This document provides guidance on writing reviews in newspapers or magazines. It discusses the typical structure of a review, including an overview, pros and cons, and a verdict. It also offers advice on brainstorming ideas, paragraph structure, and useful language for different sections of the review. Key aspects covered include providing factual details, balancing objective and subjective views, and clearly recommending whether the subject is worth experiencing.

1. Reviews 2º Nivel Avanzado

2. Definition A review is an article in a newspaper or magazine in which someone gives their views on a book, play, film, TV programme, etc.

3. Purpose Factual information about the subject. Opinion to help the reader.

4. Structure

5. Structure Overview. Pros and Cons. Verdict.

6. Structure: Overview Description of the subject. Which channel? Is it part of a series? Who is the producer? Where is it on? Are there well-known actors? Who is the director? TV Programme Play / Film What kind of book is it (thriller, historical novel, science fiction…)? Is it different in any way from other books of this type? What is the story (just an outline, don’t give the ending away!)? What is it about? Who is it for? How technical is it? How is it organised? What topics are covered? What special features are there? How much does it cost? What is it about? Is there anything special or unusual about the production? Fiction Non-fiction PLAY / FILM / PROGRAMME BOOK

7. Structure: Overview Some other factual details that could be included: The title of the book, film, CD, concert… The type of book, film, CD, etc.: love story, thriller, Rock ‘n’ Roll… The intended audience: adults, teenagers… The author, director, main actors, singer, group… The publisher, the cinema, channel, label, venue… The price.

8. Structure: Overview Some other opinion details that could be included: A rating based on the star system.

9. Structure: Pros and Cons Detailed comments on the (un)successful features of the subject: strengths and weaknesses. Objective views (based on facts). Subjective views (based on personal feelings). Give clear reasons for your comments. Try to be balanced and not completely one-sided.

10. Structure: Verdict Summing-up and recommendations. Make it clear whether you: Recommend the subject without any reservations. Recommend the subject with 1 or 2 reservations. Don’t recommend the subject at all. Readers often look at the last paragraph.

11. Writing Strategy Planning your writing in advance will help you organise your ideas in the most logical way and save you time in the exam: Brainstorming of ideas. Paragraph structure. Useful language.

12. Brainstorming Language Spooky ghost story. See it! – best film of the year. Great acting. Simple plot – well-structured. NK plays Grace – husband away at the war. G’s 2 children have mysterious illness – are hypersensitive to light eerie atmosphere. Slow moving – keeps you in suspense. Three servants – arrive from nowhere  strange events. Now released on DVD. NK’s 24th film.

13. Decide on the best order Recommendation Plot summary Opinion in detail: positive and negative points Title or type of film / overall impression

14. Paragraph Planning A brief introduction and background, including the genre (type) and reasons you chose to review this particular title. A description of the main characters and their relationships to one another. A summary of the plot, including strengths and weaknesses. A personal opinion and summary of who else might like to read, see or play it.

15. Paragraph Planning: comparing Plan A Introduction Compare and contrast (e.g. content / style / intended audience) Compare and contrast (e.g. quality) Summary and recommendation Plan B Introduction Discuss first item Discuss second item Summary and recommendation

16. Useful Language Structure. Overview. Pros and Cons. Verdict. Content. Comparing and contrasting. Balancing an opinion. Expressing preferences. Summarising.

17. Useful Language: Structure Overview (1):

18. Useful Language: Structure Overview (2): It is published by… It is illustrated by… It tells the story of… The plot centres on… This is a love story / a thriller / a classic… The story is set in… The book is about…

19. Useful Language: Structure Pros and Cons (1):

20. Useful Language: Structure Pros and Cons (2): It is extremely readable/rather heavy It is a beautifully written novel It is extremely well-written / I didn’t like the way it was written. It is really imaginative / full of suspense / thought-provoking… Parts of the book are very funny / sad / exciting.. The characters are very life-like / not very convincing… The ending is really unexpected / surprising / spine-chilling / funny… I found the ending a bit boring / predictable / disappointing…

21. Useful Language: Structure Verdict: In the end In the last analysis, On balance, In conclusion To sum up I really recommend it. It is well-worth reading!

