What is a review?• main purpose: describe and express a personal

opinion about st you have experienced in a way that catches the reader's attention and interest. (e.g. a movie, a holiday, a product, an event, a book, a TV programme)

• audience: reviews are generally for English-language magazines, newspapers or websites

• register: neutral• you will need language of description and explanation

- adjectives, adjectives, adjectives and some adverbs• you will also need to give your opinion (positive or

negative) and make a recommendation• make sure you use clear, unified paragraphs• respect the word limit

• A review should…- use interesting vocabulary.- try to catch the reader’s interest.- be clearly organised.- use a neutral style, but you have to check who you are writing the review for.

Useful language• 1. introduction: say what you are reviewing.

- The (film, book…etc) I would like to review is…..- The last Film I saw / book I read was…….

• 2. explain: give details of what you reviewing.- It’s set in……….- The story is based on (a book..) …..- It’s about…..- There are many memorable characters including ….- The main theme of the film is…..- What the film is saying is…..

What to say?

WhatWhereWhenWhoHowWhyWhich....

• 3. opinion: give your own opinion of what you are reviewing.- I would recommend this film to anyone.- Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it for….- It’s one of the best (shows) I’ve ever seen.- Although I am not normally keen on (musicals), I am glad that I decided to go.- The (film) lifts you out of your everyday life.

• What should you do before you start review writing…- be sure about what you are reviewing and its purpose- check who will read it.- decide what style you will use for your review.- be careful not to follow a report style.

review structure

Structure 1Introduction - say what you are reviewing / some backgroundReview some of the positive aspectsMention some weaker pointsConclude with your overall opinion

DO’s- DO say what it is about, but not in too much detail.- DO remember to mention important or memorable

characters,but DON`T spend too much time just describing them.- DO try to use a range of interesting vocabulary to bringthe film to life for the reader.- DO remember to link ideas clearly, and to link

paragraphstogether.- DO remember to give your opinion clearly, as this is thepurpose of a review, but not until the end.

Structure 2 (review of a theatre play)

Introduction - say what you are reviewing / some backgroundProduction (scenery/costumes...)Story/PlotConclusion

• Structure 3

Introduction - say what you are reviewing / some backgroundGeneral overviewEvaluation Conclude with your overall opinion

Positive adjectives

• Positive adjectives(good) value for moneyaction-packedaddictiveamusing/ funnyattractiveaward winningbrilliant/ wonderful/ fantastic/ fabulous/ excellent/ terrific/ splendid

classic/ timelesscosmopolitandelightfuldistinctive/ uniquedramaticentertaining/ funexcitingflawless/ impeccable/ perfectgrippinghaunting

interesting/ fascinatingintriguinglovelymemorablemovingoriginalrealisticsatisfyingsophisticated

spectacularthe bee’s kneesthought-provokingtopicalunderratedunforgettableunmatchedunpredictableupliftingwell-actedwell-directed

Negative vocabulary

• (instantly) forgettable• amateurish• annoying/ irritating• awful/ dreadful/ terrible• bland• boring/ tedious

• chaotic• cheesy• childish• clichéd• commercial• confusing• dated• depressing• disappointing

• dull• expensive/ overpriced/ bad value for money• gloomy• melodramatic• monotonous• notorious• odd/ strange/ weird• over the top• overpriced• overrated• pointless

• predictable• pretentious• random• repetitive• sentimental• unintentionally funny

Expressions for talking about positive things

• A (unique) selling point…• A strong point/ strength…• Don’t miss…/ You shouldn’t miss…/ You

mustn’t miss…• I (highly/ thoroughly) recommend this… for…• I can’t/ couldn’t get enough of it.• If you like…, you’ll love…

• It will make you feel…• It would suit…• It’s (really/ well) worth…• It’s suitable for…• My favourite…• You won’t regret…• one in a million• … stands out (from the crowd)…

Expressions for talking about negative things

• Don’t bother…• I couldn’t (really) get into…• I wasn’t keen on…• would only recommend…• I wouldn’t recommend…• I wouldn’t rush out and…• It wouldn’t suit…• It’s not (really) suitable for…

• It’s not (really) worth…• I’d avoid…• I’d be in no hurry to…• My (main) criticism is…• My least favourite…• One of the (main) weaknesses…

Types of music

• classic rock• classical• dance/ techno/ house• disco• easy listening• folk• girl band/ boy band• hip-hop/ rap• R&B

Types of movies

• action movie/ thriller• cartoon/ animation• crime/ cop movie• horror• musical• Remake• sci-fi

Types of TV programme

• adaptation• cop series• costume drama• current affairs• miniseries• murder mystery/ whodunit• news broadcast• quiz show

• reality show• soap opera: a television or radio drama series dealing

typically with daily events in the lives of the same group of characters.

• talk show• travel programme• weather forecast• wildlife documentary

People connected to movies• (lead/ supporting) actor• (main) character• bad guy/ antihero• cameraman• cast• director• extra• hero/ heroine• producer• screenwriter• star

Other nouns related to movies• (car) chase• (happy/ surprise) ending• (wide) screen• Ads• special effects• dialogue/ lines• plot• script• setting• shoot out• soundtrack• stunt• trailer• twist(s and turns) (in the plot)

Verbs related to movies

• (re)watch• direct/ is directed by• features• is set in• perform• release• stars

Nouns to describe aspects of a restaurant or meal

• (waiting) staff• atmosphere• décor• dessert• main course• menu/ drinks menu• reservation• service• set menu• starter