For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation. Writing a Review This presentation matches Objectives Wr18 and 19. This icon indicates that teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page. For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation. This icon indicates that a useful web address is included in the Notes page. This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.

Here, we will look at how to write a review. Writing a review Watched a TV programme? Ever read a book? Watched a film? Seen a play? Played a computer game? Then the chances are that you have told someone about it – you have given A REVIEW Here, we will look at how to write a review.

Terminology

Summarizing

Summarizing Can you finish off these summaries? A little girl, dressed in red, visit her Granny but ends up… Setting up on their own was not going to prove easy for three little pigs. They end up… Now summarize a story or film you know well, in no more than 30 words.

Opinion

Opinion Opinions are often made to sound like facts. Read these opinions. No one could deny that this is an appalling film. This is undoubtedly Rowling’s best book yet. This classic book has stood the test of time. The phrases that are highlighted make it appear that the statements are true and factual, rather than just the writer’s opinion. Can you think of any other phrases that do the same sort of job?

Planning a review You are now going to plan and write your own review. Choose a book to review. You will find it helpful if you organize your review into different areas. There is no set order for a review, but here are some of the areas you might consider: opening plot setting characters favourite/worst parts message/moral. Obviously this may be the teacher’s choice of book/film, or free choice for the students depending on the teacher’s intentions. If preferred, students could write a review of a film or TV programme instead. Having copies of recent reviews of books is very helpful. (These can be found on web sites too, of course.) www.amazon.co.uk, for example, has some good readers’ reviews of books, films and games. Students can then identify the different areas in the review, and the order in which they are discussed.

Planning a review The opening On the next few slides there will be questions on different areas. Choose at least three questions from each area and answer them about your chosen book. The answers on each area will form the basis for each paragraph of your review. The opening Does it set the scene? What are your first impressions? Is it exciting? Moody? Atmospheric? Gripping? Can you predict what is going to happen?

Planning a review The plot Setting Is it believable? What type of story is it? E.g. horror, adventure etc. Is there an exciting climax? Are there any surprises or twists? Is it easy to understand? Setting When is the story set? Is it described well? What sort of atmosphere is created? How? Where does it take place? Remember do not give away the ending!

Planning a review Characters Miscellaneous Describe the main characters. What problems does the main character have? Which characters do you like or dislike? Why? How does the main character develop/change? Are the characters well-described/acted? What do the characters learn? Miscellaneous What are the best/worst parts? Is there a message to be learned? Can you compare this with other works? Is there anything different/special about this work?

Quotations This is where you copy a little bit from the text in order to prove or support a point you are making. You should remember three things when using quotations: keep them short and relevant copy them accurately use quotation marks. “ ” Tips Reviews often start with an exciting quotation to interest the reader. Remember to keep quotations relevant to the review.

Quotations Imagine you need a good, effective quotation about the witches in Macbeth. You want it to show how different and scary they are. Which of these would you choose? “What are these, So wither’d and so wild in their attire…? “Speak if you can: what are you?” “The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, And these are of them: whither are they vanish’d?” Which did you choose? Why? They are all relevant – they focus on how different the witches are. The last one mentions the witches vanishing, which is particularly strange.

Writing your review Now you are ready to write your review. You should have plenty of notes and ideas. You must now write them up. You might use a structure like this one: Details of the book/author Striking quotation Summary of plot and opening Discussion of characters Comment on setting/atmosphere Describing favourite parts/similarities with other works Concluding comment/message/overall opinion. EXTENSION: See if you can find another review (perhaps on the Internet) of the book you have reviewed. Compare it with your own.