Advanced 2 Write a Review of Our Guest Speaker's Talk

On Monday the 31st of October, you are invited to attend a talk on 'Vampires' by our guest speaker, Melena Illijin, at 8pm. Imagine you are a Reporter writing a review of this Halloween cultural event and your objective is to leave an impression with the reader on what you have experienced. Your review shall be between 220 and 250 words.

**Deadline** for handing in the review is Monday the 7th of November.

First please check the following websites.

1. Advice and guidelines on writing a review are to be found here.

2. Sample reviews are to be found here and here.

3. Listen to this movie review here.

4. View this linking words video here.

**Please check and study the following in your Student's book**

1. P.48 read the review and analyse the text.

2. P. 49 Do the exercises on participle clauses and adverbs and use both types
of grammar structures in your review.

** Home-work** Both of the above exercises from the Student's book should be done and completed for Wednesday the 2nd of November when we will discuss the answers.


Layout of Your Review

1. Title

Write an amusing/entertaining and eye-catching title
Play with words, for example, use a well-known song title and change it around e.g. song title = 'All Through the Night' Review Title = Vampires: All Through the Night) : ) Here is a list of song titles, maybe some here are well-known and can be used, have a look here.

2. 1st paragraph Introduction

Grab the reader's attention by, for example, asking a rhetorical question. Make what you are about to say sound interesting and captivating. Introduce the event you are reviewing and give some background (What type of performance is it, who is the performer and where is it taking place and why? What type of audience is attending?). Give basic first impressions and a general overview.

3. 2nd paragraph Give a summary of what happened. (In present tense)

Imagine you are relating the event to a friend, how did the event begin and how did it progress, what was dealt with?. What adjectives, adverbs would you use to describe it? Are there any anecdotes you can give regarding the performance?

4. 3rd Paragraph Give your personal reaction to the event.

What stood out for you? Would you attend another event of this type, why/why not? Did you enjoy the event, why/why not? List any positive/negative things related to this event for you. To what degree was it what you expected? What is your overall reaction to the performance, your seat location, the venue, the content of the performance. Name something that you learned from the event that you didn't know before. What was your favourite part and why?

5. 4th Paragraph Write a conclusion with your thoughts on recommending similar events.

Discuss what you think was a general audience reaction to the event. Rate the event on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best, explaining a little your reasoning.


Strategies to Use in the Review

Be personal. Use humour.
Be informal (can use colloquial language e.g. phrasal verbs etc)
Use adjectives, adverbs (e.g. entertaining...check in the dictionary for similar meaning adjectives and opposite meaning adjectives , think of adverbs e.g. totally absorbing...what others can you think of?)
Use rhetorical questions to create tension or irony.
Use a relaxed, friendly chatty style.
Use a variety of expressions for giving your opinion
Use linking words
Use a variety of grammar structures, especially the passive voice, participle clauses, adjectives and adverbs.
Do NOT repeat ideas nor vocabulary