Writing a review

7.1

What a review does

Syllabus

recognise that a review describes something you have experienced (a film, place or product) and gives your opinion
balance description with personal opinion and reasons
write for a general audience, for example of a magazine or website

Source: Cambridge International syllabus

A review 评论 tells readers about something you have tried — a film, a book, a restaurant, or a place. A good review helps the reader decide 决定 whether to try it too.

Describe and judge

A review does two things: it describes 描述 the thing, and it gives your opinion 观点 of it.
Balance the two. Do not only describe, and do not only give opinions.
Describing answers "What is it like?" Judging answers "Is it any good?" Move between the two, sentence by sentence.

An opinion sits like a seat on two legs, one leg is a reason and the other is an example An opinion stands on a reason and an example

Support your opinions

Give reasons for what you think. Say why it was good or bad.
Use examples 例子 from your experience to make your view believable 可信.
A weak review says "The food was nice." A strong review says "The soup was rich and warming, though the rice arrived cold." The detail is what convinces the reader.

Useful language

Learn a few phrases 短语 for each job. Then you never stare at a blank page.

To describe: It is set in… / The story follows… / The dish combines… / What stands out is…
To praise: The best part is… / I was impressed by… / It really succeeds in…
To criticise 批评 (gently): The one weakness is… / It could have been better if… / At times it feels slow.
To recommend: I would recommend it to… / It is well worth… / Don't miss…

Mix praise and criticism so the review sounds fair 公正. A review that is all praise, or all complaint, is hard to trust.

Vocabulary Train

English	Chinese	Pinyin
review	评论	píng lùn
decide	决定	jué dìng
describes	描述	miáo shù
opinion	观点	guān diǎn
examples	例子	lì zi
believable	可信	kě xìn
phrases	短语	duǎn yǔ
criticise	批评	pī píng
fair	公正	gōng zhèng

7.2

How to build a review

Syllabus

introduce what is being reviewed, then describe and evaluate it
support your opinions with specific details and examples
end with a clear recommendation to the reader

Source: Cambridge International syllabus

Readers want a clear, helpful review.

A review with labels: first say what you are reviewing, then two balanced columns for describing it and judging it, and a recommendation at the end A review describes and judges, then ends with clear advice

Structure

Start by saying what you are reviewing, and give the reader the basic facts.
In the middle, describe it and evaluate 评价 it — the good points and the weak points.
Write for a general reader, in a friendly but clear tone 语气.

End with a recommendation

Finish with a recommendation 建议: do you advise the reader to try it or not?
Make your advice clear, for example: "I would recommend this film to anyone who likes adventure."
You can add a condition: "…as long as you don't mind a slow start." This sounds honest and grown-up.

A model review

Read this short review of a film. Notice how each sentence either describes or judges.

Skyward is an adventure film about a girl who builds her own aircraft. The story is simple, but the flying scenes are breathtaking 惊人 and the young lead acts with real warmth. The middle drags a little, and a few jokes fall flat. Even so, it left the whole cinema smiling. I would recommend Skyward to any family looking for a bright, hopeful evening — just be ready for a slow first ten minutes.

Count the moves: it names the film, describes it, praises it, admits two faults, and ends with a clear, honest recommendation. That is a complete review in five sentences.