WRITING ENTRY 4 WR4

Writing Entry 4
A Review of a Film or Book
Writing: The characteristics of a good review
Writing with style
Positive and negative words
Giving opinions
Writing Task: A review of a film or book

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD REVIEW

1. Work in groups and discuss these questions. Then compare your answers with those of
other students in the class.
1. What sorts of things are reviews written about?
2. Do you ever read reviews? If so, about what sorts of things?
3. How many of the following things should a review provide?
a) basic information about the content of what is being reviewed – both what it is about
and also practical details like where to see it, who produced it, etc.
b) the reviewer’s personal opinion of the work
c) a recommendation as to whether the readers of the review would or would not enjoy
the book/ film/ music/ video game/ television programme being reviewed
d) some helpful comments for the benefit of the performers/ writers etc. involved in the
work being reviewed
e) an enjoyable piece of writing, with perhaps some relevance to aspects of life beyond
the limits of the work under review
2. Read the review of The Girl of His Dreams. As you read, think about whether the reviewer
is meeting the aim in activity 1. Then answer the questions below.
A. What is the reviewer’s impression of the book?
a) very favourable
b) mostly favourable with the occasional doubt
c) mildly positive, but quite negative in places
B. What paragraph(s) in the review deal(s) with:
a) the plot?
b) The reviewer’s recommendation?
c) The reviewer’s evaluation?
d) The introduction and background of the book?
C. Read the review again. Find adjectives the reviewer uses to describe:
a) the city: ........................., .........................
b) the novel/ the writing: ................., ................., ................., ................, ................, .................
c) the characters: ........................., ........................., .........................
What’s the meaning of the adjectives?

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THE GIRL OF HIS DREAMS by Donna Leon

Not only a simple ‘whodunit’...
Reviewed by Steven Shuttleworth

She carries no identity and there is no record

of a missing child. More mysterious is the
gold jewellery that the girl is carrying.
Brunetti and his colleague Ispettore Vianello
set out to discover the identity of the victim
as well as the cause of her death. This search
takes them from the houses of well-to-do
Venetians to the poverty of a gypsy camp
outside the city. It is also a journey through
the problems and prejudices of
contemporary society.

This chapter in the continuing Brunetti saga

is without doubt one of the most enjoyable.
It is an enjoyable
ble piece of crime fiction, with
a very definite mystery to unravel. The
ending is very satisfying. However, The Girl
of His Dreams is not only a simple whodunit,
but also contains all the usual joys we have
come to expect from Donna Leon. The
writing is lucid
ucid and there is the feeling the
writer being in complete control of her craft.
The descriptions of Venice is extremely vivid,
Venice is one of the most sumptuous cities in demonstrating Donna Leon’s extraordinary
the world. Have you ever wanted to go there ability to bring the gorgeous city to life. The
without having to leave home? The easiest characters in the book are multifaceted,
multifacete and,
way to have a quick trip to Venice is by as such, very human. Brunetti is not a
reading one of Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti policeman who deals in a world of black and
crime novels. This is a must-read
must series for white. His is a world of subtle shades of grey
lovers of crime fiction. and he is all the more interesting for it.
Finally, this is a novel that balances forces of
The Girl of His Dreams is the latest book in darkness and light. It reminds
rem us that we live
this series based around the Venetian police in a morally challenging world.
commissario Guido Brunetti. Brunetti is an
entirely original creation: a gifted and If you like a fulfilling crime story, then this
dedicated detective, who is also a loving book is for you. If you like a satisfying novel
family man that delights in his wife’s mouth-
mouth with multifaceted characters of real depth
watering cooking. He is surrounded by a now and insight, then this book is also for you. I
family cast of family members and colleagues recommend getting hold of a copy as soon as
who can be in turns both lovable and you can. You don’t have to have read the
exasperating. Guido Brunetti is a very human previous Brunetti novels to enjoy and
detective you would like to get to know. appreciate The Girl of His Dreams.
Dreams But then
you might just want to go back to Death at La
The Girl of His Dreams begins with a different Fenice (the first) to savour the delights of
kind of death – the funeral of Brunetti’s this fantastic series from the beginning. Once
mother. However, before long, there is a you’ve read one Brunetti instalment, you’ll
second death. This time a young girl is pulled want to rush out and get the rest.
from the waters of Venice’s Grand Canal.

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WRITING WITH STYLE

It is, of course possible to write a review in a very straightforward way. The reviewer of The Girl
of his Dreams could, for example, have written something along the following lines.

Donna Leon’s series Guido Brunetti not only contains great crime stories but also gives the
reader a detailed description of Venice, one of the most sumptuous cities in the world. If you
are a crime fiction lover, you cannot miss this series.

