Practice, write & improve, b2 first (fce) review: writing guide.
We will use the example FCE review topic below:
You see this announcement in your college English-language magazine.
Book reviews wanted Have you read a book in which the main character behaved in a surprising way?
Write us a review of the book, explaining what the main character did and why it was surprising. Tell us whether or not you would recommend this book to other people.
The best reviews will be published in the magazine.
Write your review (140-190 words)
The first thing you need to do is to underline a description part -in other words, just find what needs to be described.
Secondly, find a discussion part – in other words, try to find the specific points you need to comment on in your text.
Finally, find the target reader so you know exactly who you are writing for and who is going to read your review.
You see this announcement in your college English-language magazine. (our readers)
Book reviews wanted Have you read a book in which the main character behaved in a surprising way? (to describe)
Write us a review of the book, explaining what the main character did and why it was surprising. ( to comment)
Now we have all three elements we need to write a great review:
You need to describe: Book in which the main character behaved in a surprising way
You need to answer/discuss:
Who is the target reader: college English-language magazine.
We know now that the target readers are students, teachers and probably parents so the writing style should be neutral or informal.
We don’t need to be too formal because after all some of the readers are students, but we also don’t want to be too informal as some of the readers are teachers and parents.
Now we can start building our structure and writing a review.
The review should start with the title, and there are few simple ways to write it:
Title (book): Dark Souls by Stephen King (by) Title (restaurant): Taco Bell in London – a review (a review)
We will use this title in our guide : TITLE : Time Machine by Adam Smith
Tip : Nothing prevents you from writing something more unique but it has to point to what you are going to review.
The other function of your introduction is to engage the reader . You can do it by asking a question.
Make your introduction at least 2 sentences long.
INTRODUCTION: What would you do if you could travel back in time? Most people would probably meet their great-great-grandparents or watch how the amazing pyramids in Giza were built, but Tom Lee, the main character of the novel Time Machine by Adam Smith finds himself in a completely unexpected situation and he has to make a very difficult decision that will change history as we know it.
– question
– details about the book and main character
The body paragraphs are the main parts of your review so they should be the longest and carry most of the information. Also, here you describe the points you’ve found in (Step 1)
You can use idioms , and phrasal verbs – neutral/informal language is appropriate for your target reader – students and teachers.
See the example below, in which we dedicated one paragraph to one point.
[Who is the main character and what did he do? – describe]
Tom, a teacher in a little town in Rotherham, finds a mysterious time portal in the back of a ragged diner which takes him back to the year 1935. He soon realises that every time he goes through the portal he gets to the exact same point in the past. Eventually, he makes the unexpected decision to stop Michael James Newton from brutally killing President John F. Kennedy on 22.11.1963.
[Why it was surprising? – comment]
It seems to me that Tom could choose many other and more personal things to do, but he decides to try and change history to a degree that he cannot predict . In my opinion , that came definitely unexpected an d if I were in his position I probably wouldn’t even consider a task this far-reaching.
– own opinion
– descriptive/interesting vocabulary
– relevant details about the main character and book
TIP: What if you don’t read books? Don’t waste your time looking for a to match your review. it doesn’t have to be real! And yes that may sound difficult: you have to invent a book and then write a review about your invented book! So instead take a you like, take a you like and transform them into books. That’s simple! |
Finally, we need to make a recommendation because after all, that’s the only reason why anyone would read a review they want to know what the reviewer thinks about the book , film or restaurant .
A good final paragraph of a review does exactly two things
CONCLUSION: I definitely recommend “Time Machine” to everyone who has already read some of Adam Smith’s novels as well as to those who like stories with twists and turns around every corner plus you get some modern history on top of that. For me, it was absolutely worth reading and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Full review.
Time Machine by Adam Smith
What would you do if you could travel back in time? Most people would probably meet their great-great-grandparents or watch how the amazing pyramids in Giza were built, but Tom Lee, the main character of the novel Time Machine by Adam Smith finds himself in a completely unexpected situation and he has to make a very difficult decision that will change history as we know it.
Tom, a teacher in a little town in Rotherham, finds a mysterious time portal in the back of a ragged diner which takes him back to the year 1935. He soon realises that every time he goes through the portal he gets to the exact same point in the past. Eventually, he makes the unexpected decision to stop Michael James Newton from brutally killing President John F. Kennedy on 22.11.1963.
