A review presents a book or film, summarises its content briefly, and shares your opinion. It is a persuasive piece — you want the reader to read or watch it (or skip it).
Title, author/director, genre, year, country. "Harry Potter, written by J.K. Rowling, is a fantasy novel."
Brief plot summary in 2-3 sentences. Use the present simple. Don't spoil the ending!
Your opinion: what you liked, what you didn't. Recommendation to the reader. Justify with reasons.
"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" is the first novel of the famous Harry Potter series, written by the British author J.K. Rowling and published in 1997. The book belongs to the fantasy genre and is aimed at young readers but loved by all ages.
The story tells how Harry, a young orphan boy, discovers he is a wizard on his eleventh birthday. He is invited to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets his best friends Ron and Hermione. Together they discover a mysterious stone hidden inside the school, and Harry must face a dark force from his past.
I really enjoyed this book because the magical world is rich and imaginative, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of suspense. The book also delivers powerful messages about friendship, courage, and good versus evil. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who loves adventure and fantasy. It is a true masterpiece of modern literature.
novel, short story, autobiography, biography, fiction, non-fiction
author, writer, narrator, character, plot, chapter
movie, film, documentary, drama, thriller, romance
director, actor, actress, cast, scene, soundtrack, special effects
Write a review (about 120-150 words) of a book or a film you have read/watched recently. Include:
"12 Years a Slave" is a historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen and released in 2013. It is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery in the American South. The film follows his struggle to survive and to regain his freedom over twelve long years.
I found this film extremely powerful because it shows the brutal reality of slavery without filter. The performances of Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o are unforgettable, and the cinematography is breathtaking. The film won three Oscars, including Best Picture in 2014.
I would highly recommend "12 Years a Slave" to anyone interested in history, human rights, or simply great cinema. It is not an easy film to watch, but it is a deeply moving experience that everyone should have at least once.
Identification → Summary → Evaluation. Each takes one short paragraph.
A good review summarises just enough to interest the reader. Don't reveal the ending.
Don't just say "it was good". Explain why: the acting, the plot, the message, the characters …
Review questions are popular in National Exams. Memorise 5 positive phrases and 3 negative phrases. Pick something you genuinely watched/read — your enthusiasm will show in the writing.