22. Useful Language: Content Comparing and contrasting: X is a bit / considerably more original than… X isn’t quite as good as… While / Whereas X is…, Y is… Neither… / Both…

23. Useful Language: Content Balancing an opinion: I found (the lyrics incomprehensible at times / the host infuriating), but… / However, … Although (the lead singer has a great voice / the show is a big hit with the public), … Even so, (her performance will stay in the memory for a long time / the show makes great family viewing). Despite this / In spite of this / And yet (I enjoyed nearly every track on it / it doesn’t really spoil the programme). On the other hand, (I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it / the concept doesn’t really work).

24. Useful Language: Content Expressing preferences: If I had to choose one… I’d rather… than… I much prefer… Give me… any day!

25. Useful Language: Content Summarising: So, (two different artists but)… All in all, if you’re going to buy one disc / watch one programme this week)… Quite simply, (this is the best…)

26. Useful Language: Film Reviews The film is directed / produced by… It is set in… It stars… The role of X is played by… It portrays / shows… It conveys a sense of… X gives a superb / thrilling / disappointing performance… I can thoroughly recommend… I found the plot rather weak / unconvincing

27. Remember Audience: Who will read your review? Who is likely to read it? Style: What style is appropriate for your readers? Is the language mostly formal or informal? Factual information: The title of the book, film, CD, concert… The type of book, film, CD, etc.: love story, thriller, Rock ‘n’ Roll… The intended audience: adults, teenagers… The author, director, main actors, singer group… The publisher, the cinema, channel, label, venue… The price.

28. Exercise #1 – Basic Vocabulary: Book, Play or Film? Extras characters a classic a scene The author a star a performance A thriller the plot a flop a chapter A role a script a masterpiece an act A box-office hit the stage

29. Exercise #1 – Basic Vocabulary: Book, Play or Film? Film Play Book

30. Exercise #1 – Basic Vocabulary: Book, Play or Film? Extras A scene The cast A star A thriller The plot A flop A script A masterpiece A box-office hit A classic A scene The cast The author A star A performance The plot A script A masterpiece A box-office hit The stage An act Characters A classic A best-seller The author A thriller The plot A chapter A masterpiece Film Play Book

31. Exercise #2 - Evaluation: Positive or Negative phrases? (particularly) memorable (entirely) predictable (truly) original (really) lively (excruciatingly) boring (totally) unconvincing over the top (extremely) popular riveting (viewing) (almost) inaudible (incredibly) stylish (vastly) overrated entertaining (profoundly) moving (quite) sophisticated (absolutely) hilarious (refreshingly) different (a bit) flat (beautifully) recorded

32. Exercise #2 - Evaluation: Positive or Negative phrases? Negative Positive

33. Exercise #2 - Evaluation: Positive or Negative phrases? (entirely) predictable (excruciatingly) boring (totally) unconvincing over the top (almost) inaudible (vastly) overrated (a bit) flat (particularly) memorable (truly) original (really) lively (extremely) popular riveting (viewing) (incredibly) stylish entertaining (profoundly) moving (quite) sophisticated (absolutely) hilarious (refreshingly) different (beautifully) recorded Negative Positive

34. Exercise #3 - Analysis: Three Reviews Which review contains the most factual information? Which expresses strong personal opinions? Which do you think is the most balanced? Which review is the most formal? How could you describe the style of review A?

35. Exercise #4 – Use of Adjectives: Two Reviews Which writer uses adjectives to describe plot and characters? Which writer does not repeat any adjectives?

36. Exercise #5 – Intensifying meaning: A film review Divide the paragraphs and label them. Answer the following questions: What does the writer compare the story to? What does the writer compare some scenes to? Which words are used to describe: The visual imagery? The atmosphere? The acting? The plot and the ending? What tense does the writer use to describe the story?

37. Exercise #6 – Writing a review