This document provides guidance on how to write a review in 4 paragraphs. The introduction paragraph should provide background details on the title, author, and type of work being reviewed. The second paragraph summarizes the plot's main points without revealing the ending. General comments on characters, plot, and quality are included in the third paragraph. The conclusion paragraph gives an overall recommendation on whether the work is recommended. Reviews are commonly found in newspapers, magazines, websites and letters. The style depends on the publication and readers, and can be formal or semi-formal.

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.