How to Write a Review (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language)

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:

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.