Purpose of Criticism

The purpose of criticism is to gain social significance and scholarly significance. The first, social significance the critic would appreciate programming vis-à-vis his or her own culture. They are not going to make an opinionated comment but instead be able to critique something because on their own specific culture. They will also help the industry scrutinize specific programs’ productions, writing, direction, camera work, sound, sets, costumes and other aesthetic values. They must also examine the social and cultural values, ideology, possible meanings, codes and the representation of social distinctions such as race, sexuality and age. A scholarly significance to criticism would allow a critic to advance or critique theory and method to comprehend, analyze, interpret and evaluate television programs. They would also examine some conceptual and theoretical implications of a program. It is also important for a critic to ask how the message fulfills the creator’s purpose, how it shapes identities, ideas and actions and does the message present the world truthfully and ethically. These are ideas that are supposed to be tested by the critic.