Writing Reviews

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Why write reviews?

Transcript of Writing Reviews

Page 1: Writing Reviews

Why write reviews?

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This is why.

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Readers need your expert guidance to find the best performances and products.

They need you to tell them what’s worth their time and money.

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Just like you need guidance too

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So, what do I write about?

Choose a topic you’re interested inAND

knowledgeable in.

If you fake it, your readers will know.

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Reporting a review

• Take lots of notes.– Notice the scene– Write down details– Ask others’ opinions– Do your research

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Writing a review

• Don’t rant! Organize your structureList key pointsBuild up to your main point logically

– Example of a movie review • Lede• Storyline• What’s good• What’s bad• Summary

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• Balance fact and opinion– Don’t spend too much time retelling the plot– Don’t spend too much time on your opinion

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Your opinion

• Know your biases and compensate accordingly.• Remember, just because you can give your

opinion does NOT mean you can throw out whatever insults you want.

• Avoid vague adjectives like boring, awful, fantastic. Instead, tell why it was boring, awful or fantastic.

Back up your opinions with descriptive details.

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Example:

• Which is better?

1. “Britney Spears’ new tour sucked.”

2. “Britney Spears’ new tour is an unfocused bore of false sexuality, horrible songs, trite choreography, unfocused themes and less ambition than a house cat that sits around licking itself all day.”

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Dont’s

• Don’t reveal surprise plot twists or endings• Don’t add unnecessary phrases like, “In my

opinion …”• Don’t be cruel. Inform readers, but don’t

insult their tastes.• Don’t make personal attacks; Criticize the

performance, not the performer’s personal life.

• Don’t expect everyone to agree with you.

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Do

Remember to answer the question,

Is this worth your time and money?

This PowerPoint presentation can be reproduced as long as credit is given to Karen McIntyre.