Writing Part 2 - Review

Task information

• The review task in Part 2 tests your ability to describe and express a personal opinion about
something you have experienced (e.g. a TV programme, a holiday or a product) and give your
opinion of it, with a recommendation to the reader.

• You read a description of the topic and then write a review of it in 140—190 words. You
should allow about 40 minutes for this task, including time at the end to check your work.

• The instructions also tell you where your review will be published (e.g. on a travel website).
You therefore have to write in an appropriate style.

• You should write full sentences and try to use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling, and
a good range of language.
General advice:

A review is usually written for an English-language magazine aimed at teenagers and the reader
is assumed to have similar interests to the writer. Address the reader directly. Write in a neutral,
semi-formal style.
Give your review a clear and logical structure.

• Give your review a heading

• Introduce the topic in an interesting way (by asking a question or mentioning an example) but
give no details.

• In the second paragraph provide a brief description of what you are reviewing and say
something, for example, about the main characters if you are reviewing a play.

• Deal with one aspect of the topic at a time.

• Give supporting evidence.

• Make your review as interesting as possible by using descriptive language.

• In your conclusion, briefly summarise why the item you are reviewing is worth the reader's
time. You could also say to whom you would recommend it.
PROPOSED REVIEW PLAN:

Heading: Review of (name of the product you are reviewing)

Introduction: (in an interesting way) write about the product, or thing you have
experienced, you are reviewing

Body:
Second Paragraph: cover the first aspect of the review
Third Paragraph: cover the second aspect of the review
Fourth Paragraph: cover the third aspect of the review

Conclusion: Indicate whether the reviewed product is or isn't worth the time of the reader.

REVIEW ESSENTIAL TIPS AND VOCABULARY

• When writing a review you must follow all the rules of an article and essay writing.

• When writing a review of a book, film or play you must provide a brief summary of the story
and say something about the main characters in the second paragraph. To do this well you must
follow all the rules of story writing.
ESSENTIAL TIPS

General advice:

A review is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The

purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has
experienced (e.g. a film, a book, a play, a TV programme, an exhibition, a place your have
visited, holiday, a product, a website, etc) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the
item discussed is like. Description and explanation are the key functions for this task, and a
review will normally include a recommendation to the reader.

USEFUL VOCABULARY

Descriptive language
Adjectives: splendid, exciting, boring, thrilling, funny, ridiculous, outrageous, marvellous,
life-changing, entertaining, enjoyable, amusing, pleasurable, emotional, thoughtful, considerate,
powerful, great, informative, educational, enlightening
Adverbs: splendidly, especially, particularly, outrageously, brilliantly, amusingly, unexpectedly,
thoughtfully, dramatically, powerfully, extraordinarily, greatly

Film-related vocabulary

Types of film: action film, science fiction, romance, historical novel / film, mystery, detective,
fiction, non-fiction, (auto)biography, period film, comedy, thriller (a film that tells an exciting
story about murder or crime), horror film.
Film-related expressions​

• The film is set in England of the 1950s​

• Itis written by ...​
• The main characters ...​
• The plot / story / book/ film is about .​
• The message of the film is​
• The main event in the play is .​
• The ending (NOT the end) of the film is​
• I would recommend this film to ...​
Action plan

1 Read the instructions and try to think of something relevant that you have seen, heard or read
to review. Or just use your imagination.

2 Think about who the readers of your review will be and what they will want to know.

3 Note down some points to mention, and spend a few minutes making a plan that includes a
description, an explanation and a recommendation. Decide how many paragraphs you will use.

4 Give your review a title that tells readers what it is about.

5 Write your text in a style that is appropriate for the publication and the readers.

6 Use some of the expressions from Useful Vocabulary to praise, criticise, advise or recommend.

7 Use some of the contrast links to describe unexpected things, or to make both positive and
negative points.

8 Finish by recommending or advising readers against the subject of your review (e.g. it would
make the perfect day out for young people).
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Answers
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Answer Sheet Page 3

Part Two Answer

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Answer Sheet Page 4

Part Two Answer

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