Writing with style is something that is extremely personal. It involves using your own
experience and your own language skills to write in a particular individual way. The best
way to improve your writing style – in English, as in any language – is probably to read as
widely as possible and then to experiment with your writing. The examination room is not
the best place for experiment, of course, but it is a good idea to take advantage of the writing
classes you have before the exam in order to try out some experiments with language on your
teacher and your fellow-students.

3. Look at the following short extracts from a number of different reviews. ‘Translate’ each
into straightforward English as in the paraphrase of the review The Girl of his Dreams
above. What techniques has the writer used to make his or her work more interesting than
the paraphrase.
1. Teenagers are one of the species so far not to have
been made the subject of a nature programme. This is
a pity. The greater spotted variety, legendary for its
long periods of indolence interspersed with frantic
spells of alien activity, fascinates naturalists and
anthropologists alike.
2. Society: is it a free association, a living organism or an
open prison? Or does it, as the Great Leaderene*
wanted us to believe, not really exist, being only an
accidental gathering together of free-floating and
fiercely competing units, families, individuals? John
Arden’s Live Like Pigs (Theatre Upstairs) was written
in 1958 but it could have been written last week...
* humours nickname used to refer to Margaret Thatcher
when she was a Prime Minister

3. Whitney Houston is the Arnold Schwarzenegger* of

soul. Other vocalists may exude more character,
more sexiness, more charm even but for the sheer
dimension and technical range of her voice, nobody
else can touch her. In so far as a singer can be said to
ripple and bulge with vocal muscles, she does.
* muscular, physically tough film star who played the
lead in, for example, the Terminator films.

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4. When experimenting with style, native speakers also have to avoid a number of common
stylistic errors. Can you identify what the stylistic errors are in the following sentences?
Note that one or two of the examples are clumsy rather than strictly wrong.
1. The moment he opened his mouth, he realised he had put his foot in it.
..............................................................................................................................................................
2. Jumping out of bed, John’s clothes were nowhere to be found.
..............................................................................................................................................................
3. She planned how she should address the director’s meeting lying in the bath.
..............................................................................................................................................................
4. I was interested by the way the film showed some very interesting views of New
Zealand.
..............................................................................................................................................................
5. Born in 1976, his childhood was spent in London.
..............................................................................................................................................................
6. I am assured that the film is based on the honest truth.
..............................................................................................................................................................
7. The first night of this play was a very unique experience.
..............................................................................................................................................................
8. The Irish Free State had held out the olive branch but nothing concrete had come of it.
..............................................................................................................................................................
5. Experiment by trying to write one of the ideas below. Compare your experiments with
those of other students in the class.
- a book review that opens with a provocative question
- a review of the work of a film actor which is based on an unusual comparison
- a review of a light-hearted children’s story which treats it as deeply as serious literature
- a review of a song which relates it to some personal experience of your own

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WORDS

Some words have strong positive associations in English whereas others have negative
associations. Thus, if someone says that a comedy at the theatre was hilarious you can be sure
that they enjoyed it; if, however, their comment is that it was ridiculous, it is clear that they
found it silly.

6. Below are a number of adjectives which might appear in reviews. Decide if they are
positive or negative.
absurd engrossing impressive shameful
brilliant exhilarating inspiring stimulating
captivating fascinating invaluable tasteful
disgraceful first-rate irritating self-indulgent
dynamic grotesque ludicrous tedious
self-conscious

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7. Work with a partner and decide what the speaker is probably talking about in the
following statements. Also decide whether the speaker is expressing an opinion that is
basically positive or negative.
1. I was so engrossed that I literally couldn’t put it down.
2. Jack interprets the lyrics in an unusual but rather captivating way.
3. Most of the shooting was done on location and they certainly used some impressive sites.
4. Although the decor is tasteful, the choice is restricted and the service slow and rather
unsmiling.
5. It is a sensitive and inspiring approach to a difficult subject and is certainly worth waiting
up for.
6. For a still-life it is remarkably dynamic.
7. Although I find his work rather self-indulgent, I am still intrigued by his use of
alliteration, rhythm and rhyme.
8. The costumes and props are amateurish and at times rather absurd but the lines, on the
whole, are well-delivered.
8. Work with a partner and choose five or six of the words from activity 6 that were new to
you and that you would like to learn. Note something that you both feel could be
appropriately described by that adjective, e.g. first-rate – X’s performance on TV last night.

GIVING OPINIONS

There are many different ways of presenting your opinion in a piece of written work. You can
use, for instance:
• I + verb, e.g. I think, I consider, I believe ...
• an adjective or adverb + adjective combination, e.g. The film is (highly) amusing, vividly
inaccurate.
• a phrase, e.g. in my opinion, to my mind, from my brother’s point of view...
• an adverb which indicates opinion, e.g. undoubtedly, surprisingly, confusingly
• a statement beginning it is ... following by an adjective and, frequently, a clause with
should, e.g. It is disgraceful that such a film should be made.
• an adverb + past participle combination, e.g. The film is well produced, badly acted,
appallingly directed.

