Writing a review is one of the most practical skills you can develop when learning English. It combines personal opinion, descriptive language, and structured argumentation in a single piece of writing. This activity puts together everything you have practiced throughout the course to produce a more complete and coherent text.
What is a review and why should you write one?
A review is a text where you share your personal opinion about something — a book, a movie, a TV show, or even a restaurant [0:18]. The key difference between a review and a simple opinion is that a review requires supporting arguments. You cannot just say "I liked it"; you need to explain why you liked it or why you didn't.
Another important element is context. Your reader may not know the movie or show you are reviewing, so you should provide enough background information to help them understand your perspective [0:35].
What topics should a movie or TV show review include?
When writing a review about a movie or TV show, there are specific topics you need to cover [0:48]:
- Genre: identify whether it is a drama, a thriller, a comedy, or any other category.
- Characters: mention which one is your favorite and describe their personality.
- Plot: explain what the story is about, but be careful not to give spoilers.
- Positive and negative aspects: a good review is balanced — you do not need to like everything about it [1:19].
- Rating: give your movie or TV show a score — how many stars does it deserve? [1:27]
Each of these topics helps you organize your ideas and build a text that feels complete and well-structured.
How can you describe characters effectively?
When you talk about characters, focus on their personality traits. Use adjectives you have learned throughout the course: brave, funny, mysterious, selfish. Pick your favorite character and explain what makes them stand out. This is a great opportunity to practice descriptive vocabulary in a meaningful way.
How do you discuss the plot without giving spoilers?
This is a common challenge. The trick is to talk about the general situation without revealing key events or the ending. You can mention the setting, the main conflict, and what makes the story interesting — all without telling your reader how things turn out.
Why is it important to include negative aspects?
A review that only says positive things can feel incomplete or not very credible. Mentioning negative aspects shows critical thinking and makes your opinion more trustworthy [1:19]. Maybe the ending was predictable, or a character was not well developed. These observations add depth to your writing.
How can you start building your review?
In the resources section, you will find a worksheet designed to guide you through each topic [1:33]. Fill in your answers for genre, characters, plot, positive and negative points, and rating. Then use those answers as the foundation for your complete text. There is also an example showing how to complete the worksheet, so you can see the expected format before you begin [1:42].
The best way to improve your writing is by practicing. Share your review in the comments and get feedback — your opinion about a favorite movie or series is the perfect starting point.
