Learning Objectives:
Understand the purpose and audience of a review.
Identify the structure of a review and key elements, including summary and evaluation.
Write a well-structured review that balances description and evaluative comments, including a recommendation.
Purpose:
Reviews evaluate and give opinions on items like films, books, restaurants, or events. They combine a summary of the key aspects with an evaluative opinion, helping readers decide whether to engage with the item.
Audience:
Reviews are written for readers of magazines, websites, or newspapers who may be interested in the item being reviewed.
Structure:
Title:
Clearly state the name of the item being reviewed.
Introduction:
Identify the item, provide basic details (e.g., genre, creator, or location), and briefly introduce the main topic or theme of the review.
Body Paragraphs:
Describe key aspects (e.g., plot, performance, service, atmosphere) of the item.
Provide evaluative comments to highlight strengths and weaknesses, supported by specific examples.
Conclusion:
Summarize your overall opinion and include a recommendation, addressing who might enjoy or benefit from the item.
Activity 1: Analyzing a Sample Review
Read the Sample Review:
Click on the link to open a Google Document containing a sample review.
Highlight Key Sections:
Use a highlighting tool to mark:
Introduction (Identify the item and introduce it).
Body Paragraphs (Descriptions and evaluations of key aspects).
Conclusion (Overall opinion and recommendation).
Reflection Questions:
After highlighting, answer the following questions in the comment section:
What is the main purpose of this review?
How effectively does the review balance summary and evaluation?
Is the tone appropriate for the audience? Why or why not?
To help you write effective reviews, here are some useful phrases you can use:
Familiarize yourself with these phrases to enhance your review-writing skills.
Introduction:
“This book/film tells the story of…”
Evaluation:
For strengths: “One of the strengths is…”, "One of the standout features is...", "What I appreciated most was..."
For weaknesses: “However, one weakness is…”, "However, one drawback is...", "It falls short in..."
Recommendation:
“I would recommend this to…”
“This is perfect for fans of…” ,
"This is perfect for those who..."
Practice using them in your reviews to structure your thoughts and express your opinions clearly.
Keep these phrases in mind as you work through the next activity or assignment.
Instructions:
Choose Your Prompt:
Write a review of a recent movie you watched.
Review a restaurant or café you’ve visited.
Evaluate a product you’ve used recently.
Structure Your Review:
Introduction: Introduce the product, service, or experience and provide basic context.
Main Content: Discuss the strengths and weaknesses, providing specific examples.
Conclusion: Summarize your overall opinion and provide a recommendation.
Submit Your Work:
Upload your completed review to the Google Classroom assignment link provided.
2- Extension Activity: Peer Review:
Exchange your review with a classmate for feedback.
Use the peer review checklist to evaluate:
Does the review include all sections (Introduction, Main Content, Conclusion)?
Are opinions supported with clear examples?
Does the tone suit the intended audience?
Click the Google Classroom link below to access the full assignment and submit your work!