9. Complete these sentences with one word only.

1. Such roles, ........................... my mind, are likely to occur once in a lifetime.
2. ........................... my opinion, the play deserved its rave reviews.
3. I can’t agree ........................... people who have admired his previous work.
4. As far as my mother was ..........................., the play was utterly ridiculous.
5. ........................... I see it, there are two main types of popular films.
6. From the point of ........................... of the audience, the performance is far too long.
7. It is my ........................... that James Wolf will turn out to be one of the great actors of the
future.
8. Generally ..........................., the play was well acted.

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10. Match the adverb on the left with the adjective or participle on the right with which it has
the strongest collocation.
1. profoundly improved
2. excruciatingly developed
3. deeply formed
4. eagerly moving
5. admirably deserved
6. considerably dressed
7. impeccably disappointing
8. richly awaited
9. perfectly exciting
10. highly boring
11. wildly honest

11. As a class, choose one or more examples of each of the things in

the list. Try to select examples which are familiar to as many
students as possible. Write the names of the selected songs, films,
TV programmes etc. On the board.
- a song that is currently popular
- a film which is on in your town at the moment
- a TV programme which has recently been shown
- a book which you have read in English
- an old film
- a recent sport event
- a popular singer or group
- a book which you use to help you learn English
Write sentences expressing your opinion about as many of the
things or people listed on the board as possible. Try to use
different ways of giving your opinion.
Take each of the things or people listed on the board in turns and
compare the opinion sentences written by different students in
the class. How much do you agree with each other’s opinions?

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USEFUL LANGUAGE

12. Here is some useful language for writing a review:

PROVIDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

‘A Horse of a Different Colour’ is Michael Gordon’s fourth novel/ second film/ first major role.
‘In the Beginning was the Word’ came on at Odeon cinemas last week and I went along to see it.

INTRODUCING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PLOT

Set in 18th century London, the film tells the story of/ recounts events in the lives of three sisters.
In the breathtaking landscape of northern Canada, the book examines the themes of solitude and
intimacy.
On the eve of the First World War, the series introduces us to the Wilson household.

COMMENTING CRITICALLY

I found the plot rather conventional/ predictable/ contrived/ completely bizarre/ absurd/
incomprehensible.
The novelist has succeeded in creating an extremely intricate/ complex plot/ entirely believable/
life-like characters.
The characters are completely believable/ unconvincing and the dialogue is witty/ stilted and
natural/ artificial.
The main actor was absolutely brilliant/ was verging on the incompetent.
A particular strength/ weakness of the production was the set design by Marcelo Camilleri.

PROVIDING A RECOMMENDATION

I would strongly advise you not to miss/ waste your money on ‘Ain’t Got a Clue’.
I would definitely recommend seeing/ reading ‘Melbourne: a Sentimental Journey’.
For those who enjoy adventure stories, ‘Tropical String’ is not to be missed.
Go and see ‘Mornix’. You’ll be amazed.

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING (STRENGTHS OR TWO EVENTS)

While/ Whereas/ Although/ Despite the fact that/ In spite of the fact that characterisation was
particularly strong, the plot gradually lost credibility.
The cast is brilliant; especially when you take into account how truly dreadful the script is.
‘I Remember What You Did Last Summer’ is a masterpiece; ‘Looking for Sam’ is the opposite.
Both films are likely to appeal to younger audiences, but ‘Postmortem’ will be especially appealing.
Neither the novel nor the film fully convinced me, though the character of Margo really comes alive
on the screen.

Look back at the review on page 2 and other reviews in the homework handout. Find any
useful expressions that are not included in the list above.

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WRITING PRACTICE

13. Choose one of the following exam questions.

Exam Question 1
Write your answer in 300 – 350 words in an appropriate style.
One of your favourite novels has just been turned into a film. Write a review of the
film for a quality media magazine, and comment on how successful the
dramatisation has been.
Write your review.

Exam Question 2
Write your answer in 300 – 350 words in an appropriate style.
A magazine you sometimes contribute to has a regular page entitled ‘A Good Read’.
The editor has invited you to write a review of a classic novel for this page and to
explain its enduring popularity.
Write your review.

• Brainstorm the topic

Note down a description of the book/ film, including a brief outline of the plot and the
main characters. Remember that it’s much easier to write about a book/film you have
actually read/ seen.

• Make a plan
Make a paragraph plan, so that your review will be well-organised. Make sure you write
a clear introduction and conclusion.

• Think about vocabulary

Try to use some of the words and expressions you have learned.

• Think about tenses

Use a range of present tenses, including Present Perfect, to outline the plot.