Writing a review · Escribir una reseña
What a review does
- A review is about something you tried — a film, a place, a product.
- It describes the thing and gives your opinion of it.
- Balance description and opinion — do not do only one.
“I liked it” is a review with the furniture missing.
Qué es una reseña
- Una reseña trata sobre algo que has probado —una película, un lugar, un producto—.
- Describe la cosa y ofrece tu opinión sobre ella.
- Equilibra la descripción y la opinión; no hagas solo una de las dos.
“Me gustó” es una reseña a la que le falta el mueble.
A good review should…
A review balances description and opinion.
Support your opinion
- Give reasons for what you think.
- Use examples from your experience.
- Say clearly why it was good or bad.
An opinion stands on a reason and an example
Fundamenta tu opinión
- Da razones para lo que piensas.
- Usa ejemplos de tu experiencia.
- Explica claramente por qué fue bueno o malo.
Una opinión se sostiene en una razón y un ejemplo
Praise, criticism or balance? · ¿Elogio, crítica o equilibrio?
Reviews need all three voices — pure praise is an advert, pure criticism is a rant.
Support your opinion with reasons and ___ from your experience.
Examples make your opinion believable.
End with advice
- Shape: introduce → describe and evaluate → recommend.
- Finish with a clear recommendation.
- Write for a general reader, in a friendly style.
Termina con un consejo
- Estructura: presenta → describe y evalúa → recomienda.
- Finaliza con una recomendación clara.
- Escribe para un lector general, con un tono amable.
A review should end with a clear recommendation.
Yes — tell the reader whether to try it.
Write one sentence recommending (or not) a film you have seen, and give a reason.
Example: 'I recommend this film because the story is exciting.'
A review ends with a clear ____, telling the reader whether to try it.
A recommendation turns the evaluation into useful advice.
A mini review, annotated
- "Noodle House on Park Road looks tiny — six tables, steamy windows. The hand-pulled noodles are the real deal: springy, fresh, and under £5. Service slows at lunchtime, though. Go early, and go hungry."
- Describe (tiny, steamy) → evaluate (the real deal, springy) → admit a weak point (service slows).
- The weak point makes the praise believable — a review with zero criticism reads like an advert.
- The last line is the recommendation, short enough to remember.
Una mini reseña, anotada
- "Noodle House en Park Road parece pequeño —seis mesas, ventanas vaporosas. Los fideos tirados a mano son auténticos: elásticos, frescos y por menos de 5 libras. El servicio se ralentiza al mediodía, sin embargo. Ve temprano y ve con hambre."
- Describe (pequeño, vaporoso) → evalúa (auténtico, elástico) → admite un punto débil (el servicio se ralentiza).
- El punto débil hace que los elogios sean creíbles; una reseña sin ninguna crítica suena como un anuncio publicitario.
- La última línea es la recomendación, lo suficientemente corta para recordarla.
Match each aspect of a film to a comment that fits it.
Review one aspect at a time — each gets its own precise comment.
Which review sentence supports its judgement with a specific example?
The last sentence names a judgement and the precise feature that caused it.
A recommendation should fit the evidence and evaluation in the review.
The advice follows from the strengths, weaknesses and intended audience; it should not contradict the middle.
- A review describes AND gives an opinion.
- Support opinions with reasons and examples.
- End with a clear recommendation.
- Una reseña describe Y da una opinión.
- Apoya las opiniones con razones y ejemplos.
- Termina con una recomendación clara.