Unit 1: Writing a review for FCE

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

What is the main purpose of a review?

Use the internet to .......

In pairs: look at a few different sites and find a product review

that really appeals to you. 

Make notes: Why have you chosen this review? 

What made it stand out? 

What tone is it written in? 

What sort of layout does it have? Is this helpful? 

NOW SWAP PARTNERS AND DISCUSS THE REVIEW WITH THEM

Part 2 of the Writing Exam

Reviews are included in Part 2 of your writing exam, which means that, unlike essays, you can choose if you want to write a review or instead work on one of the other options (article, report, letter/email, or story in FCE for Schools).

Writing reviews is fun!

OK OK, it might not be as much fun as, for example,  spending a year travelling around the world, but compared to other writing tasks in the FCE exam, such as essays, it definitely feels a little bit more casual and easy-going.

What a typical review task looks like

How many words should you use in and FCE writing task?

1. 140-190
2. 220-260
3. as many as you want
4. Not too long, but no limit

Reviews wanted

                                      What's on in your area?

We're looking for reviews of leisure activities that young visitors can do in your local area. Tell us about an activity you have tried yourself. In your review describe your experience, positive or negative, of trying the activity. Say whether or not you would recommend it to other people your age who are visiting the area.

Check two things when looking at a writing task: what to include and who is going to read your text. Read the task carefully and underline the key parts. Below I have done all of that for you.

Activity: In pairs

Look at the reviews on the central table and take a photo of the best and the worst!

Load them up to the next slide (best)/

Worst on slide 12

Upload a screen shot of the review you thought was the BEST
Say why you think it is good

Upload a screen shot of the review you thought was the WORST
Say why you think it is NOT a good example

In groups of four 

Create a marking criteria for a Review

Think of at least four important things that need to be included when writing a good review.

Having compared notes it seems that the best reviews are those that include the following.......

1. Introduction: 

Use a personal question

2. Description

a. Stick to the question 

b. Use adjectives and adverbs to make it interesting

3.Discussion

 Use specific language to give your opinion:

 In my opinion/view, …For me, …

 I think/believe/feel that …

            4.Recommendation

a. Use specific language: I recommend/suggest

b. Write a final sentence to conclude the                                                  review.

Now it’s time to practice

I believe that reviews are one of the more enjoyable writing tasks and, hopefully, this LessonUp will help you improve.

Remember the criteria we have come up with