by Kate Flaxx

Created on: November 06, 2010   Last Updated: November 07, 2010

When reading a review, its possible to gain the impression of a positive attitude from the reviewer, the reader can get the sense that a reviewer enjoyed a movie, or found a certain book pleasant and satisfying to read or found a product met and exceeded their expectations. 

But while the overall review can give a positive impression, there will also be negatives pointed out for the benefit of the reader. In the same manner, an overall negative review will still contain positives.

An effective review prompts an interested reader to try a product, read a book or watch a movie.  They read the review and then from that information, they determine if the reviewed item will fulfil their own needs or wants or might be something they want to use, see or read.

Try referring to the following guidelines when writing a movie, book or product review;

- Use the product, read the book, watch the movie

It’s impossible to write an effective review if you don't have a clear idea of what a movie or book is about. 

The same is writing a review without using the product. Spend a little time getting to know the product you’re using; its appearance, its smell, its size or shape. 

What do you think about the product before you use it? What do you think about a book before you read it? What is your impression of a movie before you see it?

- Introduce what you’re reviewing

The first part of a review should be an introduction to the product.  Who wrote the book?  When was the book written?  When was the book released?  Who made the movie?  Who stars in the movie?  When was the movie made?  Who made the product?  When was the product released….ok, you get the idea.

- Explain the movie or book

A good review has an explanation of what the movie or book is about.   The explanation should be a reasonable length but not long enough to tell the whole story of the movie or book.  This is a basic recollection of the events, not too specific.

For example, you may have watched a movie about a man who is searching for his long lost son, you wouldn't write something like 'Well there’s this guy called Bob Smith and he goes to this house because he heard his son was there, but  there’s a creepy old lady there who tries to kills him. She locks him in a cupboard and he only just escapes at the end but she chases him with an axe……’ 

When writing a review, you could

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