Introduction => Paragraph 1:
A couple of words about:
- background
- type of story book / film / play / the genre of the book
- is the film based on a book? which one?
- setting (where / when)
- theme
- main character
Main Body: [Paragraphs 2 & 3 (&4)]
Paragraph 2: actual description / main points of the plot (without revealing the ending)
Paragraph 3:
- actual review
- actual review
- comments and evaluation of various features
(e.g. acting, plot, characters, writing style, direction, etc.)
(e.g. acting, plot, characters, writing style, direction, etc.)
Paragraph 4: Extra Paragraph If needed (e.g. 4): όταν δεν μπορώ να εντάξω κάποιο ερώτημα πουθενά, σε καμιά άλλη παράγραφο.
Conclusion => Final paragraph
Overall assessment of work / recommendation (with justification)
USEFULL LANGUAGE
To begin:
This well written / informative / fascinating / thought-provoking book (film etc.) is...
The film / book / play / is set in .../ tells the story of... / is based on...
The film / play stars... / is directed by... is the sequel to ...
To end:
You should definitely see / read...
Don't miss it
You might enjoy
All in all, it is well worth seeing / reading, since...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend it, in view on the fact that...
It is a classic of its kind / it is sure to be a hit / best-seller...
What I liked
What I liked most was …..
The thing I liked most was ….I was pleasantly surprised by …..
….. would appeal to …..
If you get a chance to ….
What I disliked
What I disliked most was …..
I was disappointed by/with ……
Criticism
The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.
The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
The characters are appealing and true to life
The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish
Recommendations
I would strongly encourage you not to miss/not to waste your money on...
I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at ...
Reviews of books
- main character
- is set in
- Fiction: science fiction / thriller / fantasy / mystery / historical / romance ...
- Non-fiction: cook book / travel book / textbook / manual / coffee-table book ...
- atmosphere / plot
- author
- written by
- chapter
- factual
- unbelievable
- bestseller
- ending
Reviews of concerts
- artist / band / musician / (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist / (backing/lead) singer / drummer / soloist / trio / orchestra
- auditorium / hall / venue / lyrics / (catchy) tune / score / gig
Reviews of exhibitions
- painting / sculpture / handicrafts
- gallery / catalogue / display
Reviews of films
- lead role
- star role
- star
- star actor/actress
- starring
- secondary role
- He plays a …….
- written by ….
- cast / director / producer
- is set in …..
- based on a true story …..
- believable
- true to life
- not very believable
- far-fetched
- (As for fiction books +): animation / adaptation / comedy
- Costumes / design / photography / script / special effects / soundtrack
- ending
Reviews of plays
- scene / act / set / stage / interval
Reviews of TV programmes
- Chat shows / current affairs programme / debate / documentary / series / soap opera/ sitcom (situation comedy)
- Host / presenter
Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc
- location
- service
- setting
- attractive / disappointing setting
- owned by
- run by
- head chef (restaurant)
- waiters (restaurant)
- staff …….
- staff at reception …….(hotel)
- hotel facilities ….
- reasonable prices …..
- good/excellent/poor value for money …..
- (a bit/somehow) expensive
- overpriced
- not worth the money
- always fully booked
- book in advance
SAMPLE 1:
Write your answer to the following question in 280 – 320 words in an appropriate style:
A literary magazine is running a series of reviews of books that people enjoyed reading as a child and would recommend for children today. You decide to send in a review in which you describe a book you enjoyed and the attractions it had for you as a child. You should also describe why you feel it remains relevant for children today.
Few books since have captivated me the way Oscar Wilde’s “Happy Prince and Other Stories” did when I was a child. One of my fondest childhood memories is my mother reading aloud to me from a beautifully illustrated copy at bedtime and trying her hardest to patiently answer my questions about the stories’ meanings. The book was full of moral messages which Wilde managed to deliver in a way that was infinitely more subtle than anything else I had read or been read until that point.
