Writing a review

1. A REVIEW

2. WHAT CAN YOU REVIEW?
• Book (fiction)
• Book (non-fiction)
• Film
• Play
• Concert
• Exhibition
• TV programme
• A holiday
• A product
• A website

3. FUNCTIONS
• The use of appropriate adjectives
• How to describe and explain
• How to give an opinion, positive or negative
• How to make a recommendation

4. A REVIEW SHOULD CONSIST OF:
• Introduction Paragraph 1
• Background information (title, name of author/ director, type, setting, etc.)
• Main Body Paragraph 2
• Main points of the plot
• Main Body Paragraph 3
• General comments
• Conclusion Paragraph 4
• Recommendation

5. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH 1
• Summarise and provide all the Background information:
• The title of the book or film
• The author or director
• Where it is set
• When it is set
• Type:
 See GENRES

6. MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 2
• Main points of the plot:
• THE PLOT Introducing a brief account of the plot. NOTE: You should not reveal the
end of the story to the reader.
• Information about the main characters
• Use the present tense when you describe the plot
 See Useful Language Reviews

7. MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 3
• General comments (COMMENTING CRITICALLY on the plot, the main characters, the
acting, the directing, etc.):
• What you liked about the book/film
• Any criticisms you may have: remember that even a good review will usually include
some criticism as well as praise
• Try to use a range of adjectives that describe as precisely as possible how the book or
film made you feel, e.g. gripping, moving, etc.
 See ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE FILMS & BOOKS
• Use adverbs of degree to modify them, e.g. absolutely gripping

8. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH 4
• Recommendation:
• A summary of your opinion
• A recommendation: you recommend OR DO NOT recommend the book/film/play,
etc., giving reasons to support your recommendation

9. WHERE ARE REVIEWS FOUND?
• In newspapers
• In magazines
• In websites
• As parts of a letter

10. THE STYLE YOU USE
• Depends on:
• The publication
• The intended reader
• Can be:
• Formal
• Semi-formal
• You normally use present tenses.