How to write a review

How to write a review

By Luciana Springfield

What is a review?

A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms.

Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in its knowledge, judgments, or organization. You should clearly state your opinion of the work in question, and that statement will probably resemble other types of academic writing, with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

How to write a review?

Typically, reviews are brief. In newspapers and academic journals, they rarely exceed 1000 words, although you may encounter lengthier assignments and extended commentaries. But with most types of reviews, there’s a simple structure you can stick to in order to help you get started:

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1. A thesis

   Before you write, make sure you know the general message you want to convey. A simple thesis will help keep your review from straying off-topic. This could be as straightforward as “I really liked this meal!” or as complex as “These shoes took a while to wear in.” Think to yourself: If I were telling a friend about this, what would I want their main takeaway to be?​

How to write a review?

2. Likes and dislikes

   In the most glowing review, you may not include any dislikes. If the review is critical, try to find at least one positive to include, just to provide a break in between your critics.

3. Your recommendation

   A star rating may be the first thing most people see, but when folks skim your review, they’ll probably check the bottom for an idea of whether or not you’d recommend the meal, album, hike, or movie to others. You could also include a short explanation, like “I knocked it down one star because my utensils were dirty,” or “I’d recommend this play, but only if you’re as big of a musical theater buff as I am.”

How to write a review?

No matter what kind of review you’re writing, here are a few more quick tips:

• Judge the product, restaurant, escape room, or dog park for what it is. If you’re reviewing a McDonald’s, don’t complain about how you weren’t waited on hand and foot. Write your review based on reasonable expectations.

• Assume the best. You’re often assessing someone’s execution of their vision or product of their hard work, especially when it comes to art or food. You’re also more than likely writing this review on the internet, where the creator could probably find and see it in just a few clicks. We’re all human—assume the people who made this thing weren’t out to get you.

• Check your writing. Reviews reflect back on you, and readers might not take your opinion seriously if your spelling is all over the place or you use the word “ambiance” three times in one sentence.

How to write a movie review?

Some details are essential

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There are a few facts that anyone reading your review should take away:

• Who directed the movie?

• Who starred in it?

• Is it a sequel, adaptation, or remake?

Some publications, simply list the director and key actors near the top of each review. But others instead weave in such information throughout the piece. If you opt for the latter approach, throw in some helpful context as you go. Not every reader of your review of The Shape of Water will recognize Guillermo del Toro’s name, but mentioning his earlier works, like Pan’s Labyrinth, might jog a few memories.

Other bits are fine to leave out

​ While it’s good to provide context, don’t overdo it. One or two telling details will often suffice—no need to recapitulate anyone’s entire filmography. Likewise, if your review includes a comprehensive summary of the movie’s plot, you’re doing it wrong.​

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​​How do I decide what makes the cut?

As a test, when you’re not sure a particular detail merits inclusion, ask yourself: If I omit this, and a reader later learns it elsewhere, will they feel like I blew it?

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Ratings systems might just be overrated

Film reviews are subjective. You’re under no obligation to rate movies on a hard scale—A+, 9/10, a solid four stars out of five, etc.​ Rather than grasp for an arbitrary value, state plainly what a movie called to mind, or how it didn’t quite land with you, and explain why.

Study the greats

​ There’s no shortage of opinions on movies in the world, but try focusing on one or two critics whose work resonates with you. Make a habit of examining their latest each week. Look for patterns. Try to notice what they’re noticing.

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Your job’s not done if you haven’t considered…

To instill trust in your readers, you have to think and write about movies holistically. You might have strong opinions on martial arts and Victorian fashion, but your audience will doubt you if you judge a film solely on its action sequences or costuming. Pay attention to the quality of the acting, whether the camerawork held your interest and felt deliberate also, whether the world felt inhabited or thrown together.

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Finally, you can take notes as you watch the movie

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

the second, third, fourth, etc. of a film or book

• pace

• a sequel

• a poster

• the plot

• a character

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

a person in a story

• to set

• pace

• a poster

• the plot

• a character

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

the story

• to set

• pace

• a poster

• the plot

• special effects

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

to locate a film or book in a place

• to set

• pace

• a poster

• to cast

• special effects

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

a large picture to advertise a film

• a character

• pace

• a poster

• to cast

• special effects

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

to choose actors

• a character

• a sequel

• a poster

• to cast

• special effects

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

the speed of the events of a story

• a character

• a sequel

• a poster

• pace

• special effects

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word for this definition:

the speed of the events of a story

• a character

• special effects

• a poster

• the plot

• special effects

Obviously, this is the sequel to Fun in the City, which is a film I didn't like so it's fair to say my expectations were low. So, you could say I wasn't disappointed, as it met my expectations. It was awful! It was so awful, I'd rather not spend any more time on it by talking about it. But, that wouldn't be a film review and I think I owe you all a review to save you wasting your money going to see it.

