Review
Uploaded by
Laura PisulacheReview
Uploaded by
Laura PisulacheREVIEW
STRUCTURE
Title + Introduction
Name what you are going to be reviewing. Identify the book, restaurant or film
Main content:
Paragraph 1: Describe the first thing mentioned in the task
Paragraph 2: Describe the second thing mentioned in the task
Recommendation
Contain your general impression and your verdict.
Step 1: Briefly analyse your task…
The first thing is to find underline a description part, where we have to describe something like a
film, book, restaurant or anything else. Next, find a discussion part where need to give opinion
and or make a recommendation or suggestion.
On top of that, find the target reader who is always specified so you know exactly who you are
writing for and who is going to read your review.
Step 2: Title
The review should start with the title, and there are several ways to write it:
imagine you’re reviewing a book you can write [Title] by [Author]
if you were reviewing a hotel you could write the [name of the hotel] – a review
or you can just write something catchy but it has to point to what you are going to review
Title (book): Green Lantern by Stephen King (by)
Title (hotel): Ibiza Hotel in Barcelona – a review (a review)
Title (restaurant): Taco Bell: Unforgettable experience (catchy)
Step 3: Introduction
Use the introduction to identify the thing you are going to be reviewing, and state its genre (i.e. a
science fiction novel, a horror movie) or location (if it’s a restaurant or a hotel).
The other function of your introduction is to engage the reader. There are certain tools we can
use to achieve that for example, we can ask a rhetorical question.
It is a question that doesn’t really need an answer it is there as a stylistic feature that engages the
reader and makes them interested in the topic
Make your introduction at least 2-3 sentences long.
Step 4: The body paragraphs (main content)
The body paragraphs can be used to describe the points you’ve found in (Step 1)
You need to answer/discuss:
1. Why this person made an important contribution?
2. Did you learn anything new about the person’s life?
Unlike essays, your paragraphs don’t have to be of the same length (however, should be longer
than the introduction or conclusion).
Use idioms, phrasal verbs and colloquial language – informal language is appropriate for your
target reader – users of the website, Great Lives
Step 5: Conclusion / Recommendations
It will contain your general impression and your verdict/recommendation.
Use this paragraph to make an objective assessment of the reviewed material. You may
then recommend or dissuade your readers from seeing/attending it.
Tips
Don’t talk about yourself
You’re writing for the public, not for your friends. Your opinions are only interesting if you
can explain them, justify them, or make them entertaining.
Be interesting:
People don’t read reviews in magazines in order to be bored, If your review isn’t interesting, they
won’t read it. To be interesting, you should :
give your review a good title
start with a good opening,
use concrete images and facts, not concepts and generalizations.
use precise and interesting vocabulary.
know when to finish – and finish in style
A title is advisable.
Think about what you are trying to achieve and the structure of your review.
You should also start a new paragraph for every item/aspect you are addressing in your review.
Include a final recommendation or evaluation
Don’t forget! The target reader is specified in the question, so the candidate knows not
only what register is appropriate, but also has an idea about the kind of information to
include.
Useful Phrases, Words & Expressions
What I liked
What I liked most was …..
The thing I liked most was ….
I was pleasantly surprised by …..
….. would appeal to …..
If you get a chance to ….
What I disliked
What I disliked most was …..
I was disappointed by ……
I was disappointed with …..
I was very disappointed by …..
I was very disappointed with ….
Reviews of books:
main character comedy: unbelievable
is set in author bestseller
comedy written by chapter
science fiction chapter ending
thriller factual
romance fiction
Reviews of films, tv programmes, plays:
lead role is set in …..
star role based on a true story ….
star believable
star actor true to life
star actress not very believable
starring far-fetched
secondary role comedy
He plays a ……. romance
She plays a ……. science fiction
written by …. ending
Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc:
location hotel facilities ….
service reasonable prices …..
setting good value for money …..
attractive setting excellent value for money …..
disappointing setting expensive
owned by a bit expensive
run by overpriced
head chef (restaurant) not worth the money
waiters (restaurant) poor value for money
staff ……. always fully booked
staff at reception …….(hotel book in advance
Criticism
The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.
The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
The characters are appealing and true to life
The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish
Recommendations
I would strongly encourage you not to miss/not to waste your money on…
I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at …