INSTRUMENTAL II
WRITING A REVIEW
Writing a Review
WHAT IS A REVIEW AND HOW DO YOU WRITE ONE?
TYPES OF REVIEWS?
Reviews – GENERAL CATEGORIZATION
Formal REVIEW>> A formal assessment of something with the
intention of instituting change if necessary.
Semi-formal REVIEW>> A critical appraisal (?) of a book, play,
film, etc. published in a newspaper or magazine.
Academic REVIEW>> Such as a Literature Review (part of a
degree dissertation)
An informal review is usually a short piece of writing that
describes and critiques a piece of work (e.g. films, series,
books, restaurants, events) and provides a recommendation.
A review includes both positive and negative points and
usually ends with a personal recommendation.
REVIEW – THINGS TO CONSIDER
PURPOSE
AUDIENCE
STYLE AND REGISTER
When writing a review, you should pay attention to the audience and
moderate your language accordingly. For instance, if you are asked to
write a book review for teenagers, you should use an informal tone
with less sophisticated vocabulary. On the other hand, a formal
review is sophisticated and uses formal register. For instance, you
cannot uses contractions (I’m, you’re) ellipsis (...), and personal
abbreviations.
INFORMAL REVIEWS
An informal review should be written in an informal
or neutral register, this means:
you CAN use phrasal verbs,
you CAN use idioms
you CAN use contractions
you CAN be creative!
THE MAIN PARTS OF A REVIEW
● Summary/Overview
● Evaluation (positive and negative aspects)
● Recommendation
COMMON REVIEW STRUCTURE
Title
Use the name of the film, book or restaurant.
Introduction
Identify what you are reviewing (actors, director etc..).
Try to catch the reader’s attention (ask a question, etc.).
1st body paragraph
Describe the book, film, restaurant
2nd body paragraph
State the positive and negative aspects
Conclusion
Summarize your review with a recommendation
Depending on whether or not you have liked the work (e.g. a film), your review
can be more be or less positive. For instance, if you liked the film, you can
mention more positive aspects, but make sure to mention the shortcomings in
at least one sentence. This shows the strength of your critical thinking and
gives the impression of objectivity.
Example 1:
Book Review for Teenagers
Journey To Juno, a must-read!
Journey To Juno is the second book of the Galaxy Zack series. It is just as good as the first
one. It's awesome!
Zack joins the Sprockets Academy Explorers Club at school. They fly on a special trip to
Juno, a new planet no one has ever visited. Zack gets paired up with Seth, the class
bully, and that's dreadful but Zack is excited when he finds a huge galaxy gemmite. A
gemmite that large had not been found in 100 years! Kids will love this book!
Boys and girls will both like it. It's an easy chapter book with pictures on every page. I
love the illustrations. I think ages 6-8 would like this but younger kids would like the
story being read to them.
My favorite parts are the galactic blast game (it is similar to baseball except there are
robots playing), recess at Zack's school where everything is 3D holographic images, the
rainbow river in a crystal cave on Juno, and the galaxy gemmite that Zack finds on Juno. I
also loved when a life-size holographic image of his Earth friend appears in Zack's room
because he calls him on a hyperphone. I give this book one hundred stars! There is a "to
be continued" at the end so you have to read the next book see what's in store. I can't
wait to find out what happens!!!
Proper use of language
When writing a review, pay attention to the proper use of vocabulary. For instance, if
you are reviewing a film or series, you should use special terms such as cast, plot,
character, special effects, location, setting, stunt team, genre, soundtrack, etc.
If you are reviewing a book, you may mention the writer, characterization, plot, setting,
cover, design etc.
You should also use proper grammatical structures. For instance, pay attention to the
verb form in the following sentences:
I would strongly recommend booking in advice.
I would strongly recommend that you book in advance.
Example 2: Restaurant Review
Writing focus activity in Unit 5
Homework
Write a short review (no more than 150 words) of your favorite restaurant, bar
or disco in Granada, and bring it with you to the scheduled writing seminar
session.