So, it starts off with this big wedding scene. And, I won't go into why, but the whole scene is just there so they can make this one joke. It's not even a funny joke ... it's just, ah, it's just terrible. It's got nothing to do with the rest of the film. Anyway, it starts there. Then, instead of the characters and the plot staying in New York where the original film was set, one of them wins a ticket to India and decides to take all her friends. It's what directors do when they've run out of ideas … let's take our characters on tour!

Anyway, they gossip, cry and shop, and they repeat this until the end. No real people would ever act like this. I didn't have any sympathy for their problems or even care what happened to them. Don't go and see it, you'll only encourage them to make another sequel. The world doesn't need three of these films. Please save your money and go and see the other big film this week: Twilight Mirror.

So, if you're a fan of the book it's based on, you're probably as excited as I was about this. For everyone else, this is a film fans have been waiting ten years to see. I have to confess, I was a bit nervous. I'd seen the posters and they didn't look right. I didn't love them at all. And I wasn't sure about the actors they cast either. So I went in not sure what to expect. But … I loved it.

One thing I really liked about it was the pace. They went backwards and forwards between the real world and the computer world and it worked really well. The special effects brought the computer world to life and I totally believed in it. But, more than that, I felt emotionally connected to the story and the characters. The whole film worked on so many levels. It reminded me of going to the cinema as a child – how much fun that was. I can't recommend it enough.

EXAMPLE:

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

is the second in the story

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

has unrealistic characters

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

made the reviewer feel like a child again

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

The reviewer hated it

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

is a story a lot of people already know

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

The reviewer felt sympathetic towards the characters.

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

was better than the reviewer expected

• the first film

• the second film

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct group for the description:

was what the reviewer expected

• the first film

• the second film

Open Ended

What was the last film you watched? What did you think of it?

Multiple Select

Which words would you see in a restaurant review? Choose the correct answers.

• mains

• side order

• receptionist

• service

Multiple Select

Which words would you see in a restaurant review? Choose the correct answers.

• tip

• check out

• reservation

• order

How to write a restaurant review?

Set the Stage

Let readers know immediately that the review contains useful information and is worth reading. Open the review with an enticing line that promises an interesting payoff (whether delicious or dreadful). Next, share some context. Why did you decide to try this particular restaurant? What time of day did you go? What size was your party? How did the waitstaff treat you? What was the ambiance like?

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​Deliver the Main Course

How was the food? If a dish was “great,” be sure to describe why. What were the flavors, textures, and appearance like? Carefully select a few punchy adjectives for your descriptions—too few will leave your writing bland, too many will bog it down.

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Wrap Up the Takeaway

End with a punchy summary of why you think other diners should (or shouldn’t) visit the restaurant. For example: Don’t let appearances fool you—the decor may be divey, but the pies are fantastic. This place is perfect for groups or a casual date night.

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​Take Notes (and Pictures!)

To write a vibrant review, you’ll want to capture your thoughts and experiences while they’re still fresh. Use your smartphone or notebook during the meal to jot down highlights and subtler details.

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Get Specific

Avoid vague words and phrases like “The service was bad” or “The pie was great.” Instead, provide specific details like, “The server was friendly but inexperienced and botched our drink order” or “The lemon meringue pie had a wonderfully flaky crust, a tart and tangy filling, and dreamy melt-in-your-mouth meringue.”

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Be Fair

If you’ve visited a restaurant several times and only once had a bad experience, be sure to note this in your review. Everyone has an off night now and again.

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​Don’t Rant

Parking was an ordeal, you suffered through a long wait for your table, then endured a careless server and over-priced, disappointing food. So, describe the specific details of why your experience wasn't the expected. This will help other diners make an informed decision on whether they should give the restaurant a chance—or a hard pass.

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Vega, New York

Reviewed yesterday

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆​

​Great mains, pity about the chips Came for lunch with my sister. We loved our Thai-style mains which were amazing with lots of flavour, very impressive for a vegetarian restaurant.

But the service was below average, and the chips were too terrible to finish.

When we arrived at 1.40, we had to wait 20 minutes while they got our table ready. OK, so we didn’t have a reservation, but the restaurant was only half full. There was no reason to make us wait at all.

We ordered the chips as a side dish and they looked delicious. But, when we tasted them, they were overcooked and swimming in oil so we left most of them. We expected a lot more for $10!

When the waiter asked if everything was OK, we said we really didn’t like the chips and he said ‘That’s funny, I love them’ and that was it. He didn’t offer us anything else or take them off our bill. Also, when we didn’t leave a tip, he looked annoyed.