It seems to me that Tom could choose many other and more personal things to do, but he decides to try and change history to a degree that he cannot predict. In my opinion, that came definitely unexpected and if I were in his position I probably wouldn’t even consider a task this far-reaching.
I definitely recommend “Time Machine” to everyone who has already read some of Adam Smith’s novels as well as to those who like stories with twists and turns around every corner plus you get some modern history on top of that. For me, it was absolutely worth reading and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
B2 first (fce) review: model answers, model answer 1.
You have seen this notice in your school library:
REVIEWS NEEDED We want to buy some new books for the library. Have you read a good book in English recently? Write us a review of a book you enjoyed, explaining why you liked it and why you think it would be a good choice for the school library.
We will use your reviews to help us decide which books to buy
THE THIEVES OF OSTIA
„The thieves of Ostia‟ by Caroline Lawrence is the first in a series of books entitled„The Roman Mysteries‟ and I think it‟s an absolute must for the school library.
The book is set in the Roman port of Ostia nearly two thousand years ago. It tells the story of Flavia and her three friends, and their attempts to discover who has been killing the dogs of Ostia and why. It‟s full of mystery and excitement, and the plot has many twists and turns, which make you want to keep reading.
The book is aimed at ten – to twelve – year – old native English speakers, but it is very popular with older children and would be ideal for teenagers studying English. What‟s more, it gives a fascinating insight into life in Roman times, so readers learn about history as well as improve their language skills.
After finishing „The Thieves of Ostia‟, students will want to borrow further books from the series. By buying it, then, the library would be doing a lot to encourage students to read more in English
You have found the following advertisement online:
RESTAURANT REVIEWS WANTED!
Have you been to a great restaurant lately? If so, send us an honest review of the restaurant explaining what you liked and disliked of the place as well as its location, staff and how it looks on the inside.
We will publish the first 20 decent reviews we get!
Foster’s Hollywood
Being a huge fan of traditional American fast food and restaurant styles, it’s no wonder that my favourite restaurant in Granada is Foster’s Hollywood.
Located smack in the middle of the city, this fast-food chain serves a wide variety of mouthwatering, American dishes at a reasonable price. These range from typical Tex-Mex nachos or French fries to more elaborate meals like traditional, homemade Bourbon steak. And if you’re hungry, it’s the perfect place to go, as their servings are absolutely huge!
Another cool thing about this place is its magnificent decor. If you’re a film buff, you will quickly fall in love with this place, since all the walls are covered in famous movie posters! Apart from that, it’s got a spacious dining hall, super friendly staff and an outdoor terrace which is absolutely fantastic on summer nights!
The only negative thing I can say is that it is right next to a gym, which sometimes makes me feel guilty for eating so much!
Nevertheless, Foster’s Hollywood offers delicious meals in an unbeatable atmosphere, so you should definitely give it a try. I promise you won’t regret it!
Example topic 1.
Your teacher has asked you to write a review for a book you have read recently. The best reviews will go in the school magazine. Review the book giving your opinion and say whether or not you would recommend it.
Your teacher has asked you to write a review for a film you have seen recently on DVD or at the cinema.The best reviews will go in the school magazine. Review the book giving your opinion and saying whether ornot you would recommend it.
At school, you are building a tourist website in English. Your teacher has asked you to write a review of arestaurant you have eaten at in your town. Review the restaurant giving your opinion and saying whetheror not you would recommend it.
After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:
Communicative Achievement
Organisation
B2 first (fce) review: tips.
The grammar and vocabulary that you need unfortunately depend heavily on the type of question you get.
One thing you can do though is to make sure your grammar and vocabulary are related to the tasks . So for example, if you are writing a review about a film make sure your vocabulary is related to films.
So include words like “s cripts, director, cast, plot, setting, special effects, and stunts”
If you want to mention who directed the film or who played the part of a certain character then make sure you use the passive “The film was directed by Y”. “The the protagonist was played by X”.
If you are talking about an experience and you need to describe the experience then make sure you use narrative tenses because obviously this experience happened in the past.
This means you need to use the past simple, the past continuous and the past perfect. For example “I checked into the hotel at 10 am. I had been travelling all night and was feeling exhausted. The hotel staff were very welcoming and made me feel at home”.
We will finish it with some useful vocabulary mostly used to organize information. Although it is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-organized text.
This show stars… The play is directed by… The film is about… It‟s set in………. The story is based on (a book…) It‟s about….. There are many memorable characters including …. The main theme of the film is…..
