A review of the three Meersman pieces—"bitten by the food bug," "confused but content," and "rethinking the national arts festival"—as a purported "body of work."

 Writing reviews involves assessing and critiquing a work of art, such as a book, film, play, or product. A review's objective is to give an overview of the work and assess its merits and shortcomings. A helpful review should be objective, fair, and informative, giving readers all the details, they must decide whether to engage with the work under consideration. 

Journalism in the form of reviews is peculiar. A reviewer always provides their opinion, despite most journalism and education emphasizing the importance of objectivity. After spending months or years understanding the importance of the "inverted pyramid" framework of news writing, review and feature writing allow for a less constrained writing style. (Joshua Hollis, 2014) 

According to Joshua Hollis, when evaluating, avoid exaggerated terms, both favorable and negative (the word "fantastic" is used far too carelessly in many reviews), and attempt to maintain a degree of neutrality when judging your subject. Does the new One Direction track truly a "generation-defining piece of musical brilliance," or do you believe Harry Styles accidentally favorited your tweet from two years ago? 

A well-known journalist, reviewer, and author from Cape Town, Brent Meersman has had his work featured in numerous newspapers and journals both domestically and abroad. Three pieces from Meersman were published in 2015: "Bitten by the Food Bug," "Confused but Content," and "Rethinking the National Arts Festival." These pieces demonstrate his capacity to analyze and assess societal and cultural events. 

The piece "Bitten by the Food Bug" by Meersman provides an in-depth analysis of the many food markets in Cape Town. He leads readers on a tour of the city's gastronomic offerings, highlighting the flavors, aromas, and general vibe of each market. Because of his colorful, captivating, and descriptive language, Meersman transports the reader to the setting where he experiences the cuisine. His candid and knowledgeable personalized comments on each market make it simple for readers to decide where they want to go on their own. "Food culture has exploded to the point where everyone has become a 'foodie' and proudly states where they have been for breakfast, lunch, and supper" (Meersman, 2015). This article offers an in-depth analysis of the author's dining experience and is an instructive and interesting food review. The food is brought to life by Meersman's use of sensory details and descriptive language, and the review is given a human touch by the author's anecdotes. But some readers might think the writing is a little too verbose. 

"Confused but Content" is a review of the yearly Grahamstown (now Makhanda) National Arts Festival in South Africa. Meersman evaluates the festival, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages. He assesses the festival by describing his experiences at many events, such as plays, comedies, and musical acts. The conversational and educational writing style of Meersman gives readers a critical and honest view of the festival. "I am a white South African and I feel no guilt for that. I am also confused by it. And I am content with it" (Meersman, 2015). The author's journey toward self-acceptance and self-discovery is discussed in this piece. It is reflective and well-considered. Meersman uses plain language and first-person narrative to make the essay readable and engaging, and the author's vulnerability provides the writing emotional depth. However, some readers might think the prose is a little disjointed.

Meersman examines the National Arts Festival's challenges and cultural relevance in "Rethinking the National Arts Festival," which takes a larger look of the festival. He criticizes the festival's programming, pointing out its lack of diversity and Eurocentric attitude. The critical and provocative writing style of Meersman raises significant issues regarding the festival's place in South African culture. "The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is a wonderful institution. But it is not diverse. It is not representative of South African cultural diversity" (Meersman, 2015). In this article, Meersman analyzes the National Arts Festival in South Africa critically, casting doubt on the festival's accessibility and inclusivity. The article is well-researched and educational thanks to Meersman's use of statistics and examples to back their contention, and the author's call to action heightens the seriousness of the problem.  

Meersman has kept up a prolific writing schedule since penning these articles in 2015, covering a wide range of subjects. He has written many works, including "Five Lives at Noon," a novel set in Cape Town, and "Primary Colored," a collection of short tales. He has also worked as a journalist. Along with these activities, he has supported independent bookstores and promoted literacy through several cultural and social projects.