Writing Reviews

• English
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• GCSE

Introduction

A lesson about writing reviews. It features activities for students to analyse reviews they have brought in (proper ones not Amazon ones!) and also some randomised writing activities.

Instructions

Pre lesson homework is for students to bring in their own reviews

Writing Reviews

Reviews 

Creative Writing 

English Language and Literature

How much does a review influence your decision to see or consume whatever it is being reviewed?

How much does a review influence your decision to see or consume whatever it is being reviewed?

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 How does a review influence you?

How does a review influence you?

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• Understand the key elements of writing effective reviews
  
• Apply them to analyse and create reviews of various texts.

Lesson Aims

What kind of linguistic and literary techniques do you expect to see in a review?

?

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How does a review influence you?

What is the purpose of a review?

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For this next activity you will need the reviews you were asked to bring in to this lesson.

In pairs, read through your reviews and answer the following questions on the next slide.

Your Reviews

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1. Where are your reviews from? Internet? Magazine? Newspaper?
2. Who is the target audience and how do they appeal to that audience?
3. Find examples of features of reviews we discussed earlier.
4. What similarities and differences are there in your reviews?

Your Reviews

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1. Where are your reviews from? Internet? Magazine? Newspaper?
2. Who is the target audience and how do they appeal to that audience?
3. Find examples of features of reviews we discussed earlier.
4. What similarities and differences are there in your reviews?

Feedback Time

Your turn! Writing a Review

Write a short review of a random text, applying the key elements and language techniques discussed. Use the wheels to help you! It can be based on something you know though you may need to research details!

Your turn: Writing a Review

If you set to show this to student screens they can interact or if you prefer you can set the spinner tasks for the class even though this may take too much time with a large group.

Upload photos of handwritten reviews here!

Upload Your Reviews

Exchange reviews with a peer for constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. 

Peer Review and Feedback

 Use this mind map to offer anonymous guidance for improvement - be nice!

What kind of linguistic and literary techniques do you expect to see in a review?

?

How does a review influence you?

How would a spoken review (e.g. one on Youtube) differ from a written review?

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How would a spoken review (e.g. one on Youtube) differ from a written review?

What should a review aim to do?

What should a review aim to do?

1. Persuade without evidence
2. Avoid detailed analysis
3. Provide informed evaluation
4. Make broad assumptions

Which of the following is a characteristic of a good review?

Which of the following is a characteristic of a good review?

1. Emotional language
2. Sensationalism
3. Impartiality
4. Biased opinions

What is a key technique used in writing reviews?

What is a key technique used in writing reviews?

1. Vague language
2. Use of specific examples
3. Exaggeration
4. Generalization

What is a common discourse feature of reviews?

What is a common discourse feature of reviews?

1. Emotional appeals
2. Descriptive language
3. Narrative structure
4. Argumentative tone

What is the term for the overall feeling or impression of a piece of writing?

What is the term for the overall feeling or impression of a piece of writing?

1. Syntax
2. Characterization
3. Plot
4. Tone

What are the three most important qualities of a review?

What are the three most important qualities of a review?

Ask about something you want to know more about

Ask one question about something you want to know more about

How confident do you feel about writing a review?

How confident do you feel about writing a review?

😒🙁😐🙂😃