On the plus side,… On the down side,… On the one hand,… On the other hand,…
Overall, I‟d recommend… All in all, the film was… I wouldn‟t hesitate to recommend… I wouldn‟t encourage anyone to … I would recommend this film to anyone. Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it for…. It‟s one of the best (shows) I’ve ever seen. Although I am not normally keen on (musicals),I am glad that I decided to go. The (film) lifts you out of your everyday life
Who will read the review.
Your review will be read by readers of a magazine.
The review is intended to give information to the reader which will help them decide whether to attend the event themselves.
Use a style similar to an article that is likely to interest the reader.
Give essential information about the story, cast, band members, etc. Say what you like and didn‟t like about the performances. Make a recommendation to the reader about whether or not they should go.
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Are paid book review services worth the price? Below, we’ll discuss paid book review services, their pros and cons, and what to look for when selecting one.
A paid review service is a company that offers book reviews for a fee. When using paid book review services, the hope is that they will create a well-written, impartial review that can push people to buy and boost sales—if it’s a good review. It can be used on social media, your website, or your product page (e.g., Amazon’s A+ Content).
For authors, the crowded book market makes getting a well-written review within your preferred time frame a challenge. Reputable paid book review services can take some of the stress out of waiting for that “perfect” review to show up from early readers. When you pay for the service, you have better control over aligning the timing of your marketing campaign. You’ll also have a higher likelihood of getting a well-written review you can use.
If potential buyers know the review is from a paid service, it can feel inauthentic from the reader’s perspective. It’s similar to popular magazines that run featured articles written by their journalists, but in contrast, also run featured articles that PR companies pay for. One has journalistic integrity, while the paid article can come with questions attached like “Can I trust this?” Harsh, yes, but something to consider, so make sure that any paid service you use has a reputation for being impartial.
If you pay for a review, get one from a reputable provider—one that has a reputation for being impartial and uses vetted reviewers who know how to properly analyze a book and give a professional review.
If the review site publishes their reviews (e.g., Reedsy Discovery), read their reviews and ask:
Public reviews won’t always align with the paid review but they should sound like they’re talking about the same book. If not, there will be a disconnect that readers won’t hesitate to mention.
If you’re having trouble finding people to review your book, or you’re working with a short time frame and don’t have time to wait, then a paid review could be a smart move. Another reason to choose a paid service is if your initial reviews weren’t the quality that you were looking for. If this is your experience, a professional reviewer could give you the result you’re seeking.
Steer clear of pop-up sites that look more like a money trap than a legitimate review site. When it comes to reviews, a company’s reputation adds value, so look for companies that have a strong reputation, not just with readers but within the publishing industry as well.
Words matter. If you use a paid review site, make sure that they can give your book the foundation it deserves.
Book marketing is all about strategy and making your money work for you. Don’t waste your marketing budget on a service that’s not going to help you level up as an author. If paid book reviews are part of your marketing strategy, they should push people to buy your books.
Look for paid review services that will get your book in front of your ideal reader.
This might take some research, but it’s a good investment of time.
If the reviews you find are basic, don’t persuade or dissuade the reader, and feel generic, trust your instinct.
You want a review that’s going to move the needle in your favor. A positive review is great, but if it doesn’t work for you, it’s a waste of money.
Strong reviews are great for social proof. If you can get a good one from a reputable site, it could help push your book sales.
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COMMENTS
It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking. Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry's Freefall, a crime novel: In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it's a more subtle process, and that's OK too.
4 tips for writing a book review. 1. Avoid repetition. A book review is its own piece of writing. By that, we mean your book review shouldn't just repeat the book's plot. It should add a new perspective about the book. 2. Be concise. Don't ramble in your book review.
How to Write a Book Review: Consider a Book's Promise. A book makes a promise with its cover, blurb, and first pages. It begins to set expectations the minute a reader views the thumbnail or cover. Those things indicate the genre, tone, and likely the major themes. If a book cover includes a lip-locked couple in flowing linen on a beach, and ...
Step 1: Planning Your Book Review - The Art of Getting Started. You've decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let's take a step back and plan your approach.
The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to: Engage critically with a text. Critically evaluate a text. Respond personally to a range of different writing genres.
How to write a book review. Note down the key points- This is an important step before writing a book review. Jot down your analysis about the characters, themes, plot, and your personal view. Also, note down the book title, author's name, and any relevant information about the book. Start with a strong introduction- Mention the author's ...
