Writing a review
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.
Practice
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
Explore
Praise, criticism or balance?
Reviews need all three voices — pure praise is an advert, pure criticism is a rant.
Practice
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.
Practice
A review should end with a clear recommendation.
Yes — tell the reader whether to try it.
Practice
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 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.
Practice
Match each aspect of a film to a comment that fits it.
Review one aspect at a time — each gets its own precise comment.
Key idea
- A review describes AND gives an opinion.
- Support opinions with reasons and examples.
- End with a clear recommendation.