The document provides instructions for students to analyze reviews of the same product from two different publications. It includes a grid for students to fill out comparing how each review describes whether they liked or disliked the product, quotes examples they provide, descriptive words used, and if they provide an overview or synopsis. Students are to find reviews of the same film, game, book, or other product from two sources to analyze and compare in the grid.

1. Creative and Media: Level 2 Higher Diploma Unit 1: Scene
Level 2 Higher Diploma Creative and MediaUnit 1: Scene
1.3.1 Deconstructing a review
Student Book
pp 34–43
Understanding how other reviewers or commentators have presented their personal
opinions to an audience will help you gain the skills to formulate and present your own
thoughts effectively.
1 Get two copies of recent specialist magazines (such as film or computer games
magazines), or the review sections of newspapers.
2 From each publication, find a review of the same film, game, play, book, art exhibition
etc.
3 Use the grid below to analyse what the reviews tell you. Fill in the names of the
magazines or newspapers you have chosen as your sources.
Product being reviewed Source 1: The Movie Gazette Source 2: BBC Website
Does the reviewer like what they Yes, I think they like it they used No, this review talks about the
have reviewed or not? adjectives such as ‘masterpiece’. poor dialog a lot.
Can you find a quote from the “Cameron ‘titanic’ is justly “It is reckoned that the rivets
review that tells you this? recognised as something of a were a key structural element
masterpiece” and “The film cost that failed the doomed liner.”
a phenomenal amount to make
and most of it is visible on
screen”
What particular words does the This critic used words such as This critic stated that “the critic’s
reviewer use to describe their ‘masterpiece’ and ‘realistic’. knives were out even before
feelings about the subject of the James Cameron’s titanic was
review? complete.”
What examples does the The film cost a phenomenal Contrived scenes Dicaprio and
reviewer give to back up their amount to make – everything Winslet fall for each other and it
opinions? about it looks sumptuous. shows on their scenes.
Does the reviewer give you an Yes, towards the end. The reviewer gives a conclusion.
overview or synopsis of the
product?
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