REVIEWS

STRUCTURE

Consider all the parts of the question and use that to help organise your review. Make notes
about the following:

● An interesting title

● A catchy introduction

● A summary of the plot

● A surprising moment

● Your recommendation

Remember to​ separate these with clear paragraphs ​that are going to help the examiner
read to the end without getting a headache.

You also need to consider the tone and how the review should sound to the reader.You
should sound chatty and grab the reader’s attention, but not bore them to sleep. Think
semi-formal but friendly!

Useful Vocabulary
Avoid using boring adjectives like good or bad. It’s much more exciting to say ‘amazing’ and
‘disappointing’ or ‘terrific’ and ‘terrible’.

Here’s some more useful vocabulary to get you started:

superficial / deceptive / fascinating / unbelievable / rich / lonely / kind / reserved/ to

be set in / to be written by / prosperity / characters / jazz age / protagonist /
atmosphere / author / chapter / ending / fictional towns / prohibition / novel / on the
outskirts / sad story.

Your next step is to think of some linking phrases​. These are going to help tie together
your thoughts and bring your review to life!

Overall if you like…

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I was pleasantly surprised by…

In fact…

What I disliked the most was…

The book contains…

As well as…

This well-written book…

Unbelievably…

Write it

Once you have a solid structure , writing your review should be easy!

First start with an interesting title.

E.g. The Unexpected Anti-Hero. It relates to both the book that’s being reviewed and the
question. It’s also short and snappy.

Next write an engaging introduction.​ Maybe start with a rhetorical question, for example:

Are you a fan of the Jazz Age? Then this is the book for you!

Or a general statement about the book that will hook the reader:

The Great Gatsby is a classic, with many twists and turns.

You could also give some background information​. ​Here we use the past simple:

The Great Gatsby was written by F.S.Fitzgerald and is set in prosperous Long Island in
1922.

The second paragraph should summarise the plot ​(note – we usually​ describe a story
in present tense​):

Gatsby is a mysterious character, he has big extravagant parties, and we never know if we
can trust him.

The third paragraph is where we introduce the surprising moment ​and reveal what the
main character did and why it was surprising, BUT…. ​avoid to be a spoiler

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The most shocking part is when…

I couldn’t believe it when…

In fact…

It was so surprising when…

In the fourth paragraph, give a recommendation! ​Here the examiner ​wants to hear your
overall opinion​. It can be something simple:

I strongly recommend..

Or something more inventive:

I wouldn’t read the novel again because…

Everyone should read this immediately!

But don’t forget to say why!

Final Tips
● Pick a book you know quite well! Whether it’s Harry Potter or The Hunger Games,
make sure you have lots to say about it!
● Don’t be afraid to give both negative and positive opinions!
● Experiment with using first person and try addressing the reader with ‘you’.
● Read lots of real authentic reviews online, anything from holidays to music concerts,
exhibitions to video games!
● Remember to put some of your own personality into your review. Have some fun
with it and good luck!

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