Writing reviews for beginning journalism students.

1. Why write reviews?

2. This is why.

3. 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.

4. Just like you need guidance too

5. So, what do I write about?
Choose a topic you’re interested in
AND
knowledgeable in.
If you fake it, your readers will know.

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

7. Writing a review
• Don’t rant! Organize your structure
List key points
Build up to your main point logically
– Example of a movie review
• Lede
• Storyline
• What’s good
• What’s bad
• Summary

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

9. 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.

10. Example:
• Which is better?
1. “Britney Spears’ new tour sucked.”
1. “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.”

11. 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.

12. 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.