How to Write a Review (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
How to Write a Review
Writing a review is the least common option on the Component 2, Section B exam, but you should still be prepared for it to come up.
The following guide to writing a review in your Eduqas GCSE exam includes:
Key features of a review
Review tips
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 opinion 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:
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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.
Review tips
Once again, you should spend a few minutes planning the key points you are going to make in your review, before spending a maximum of 25 minutes writing. 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
Rеmеmbеr that 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.
You can find a full worked example on our Review Model Answer page.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A review should offer some kind of judgement and informed opinion. Weaker responses tend to be narrative and spend too long on background information or just describing the thing being reviewed, and not enough time on giving justified opinions. You can also include suggestions or advice about how the thing being reviewed could be made better.
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