkaesque nightmare. 

3.buff

The reader deserves a movie buff who will bring along a reservoir of knowledge, passion and prejudice.

wine/film/opera etc buff

someone who is interested in wine, films etc and knows a lot about them

THESAURUS

▪ expert someone who has a lot of knowledge about something or skill at doing something: a computer expert | an expert on beetles | It’s best to ask an expert.

▪ specialist an expert who has studied a particular medical or technical subject for a long time and knows much more about it than other people: She is a specialist in corporate finance. | My doctor sent me to see a heart specialist.

▪ authority an expert whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respected: The professor is one of the world’s leading authorities on African art.

▪ connoisseur /ˌkɒnəˈsɜː/ an expert on food, art, literature, or design, who has had a lot of experience and knows when something is of very good quality: He was a connoisseur of fine wines. | His works are popular among connoisseurs.

▪ buff /bʌf/ informal someone who is very interested in a subject and knows a lot about it: a wine buff | Jazz buffs will be familiar with the band’s first album.

▪ virtuoso /ˌvɜːtʃuˈəʊsəʊ / an expert player or performer: The piece was played by violin virtuoso Pavel Sporcl. | a virtuoso pianist

4.reservoir['rez.ə.vwɑ:r] 

■a place for storing liquid, especially a natural or artificial lake providing water for a city or other area 水库；蓄水池

■a large supply of something 储备；储藏；宝库

例：tapping into the vast reservoir of information available on the Internet

仿：The universities  are reservoir of knowledge.

Reflections:

 关于写好评论，其中一点就是要具体描述。比如评论《人类简史》这本书，不要空洞的说这本书好，而应该指出他在哪些地方好：可读性强；揭露了很多事物发展的本质；观点新颖不断打开读者的脑洞。这样读者才能有直观的印象。

其实在其他领域中这种具体的描述方法也同样适用，这也是我一直在要求自己做的事情。比如每天对于其他小伙伴们的评价，不能直接说好或者不好，而是要说出原因。因为这也是一个大脑思考的过程。