WRITING A

REVIEW
What is a Review?
• A review may be about a book, magazine, film, play, or concert, but it may also be about, for
example, an exhibition.
• 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
• A review does not merely require a general description of, for example, an event or publication,
but it specifies the particular aspects to be considered. For example, the review may employ
narrative, as well as descriptive and evaluative language, and a range of vocabulary relating, for
example, to literature and the media such as cinema or TV.
• The language appropriate to a review will include, for example, language for describing,
narrating and evaluating.
How to write a review?
1. Read task, underline content points.
Brainstorm an appropriate title and introduction.
2. Divide content points into paragraphs
-What do you want to say? Add your notes to each paragraph in a simple form.
-How are you going to say that? Brainstorm advanced grammar and vocabulary for each note.
3. In your conclusions, give your overall critical assessment
You should evaluate the work as a whole, determining whether the author/producer achieves
the intended goal and whether the book/movie makes a significant contribution to the
existing knowledge.
talk about expectations before watching.
 An attractive title
Drawing the attention of readers
- not specific
- write the theme n
A catchy introduction
title origin
Clarifying the topic and attracting the reader’s attention.

The body paragraph (1)

S T RU C T U R E A short summary of the reviewed material

The body paragraph (2)

Description of positive aspects and/or weaker points

The body paragraph (3)

Name things that could be changed to improve the quality
of the product.

Recommendation
Final opinion, recommendation or comment.
1. who's the
director
2. whos the publisher
3. when it was published
4. actors and characters
5. make it clear u are a reviewer
Introduction
The introduction focuses on the identification of the author, the title, the main
topic or issue presented in the question as well as the author’s purpose.

If your task requires to review a book or article concerning particular issues or topic,
your introduction must also meet these expectations. In other words, the more
complex your task is, the more you have to implement in your introduction.

Ultimately, to make your introduction more engaging you can determine your position
as a reviewer and briefly state your general impression on it.
1. plot 1. strength of movie 1. weaknesses of movie
2. setting 2. improvements
3. actors
4. short synopsis
The Body
Your first body paragraph can give a short summary of the reviewed material. Give a brief
overview — plot, setting, actors, general idea.

Second and/or third body paragraphs can be used to describe good and bad points respectively.
Unlike essay your paragraphs don’t have to be of the same length — if you liked the described
thing then your paragraph with good points will be naturally bigger than the other one.
In the negative points paragraph, you can name things that could be changed to improve the
quality of the product.

Again, for each paragraph, it’s efficient to use the topic sentence to identify the point from the
book or the article you intend to summarise or evaluate using one or the other pattern.
1. evaluate as a whole
2. rating
3.
Recommendation

You should now evaluate the Use this paragraph to sum up

work as a whole, determining the good and bad points to
whether the author achieves the make an objective assessment of
intended or implied goal and the reviewed material.You may
whether the work makes a then recommend or dissuade
significant contribution to the your readers from
existing knowledge. seeing/attending it.
You can consider the following questions:

Is the work
How well has the appropriately
author achieved the Does the author
subjective or objective exclude or ignore
overall purpose of the
according to the relevant information?
book or article? author’s purpose?

What is the most

important final Do you have any
suggestions for the What has reading this
comment you wish to work done for you or
direction of future
make about the book demonstrated to you?
or article? research in the area?
USEFUL PHRASES
AND
VO C A B U L A RY
 Book review

Setting:
The book is set in …… (place/time)
Vocab to describe the book in general: Vocab to describe specific parts: The action takes place in …….
a slow start / a gentle introduction (place/time)
a page-turner / a white-knuckle ride / a /gripping climax / nail- the present day (now)
tearjerker / a laugh biting conclusion/cliff-hanger ending/ a an alternate reality where
a minute / I couldn’t put it down. shocking twist in the tail vampires/wizards walk the earth
a sleepy village in the USA
the bustling city of New York

Plot: Characters:
The plot centres around / focuses on Villain / hero / heroine / anti-hero /
(the adventures/lives of ……) main character / protagonist
The plot follows the adventures of The characters are believable / well-
……(character name) crafted / a bit 2 dimensional.
 Film/ TV Reviews
An all-star cast I was on the edge of my seat (exciting)
heavily influenced by the films of… A blockbuster (big commercial film eg Superman)
glowing reviews … sets off an amazing chain of events
startling originality Gripping film (exciting)
suspense builds up The director/author evoked a magical atmosphere
a polished performance … awakened my interest in…
a bold experiment Hold my attention
an accomplished actor Capture the audience’s imagination.
an unmitigated disaster (bad film) Spectacular set-pieces (main action scenes)
a dazzling display of his/her talents … is cast in the role of…
made a lasting impression on me. … is miscast in the role of…
Brought a tear to my eye …gives a(n) (un)convincing performance as…
Like watching paint dry (boring) The film is let down by a clichéd script.
 Restaurant Review
Hearty meal Well-seasoned
Wholesome food Packed with flavour
Piping-hot A steaming plate of…
Succulent/juicy (meat) Hungry/starving/ravenous/famis
Creamy hed
With a kick (spicy) Bustling eatery(restaurant)
Crunchy/crispy Lively atmosphere
Service with a smile
 1. title
2. what u enjoy about it
- actors, plot twist, scenes, soundtrack
Sample Question 3. recommend or not recommend ?
You recently saw this notice in a magazine. 4 reasons for recommendation

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