My favourite story was entitled “The Nightingale and the Rose”. It tells of a student who was in love with a girl from high society. The girl promises the student that she will accompany him to a dance the following day if he brings her a red rose. A nightingale overhears the student declaring his deep love for the girl while lamenting the absence in his garden of the red rose that would win her heart. Moved by the boy’s love for the girl, the nightingale asks all the rosebushes to produce a red rose for him, finally sacrificing his own life to produce one coloured by his own blood. The student picks the rose and presents it to his love, only for her to reject him having been offered jewels by another suitor.
Wilde’s commentary on materialism and the nature of love are complex themes for young minds. Nevertheless, it was through discussing these ideas with my mother that I was able to truly engage with the morality of the story. Until then, most fiction I had been exposed to presented its moral messages in far more obvious terms. I believe that the level of critical thought required to understand Wilde’s work makes books such as “The Happy Prince” so much richer than most other children’s literature and this need is as pressing today as it was when I was a child.
SAMPLE 2:
The most UPLIFTING and the biggest DOWNER: It's sometimes hard to choose a film that fits your mood purely on the basis of the poster or the description on the cover of the DVD. That's why we want to publish reviews of the most uplifting and the most depressing films our readers have seen, so that others know what to watch and what to avoid.
Send in a review which describes the most uplifting film you've ever seen and the one you found the biggest downer. Make sure you give reasons for your choices.
Send in a review which describes the most uplifting film you've ever seen and the one you found the biggest downer. Make sure you give reasons for your choices.
In this review I am going to compare two contrasting tales about overcoming adversity. Whereas The Blind Side (2009) left me with a huge grin on my face, sadly, Doctor Zhivago (1965) left me feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Doctor Zhivago, directed by five-time Oscar winner David Lean, is set in the Bolshevik revolution and follows the title character, who must adapt to the new order while pining for Lara, the beautiful wife of a political campaigner. The director succeeded in creating a film that is thoroughly engaging but full of gritty realism, cruelty and tragic irony. Take the tissues!
The Blind Side, which is based on a true story, is also a bit of a tearjerker, in a completely different way. Starring Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a rich white mother in Tennessee who takes a homeless black teenager under her roof. Understandably, the gentle giant thinks he isn't good at anything but his new mother sees his potential to become a football star and part of the family. The plot is based on a true story, making it all the more touching.
I would strongly recommend The Blind Side. It will appeal to a range of people and is a great choice for a movie night. Although Doctor Zhivago is a classic, I think it has more of a niche audience and is best saved for when you want a dose of gloom!
SAMPLE 3:
Ever fancied yourself as a music journalist? Now's your chance. We're looking for enthusiastic music lovers to write a review of their favourite album of all time. We want to know why you love it and why you think everyone should listen to it. It doesn't matter who the artist is or how old or new the music is.
Send in a review of your favourite album of all time giving reasons for your choice.
Send in a review of your favourite album of all time giving reasons for your choice.
A thrilling album
I'm certainly not alone in my choice of favourite album. In fact, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has sold over 50 million copies worldwide since being released in 1982, and still currently holds the much coveted title of "best-selling album of all time". A toe-tapping blend of pop, funk and R&B, it's sure to get everyone grooving at a party, yet also contains unexpected emotional power in the lyrics.
Jam-packed full of catchy melodies such as the opening "Wanna be startin' something" and the famous "Beat it", almost every song makes you want to hum along. It's like a feast for the ears, with a range of styles from the soft duet ballad with Paul McCartney "The Girl is Mine" to the rock/pop of the title track. The album will leave you with no doubt of the unique and extraordinary talent of the King of Pop. What disco would be complete without a few of his renowned numbers?
Unlike much of today's modern pop, this album actually deals with a huge number of deep themes such as jealousy, loneliness and obsession. The song "Billie Jean", for example, chronicles a story of a crazed fan who insists that she has his baby. Not hard to imagine that the artist was channelling some real experiences in his writing.
It doesn't surprise me at all that this remains the best-selling album of all time and I challenge even the most cynical listener to play "Thriller" without tapping along.
Vertigo
Vertigo
The dark knight rises
Question
You have been asked to contribute to a local arts magazine on the following topic:
| The book I would most like to see made into a film: |
Write the book review for the editor of the arts magazine. (around 280 - 320 words)
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