I was really excited about visiting Vega, and the mains were just fantastic, but the rest of the experience was really disappointing.​

EXAMPLE:

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

1. The review overall is …

• very positive

• partly positive, partly negative

• very negative

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

2. When they arrived at the restaurant, the problem was …

• they had to wait

• they didn’t have a reservation

• the restaurant was already full

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

3. The best thing was …

• the service

• the side dish

• the mains

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

4. The chips were …

• delicious

• overcooked and oily

• more than $10

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

5. They didn’t leave a tip because the waiter was …

• annoying

• slow

• unhelpful

Open Ended

Have you ever had a bad meal in a restaurant?

Open Ended

Which of these words are positive and which are negative?

amazing - overcooked - below - average - fantastic - impressive - disappointing - terrible - delicious

Open Ended

What book would you recommend?

How to write a book review?

A Hook

A “hook” is a line that catches your audience’s attention and piques their interest so they’ll continue reading your review instead of scrolling past it. Your hook could be a compelling or provocative statement, for example: "Margaret Atwood’s subversive brilliance shines in new and unexpected ways with this masterpiece." Or even a question, for example: "Ever wondered what the lovechild of Twilight and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy would look like?"

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Essential Book Information

Share any general information about the book that is important for readers to know. The title and author are an obvious choice. The year the book was published may be relevant if it came out 10+ years ago. Be sure to mention if the book is part of a series and whether it’s necessary to have read other books in the series before this book.

Basic Plot Summary

Share a high-level synopsis of the plot so your audience gets the gist of what the story is about. Best practice is to leave out the climax or ending of the book and avoid giving away spoilers so you don’t ruin the story for your audience.

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Your Praise and Critique

This section is the most important part of your review and should be the longest. Anyone can summarize a plot, but what is your unique take on this book? Simply saying a book was “good” or “bad”, or that you liked it or didn’t, isn’t helpful. Let your audience know why you think it’s a great read, or why you found it disappointing. Sharing these details will help your audience form their own opinion of whether they would enjoy reading the book. For example: "The vivid language instantly transported me into the world, but there were several huge plot holes that didn’t make sense."

Your Recommendation

After sharing your praise and critique, let your audience know your conclusions. Who do you think would enjoy this book? Did you personally dislike it because of the time travel paradoxes, but think that folks who like a good space opera would have fun with it? Is this the 16th book in a series that was starting to grow stale, and you were pleasantly surprised by some new characters?

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Your Rating

Most review sites provide a star rating system. Let your audience know your rationale for choosing a particular rating. If you’re reviewing a book on your personal blog and using your own rating system, be sure to explain this as well.

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Don’t Be Mean

Remember that you’re reviewing a book that another human poured their heart and soul into to write. Express your honest opinion, but don’t be nasty about it. Imagine if it were your book being reviewed, how would you want a reader to express their critique?

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The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut on the Ares 3 mission to Mars. After a terrible storm almost destroys the ship and the base, the crew of his ship believe he is dead. But Mark does not die in the storm, and he has been left behind. Alone on the red planet, he has to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives.

While this novel is fiction, in some ways it feels like non-fiction. It is very scientific and packed with details about survival on Mars. Watney is a botanist and engineer, and he begins to grow food and produce water in his artificial camp. How does he do this? The answers are explained with lots of very convincing calculations.

The author is Andy Weir, and this is his first published book. In it he has created a realistic character. There is a lot of humour in the story, and the reader can identify with the emotions (although no one can really imagine what it's like to be on Mars). Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never gives up. Without the character of Mark Watney, this book would only be a scientific look at survival on Mars. Instead, what The Martian gives us is a realistic look at an intelligent person alone on a planet and trying to survive.

The majority of the plot takes place on Mars and is written in the form of Watney's journal entries. This diary style makes the character of Watney very real. Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel one-dimensional.

I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end. I would recommend this book to all audiences. It's good not only for space travel fans and scientists but for anyone who is looking for a unique and exciting story. The Martian was so popular that it was made into a film starring Matt Damon in 2015, but I recommend reading the book first.

EXAMPLE:

Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the word in CAPITALS.

1. It is very scientific and PACKED with details about survival on Mars.

• filled

• ready for a trip

• empty

Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the word in CAPITALS.

2. … he begins to grow food and produce water in his ARTIFICIAL camp.

• from the military

• not natural

• imaginary

Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the word in CAPITALS.

3. Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never GIVES UP.

• stops trying

• escapes

• begins

Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the word in CAPITALS.

4. The majority of the plot takes place on Mars, and is written in the form of Watney’s JOURNAL ENTRIES.

• things you write in a diary

• newspaper articles

• types of transport

Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the word in CAPITALS.

5. Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel ONE-DIMENSIONAL.

• complicated

• not deep, not realistic

• interesting

Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the word in CAPITALS.

6. I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT until the very end.

• bored and sleepy

• confused and lost

• very excited, wondering what is going to happen

If you had to write a review, what would you write about and why?