Be sure to mention the authors of the title and what experience or expertise they bring to the title. Check Stefan Kløvning's review of Creativity Cycling for an example of a summary that establishes the framework of the book within the context of its field. Step 2. Present your evaluation.
Part 3: How the author/book succeeded. Be specific & use examples. If you said that it has great characters, tell me who they are and what's great about them. Part 4: What you did not like about the novel (if applicable). If not applicable, use this paragraph to indicate another thing that the author/book did well.
As you write the review, keep it vague. For example, explain that there is a major plot twist but don't go into the specifics. 7. Be transparent. Always share if you received an incentive to review the book, got an advance copy, or have any connection to the author. Your readers will appreciate your honesty.
1. Begin with a brief summary of the book. This is probably the best way to introduce any review because it gives context. But make sure to not go into too much detail. Keep it short and sweet since an official summary can be found through a quick google search! 2. Pick out the most important aspects of the book.
In 10 Steps to a Great Book Review. Read the Entire Book. Take Notes of Said Book. Give an Idea of the Book Outline. Don't Forget the Author. Evaluate the Book Thoroughly. Don't Beat Around the Bush. Don't Be Afraid of Adverse Feedback. Support Your Views.
Learn how to write a book review with helpful formats and examples, and accurately portray the author's intent and target audience.
8. Write a conclusion. The conclusion to your book review is the last thing your audience will read so you want to make sure it leaves them with a lasting impression. A reader has most likely come to your review to decide whether they will or won't read the book, so if you want them to read the book, make it clear.
This handout will help you write a book review, a report or essay that offers a critical perspective on a text. It offers a process and suggests some strategies for writing book reviews. ... majority of ale drunk in England. Historically, ale and beer (not milk, wine, or water) were important elements of the English diet. Ale brewing was low ...
Blog - Posted on Thursday, Nov 11 The Only Book Review Templates You'll Ever Need Whether you're trying to become a book reviewer, writing a book report for school, or analyzing a book, it's nice to follow a book review template to make sure that your thoughts are clearly presented.. A quality template provides guidance to keep your mind sharp and your thoughts organized so that you can ...
Provide brief descriptions of the setting, the point of view (who tells the story), the main character (s) and other major characters. If there is a distinct mood or tone, mention that as well, for example gloom and doom, joyful, calm, tense, mysterious, etc. Give a short, objective plot summary. Provide the major events and the book's climax ...
5. Wrap up the review. Write a concluding paragraph or several sentences that sum up your critical analysis of the book. If your critical position has been well argued, the conclusion should follow naturally. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the book, and discuss whether you would recommend the book to others.
How to Write a Book Review: 3 Main Elements of a Book Review. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Feb 23, 2022 • 2 min read. A book review provides critique and analysis of a book for potential readers. Learn how to write a book review, so you can effectively share your opinion about a text.
Types of reviews and how to write them How to write a book review. When writing a book review, include specific details about the plot, characters, and writing style. Mention what you liked or disliked and why. Your insights can have a significant impact on other readers. Book review example sentences:
1. Bring Out Your Personality. First things first, book reviews are incredibly personal. Unlike literary essays, book reviews are all about what you feel about the book and how it touched you. It's a highly opinionated form of writing. Hence, you must bring out your personality while writing a book review.
Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms. This handout will focus on book reviews. Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary.
Tips for Writing a Book Review. Keeping the Review Short and Crisp: A review is written to make the book understandable to the readers. Therefore, the length of the review is a matter of concern. Writing lengthy reviews can make it sound confusing to the audience. Proofreading and Editing: Make certain that your spelling and punctuation are ...
Step 2: Title The review should start with the title, and there are few simple ways to write it: imagine you're reviewing a book you can write: [Title] by [Author]; if you were reviewing a restaurant you could write: [name of the restaurant] - a review; Title (book): Dark Souls by Stephen King (by) Title (restaurant): Taco Bell in London - a review (a review)
A paid review service is a company that offers book reviews for a fee. When using paid book review services, the hope is that they will create a well-written, impartial review that can push people to buy and boost sales—if it's a good review. It can be used on social media, your website, or your product page (e.g., Amazon's A+ Content).
Google "Prem Rawat", formally known as the Guru Maharaji Ji, and you'll find photos of a smiley, round-faced man in his 60s. He's an "author and orator" who promotes "personal peace ...
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