GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE- TRANSACTIONAL WRITING
This revision sheet is on writing a review; other examples of
transactional writing are: Articles, Letters, Speeches
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. So you are in effect
giving an evaluation of something. Writing a review puts you in a privileged position –
your readers want to know what you think about something. You are in quite a position
of power – what you say could influence your readers either way – if it is a film that you
are reviewing for example then what you say could make or break whether they chose
to watch the film.
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. If therefore you are saying that a certain actor
was amazing elaborate on this. What was it that made him memorable?
Critics often write reviews for a living. They are knowledgeable on certain topics such as
films or music. We are guided by their expertise and may decide whether or not to
watch a film, for example, based on their review. All reviews have the following common
purposes:
- To inform
- To describe
- To entertain
- To analyse
- To advise
-
Here are some guidelines for writing a review (with example extracts from a review of the film ‘The
Hunger Games’)
, If you are writing a film guide here are the main things that you should include:
The film's title.
An eye-catching heading.
The genre (type of film)…..crime/ romance/ documentary….
The audience. Who is the film for?
The director, main actors, when it was made, has it won any awards?
The plot. A brief summary that doesn't mention the ending! (don’t give too much away)
Your opinion.
Your evaluation.
1. Include a bold and catchy heading
The Hunger Games – Thrilling and Terrifying!
The Hunger Games – Let the Games Begin!
The Hunger Games – Brutal and Unnerving!
The Hunger Games – A new meaning to ‘In It To Win It’
2. Employ a light-hearted, conversational tone whilst maintaining accuracy of
language – be careful not to slip into colloquialisms (slang); Idiomatic language is
effective however as it has an informal and chatty tone to it.
Adapting ‘The Hunger Games’ for the big screen was never going to be easy.
As far as teen films go, this is a winner
Idiomatic language:
This revision sheet is on writing a review; other examples of
transactional writing are: Articles, Letters, Speeches
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. So you are in effect
giving an evaluation of something. Writing a review puts you in a privileged position –
your readers want to know what you think about something. You are in quite a position
of power – what you say could influence your readers either way – if it is a film that you
are reviewing for example then what you say could make or break whether they chose
to watch the film.
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. If therefore you are saying that a certain actor
was amazing elaborate on this. What was it that made him memorable?
Critics often write reviews for a living. They are knowledgeable on certain topics such as
films or music. We are guided by their expertise and may decide whether or not to
watch a film, for example, based on their review. All reviews have the following common
purposes:
- To inform
- To describe
- To entertain
- To analyse
- To advise
-
Here are some guidelines for writing a review (with example extracts from a review of the film ‘The
Hunger Games’)
, If you are writing a film guide here are the main things that you should include:
The film's title.
An eye-catching heading.
The genre (type of film)…..crime/ romance/ documentary….
The audience. Who is the film for?
The director, main actors, when it was made, has it won any awards?
The plot. A brief summary that doesn't mention the ending! (don’t give too much away)
Your opinion.
Your evaluation.
1. Include a bold and catchy heading
The Hunger Games – Thrilling and Terrifying!
The Hunger Games – Let the Games Begin!
The Hunger Games – Brutal and Unnerving!
The Hunger Games – A new meaning to ‘In It To Win It’
2. Employ a light-hearted, conversational tone whilst maintaining accuracy of
language – be careful not to slip into colloquialisms (slang); Idiomatic language is
effective however as it has an informal and chatty tone to it.
Adapting ‘The Hunger Games’ for the big screen was never going to be easy.
As far as teen films go, this is a winner
Idiomatic language:
