Reviews should include:

The main purpose of reviews is not to tell readers what you think about what you're reviewing, but to let them figure out if they would like it. Good review writing requires a lot of description and supported opinions.

• • Include a clearly identified voice in your writing – yours!

  • Weave together the objective (describing the movie/game/TV show) and subjective (your impressions).

  • Include a strongly worded, unambiguous summary of your opinion.

  • Make a well-developed multi-point argument supporting your opinion.

  • List key FYI details (titles of works in quotation marks per AP Style):

    • • Movie: “Title,” actors, date of release, run time, studio, MPAA rating, your star rating out of 5.

      • TV show: “Title,” actors, run time, network or service, your star rating out of 5.

      • Game: "Title," format etc.

      • Restaurant: Name, address, type of food, price range, your star rating out of 5.

      • Album: “Title,” artist, genre, run time, number of songs, your star rating out of 5.

      • Book: “Title,” author, price (in various formats), number of pages.

      • Art exhibit: “Title” of exhibit, location, hours, theme of exhibit, “titles” of individual works of art.

      • Theater: “Performance title,” playwright, genre, theater location, times, run time, how to get tickets, price.

  • Factual accuracy on all points.

Writing tips:

• • Include a strongly worded opinion.

  • Answer the question: Is it worth the reader’s time/money?

  • Include factual information that cannot be disputed alongside your opinions.

  • Explain early in your article what you are reviewing.

  • Try starting your lead by describing one particular aspect of the work first objectively then subjectively.

    • If you are reviewing an art show, for example, you can first describe what a featured painting looks like, its medium, subject, technique. Then, you can describe the effect it has upon you, the feelings (aesthetic or emotional) it inspires, and so on.

  • Be negative and critical in a review if that is your honest response. But back up your criticism as specifically as you can. If you say that a restaurant is lousy, describe how the breast of chicken was raw and the waiter rude.

  • Always give a few solid examples, as you would for all good writing. If you are writing about a comedy, give one good joke. If you are writing about a band, focus on a few specific songs.

  • Remember that reviewers are still journalists, and accuracy remains Rule No. 1. Get every detail correct. Spell all names correctly.

  • If possible, see a performance or movie once for fun, then a second time for work.

  • Remember that your loyalty is to your reader, who wants to know if the performance/item is worth their time and money, whether they would agree with your opinion or not.