How to write a good review

The review is a genre of journalism that emerged in the eighteenth century. In its essence, a review resembles a review, but it is characterised by a thorough analysis, arguments and objective criticism of the work.

Types of reviews

According to the object of the review can be:

• For literary works.
• For musical works.
• On scientific publications.
• On films.
• On IT products.
• On merchandise.

By authorship, the following materials are distinguished:

• Consumer (written by those who have used the product of their own volition for their own money).
• Commissioned (written at the initiative of the creator of the product, the money received by the reviewer).
• Expert (a reviewer is a professional).

A review can be of varying length and can be written in a scientific or journalistic style.

How to write a good review

To write a good material it is important:

• Be objective and tactful.
• Provide arguments.
• Give equal weight to merits and demerits.
• Avoid spoilers.
• Avoid personal remarks about the author.
• Avoid unnecessary information.
• Use language that is understandable.

Structure of the review

The material includes the following parts:

1. Introduction. Here it is important to specify basic information about the product, author’s data, vivid characteristics of the characters which will help to interest the reader.
2. Main section. The reviewer examines the problems of the work, analyses the questions answered by the author, cites the key idea of the work, specifies whether the author managed to reveal the theme and achieve the goals set. Here the most significant passages of the work may be considered.
3. Concluding part with conclusions. The reviewer sums up the results of the study, shares general impressions. You may point out again successful and unsuccessful details, compare the work with other works of the same author, evaluate the importance of the idea. The critic makes assumptions about who might like the work.

Typical mistakes made by beginners

Beginner reviewers may make the following mistakes:

• The author has only studied part of the work, is poorly acquainted with the topic.
• The reviewer retells the plot in detail, whereas a few sentences are sufficient.
• The critic uses a colloquial style, using jargon.
• The text is overly emotional. Remember that the main thing is facts.
• The critic discusses abstract topics or gives examples from his or her own life. When writing a review it is important to concentrate on a specific thought.
• The review has grammatical, factual or stylistic errors.

Thus, before writing a review, it is important to read the work thoughtfully, analyse it and formulate your own opinion with arguments.