A review is an article in a newspaper

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

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

Overview. Pros and Cons. Verdict.

Description of the subject. BOOK Non-fiction 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? PLAY / FILM / PROGRAMME Fiction 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? Is there anything special or unusual about the production? Play / Film TV Programme Where is it on? Which channel? Are there any well- Is it part of a series? known actors? Who is the director? Who is the producer?

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.

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

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.

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.

Planning your writing in advance will help you organise your ideas in the most logical way and save you time in the exam: A. Brainstorming of ideas. A. Paragraph structure. A. Useful 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 24 th film.

Recommendation Plot summary Opinion in detail: positive and negative points Title or type of film / overall impression

1. A brief introduction and background, including the genre (type) and reasons you chose to review this particular title. 2. A description of the main characters and their relationships to one another. 3. A summary of the plot, including strengths and weaknesses. 4. A personal opinion and summary of who else might like to read, see or play it.

Plan A 1. Introduction 2. Compare and contrast (e. g. content / style / intended audience) 3. Compare and contrast (e. g. quality) 4. Summary and recommendation Plan B 1. Introduction 2. Discuss first item 3. Discuss second item 4. Summary and recommendation

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

Overview (1):

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…

Pros and Cons (1):

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 / thoughtprovoking… › 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…

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

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…

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).

Expressing preferences: › › If I had to choose one… I’d rather… than… I much prefer… Give me… any day!

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…)

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

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.

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

Book Play Film

Book Characters A classic A best-seller The author A thriller The plot A chapter A masterpiece Play A classic A flop A scene The cast The author A star A performance The plot A script A masterpiece A box-office hit The stage An act Film Extras A scene The cast A star A thriller The plot A flop A script A masterpiece A box-office hit A classic

(particularly) memorable (entirely) predictable (really) lively (excruciatingly) boring over the top (extremely) popular (almost) inaudible entertaining (a bit) flat (totally) unconvincing riveting (viewing) (incredibly) stylish (vastly) overrated (profoundly) moving (absolutely) hilarious (truly) original (quite) sophisticated (refreshingly) different (beautifully) recorded

Positive Negative

Positive (particularly) memorable (truly) original (really) lively (extremely) popular (riveting) viewing (incredibly) stylish entertaining (profoundly) moving (quite) sophisticated (absolutely) hilarious (refreshingly) different (beautifully) recorded Negative (entirely) predictable (excruciatingly) boring (totally) unconvincing over the top (almost) inaudible (vastly) overrated (a bit) flat

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 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 the review of Kid A?

1. Which writer uses adjectives to describe plot and characters? 1. Which writer does not repeat any adjectives?

1. 2. 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?