GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Writing a review on a film/book/video game/CD/ music concert
A review is a piece of writing which you offer your personal opinion. Almost everything
can be reviewed: music concerts, films, video games, products, books or restaurants.
Your own personal knowledge will enable you to draw a conclusion that is of
significance as it will have the benefit of your first hand knowledge. To demonstrate your
in-depth knowledge of a topic, it will be necessary for you to support your points with
valid reasons.
Guidelines for writing a review (with example sentences from a review of the film ‘The
Hunger Games’)
1. Include a bold and catchy heading
The Hunger Games – Thrilling and Terrifying
2. Employ a light-hearted, conversational tone whilst maintaining accuracy of
language – be careful not to slip into colloquialisms (slang);
Adapting ‘The Hunger Games’ for the big screen was never going to be easy
3. Ensure that you have 4 o 5 clear sections: basic information, plot synopsis, good
points, bad points, scope for improvement, recommendations as to whether it is
worth seeing/reading/playing. You could perhaps give it a star rating or a score
out of 10. The aim is to provide an honest critique of the object under review –
this gives you the scope to be subjective. A review can therefore be positive or
negative – the important thing to bear in mind is that you must have evidence to
support the points that you make. Do not reveal plot twists and never give away
the ending.
Writing a review on a film/book/video game/CD/ music concert
A review is a piece of writing which you offer your personal opinion. Almost everything
can be reviewed: music concerts, films, video games, products, books or restaurants.
Your own personal knowledge will enable you to draw a conclusion that is of
significance as it will have the benefit of your first hand knowledge. To demonstrate your
in-depth knowledge of a topic, it will be necessary for you to support your points with
valid reasons.
Guidelines for writing a review (with example sentences from a review of the film ‘The
Hunger Games’)
1. Include a bold and catchy heading
The Hunger Games – Thrilling and Terrifying
2. Employ a light-hearted, conversational tone whilst maintaining accuracy of
language – be careful not to slip into colloquialisms (slang);
Adapting ‘The Hunger Games’ for the big screen was never going to be easy
3. Ensure that you have 4 o 5 clear sections: basic information, plot synopsis, good
points, bad points, scope for improvement, recommendations as to whether it is
worth seeing/reading/playing. You could perhaps give it a star rating or a score
out of 10. The aim is to provide an honest critique of the object under review –
this gives you the scope to be subjective. A review can therefore be positive or
negative – the important thing to bear in mind is that you must have evidence to
support the points that you make. Do not reveal plot twists and never give away
the ending.
