Writing: Specific Text Types
B2 Lesson 12: How to Write an Engaging Movie or Book Review
Listen to key phrases and examples.
Before You Start: Key Concepts 🧠
What is a Review?
A review is not just a summary. A summary describes what happens. A review judges if it is good or bad, and *why*.
Boring vs. Engaging Review
A B1 review describes. A B2 review analyzes and persuades.
BORING (B1 Level) 😴
"I watched the new 'Spider-Man' movie. It was good. The story is about Peter Parker. He fights a bad guy. I think the action was good and the ending was happy. I liked it."
ENGAGING (B2 Level) ✨
"From its stunning opening scene, the new 'Spider-Man' movie is a non-stop thrill ride. The plot follows Peter Parker as he struggles to balance his two lives. What really stood out was the lead actor's emotional performance. However, the villain's motivation felt a bit weak. Overall, I would highly recommend this to any action fan."
The 4 Components of a Great Review
Your review should follow a clear structure. Use this as your guide.
Grab the reader's attention. Give basic info (title, author/director) and your overall opinion (is it good or bad?).
- "This is a film that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema."
- "I just finished [Book Title], and I'm still speechless."
Briefly describe the main plot or topic. Do not give away the ending!
- "The story is set in..."
- "It follows the journey of..."
- "The book explores the idea of..."
This is the most important part. Explain *why* it was good or bad. Be specific.
- "What really stood out was the cinematography."
- "The character development felt realistic."
- "However, the plot was a bit predictable."
- "My only criticism is that..."
Give your final verdict and tell people who would like it. A star rating is common here.
- "Overall, I would highly recommend this film."
- "Fans of science fiction will love this book."
- "If you are looking for a light-hearted comedy, give this one a miss."
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Identify the Review Component
Read the sentences and choose what part of a review they belong to. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. "The film's biggest weakness is its ending, which feels rushed and unearned."
2. "The book follows a young detective who must solve a mystery in 1920s London."
3. "In the end, the hero dies, and the villain wins."
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
-
Plot
The main events of the story.
-
Character Development
How a character changes or grows during the story.
-
Cinematography
The art of how the movie is filmed (the camera work, lighting, etc.).
-
Pacing
The speed of the story (e.g.,
fast-paced,slow-paced). -
Predictable
Easy to guess what will happen next (usually a bad thing).
-
Thought-provoking
Making you think deeply about a topic (a good thing).
Your Writing Mission ⭐
Write Your First B2 Review
Your mission is to write a 100-150 word review of a movie or book you have seen or read recently.
You MUST include:
- Component 1 (Hook): A strong opening sentence.
- Component 2 (Summary): 1-2 sentences explaining the plot *without spoilers*.
- Component 3 (Analysis): 1-2 sentences about what was good (pros) and/or bad (cons).
- Component 4 (Recommendation): A final recommendation and/or a star rating.
Try to use at least two words from the Key Vocabulary list!