How-To-Write-A-Review-For-Gcse-edexcel Paper 2

课 Progress

0% Complete

Exam code:1EN0

Writing a review is another type of task given in the Paper 2, Section B exam. A review requires you to give your opinion.

The following guide to writing a review in your Edexcel English Language GCSE exam includes:

Key features of a review
Structure of a review

Key features of a review

A review is a format of writing in which you consider an event, experience, service or something watched or read, describe it and then provide opinions or judgements about it. A critic might write reviews for a living, and we may decide to watch or read something because they persuade us to do so.

A review may have different purposes, but its primary aim is to inform and describe. It may also:

Entertain, in that it provides opinions in a way that the reader enjoys
Analyse, weighing up whether the thing being reviewed is good or bad
Advise, recommending to the reader whether or not they should view, read or experience the subject of the review for themselves

See the below table for what to include in a review:

Review
In a review you should: Use a clear, informative heading: This could be as simple as the name of the thing being reviewed, such as the name of a film or book Include an introduction that summarises what the review is about, including a brief description State your opinions with supporting reasons: Consider if it was effective: did you love it or hate it? Why? You may use sub-headings in order to structure this part of your response Use the bullet points in the task to guide you Address your audience directly throughout: Make it clear to the examiner that you have understood who your intended audience is You can also do this by suggesting whether or not the intended reader would appreciate or like it Be light-hearted and entertaining Use topic sentences to begin each paragraph, and then develop that point appropriately and in detail Ensure that each paragraph makes sense on its own — do not repeat points you have already made Avoid beginning your review with “I’m writing this because…” or “In this review I shall be discussing…” Make sure your review explains how you feel and why, not just what it is about: A good review should clearly express your opinion

Review

In a review you should:

Use a clear, informative heading:
- This could be as simple as the name of the thing being reviewed, such as the name of a film or book
Include an introduction that summarises what the review is about, including a brief description
State your opinions with supporting reasons:
- Consider if it was effective: did you love it or hate it? Why?
- You may use sub-headings in order to structure this part of your response
- Use the bullet points in the task to guide you
Address your audience directly throughout:
- Make it clear to the examiner that you have understood who your intended audience is
- You can also do this by suggesting whether or not the intended reader would appreciate or like it
Be light-hearted and entertaining
Use topic sentences to begin each paragraph, and then develop that point appropriately and in detail
Ensure that each paragraph makes sense on its own — do not repeat points you have already made
Avoid beginning your review with “I’m writing this because…” or “In this review I shall be discussing…”
Make sure your review explains how you feel and why, not just what it is about:
- A good review should clearly express your opinion

Because a review is intended for publication, it is important to use Standard English and to vary your sentence and paragraph lengths to keep your audience engaged.

Structure of a review

Once again, you should spend a few minutes planning the key points you are going to make in your review. It can be helpful to number your ideas to structure your answer in a specific order.

Some key tips for writing a review in the exam include:

Mention the name of the author or director (if a film, TV programme or book) or anything specific, and clearly name the thing being reviewed in the title and first paragraph
Ensure you have conveyed the main theme or idea of the thing you are reviewing in your introduction:
- Your reader should know immediately what your review is about
Consider the wider aspects of what you are reviewing:
- Consider things such as actors, sequels, music or similarities to other things
Include what you like or dislike about it
Try to use a few short “quotes” or examples to illustrate your points:
- These can be made up, but ensure they are credible
Justify your views
Organise your response into clear paragraphs
Finish with a conclusion, suggesting whether or not your intended audience will like the thing you are reviewing

To produce an effective response, you should aim to develop your points carefully in each paragraph, using language features and techniques to highlight ideas and emphasise your points.

So remember, the basic features of a review that the examiner would expect to see are:

Correct formatting:
- A heading
- Subheadings can also be helpful to structure your response
An introduction:
- This needs to be clear and informative
- It should introduce what you are reviewing, and include relevant names and locations
A well structured argument:
- Paragraphs begin with topic sentences and are effectively linked
- Include your opinions throughout, but evidence these opinions with made-up quotes, or details from what is being reviewed
A direct and engaging conclusion:
- Your conclusion should address your audience and give a summative judgement

English Language GCSE EDEXCEL

How-To-Write-A-Review-For-Gcse-edexcel Paper 2

Key features of a review

Structure of a review

Responses