Writing Review TextBy Tri Utami

Building Knowledge of the Field

• What are your favorite book and movie?• Why are you interested to read the book or to

watch the movie?• If you want to know a book

is good or not before you decide to buy, it is better for you to read the review of that book first.

Activity 1Look at the following pictures.

Have you ever watched those movies? They are very successful movies, aren’t they?

Discus in pairs the following questions! Write your answer in a piece of paper!

1. Which movie that you like the most? Why?2. What do you think about the strengths of the movie?3. Is there any weakness? Mention!4. For whom is that movie? (adults, teenagers, children, or all

ages)5. What is the movie about?6. What is your opinion about the movie?

Activity 2

Here is the example of review text. Read carefully then answers the following questions!

A review of Movie 20122012 is Roland Emmerich’s film which uses the

Mayan calendar and other end-of-days prophecies for their doomsday scenario. It imagines the world coming to an end in 2012.

2012 film brings off a series of wonders. The movie hits its peak early on. It starts when Cusack drives a limo through the streets of Los Angeles as freeways and skyscrapers crumble all around him from the shock of a 10.5 earthquake. The preposterous flying sequence is equally thrilling. The climax occurs aboard the giant ark, when an equipment malfunction almost threatens the entire mission.

Unfortunately, the crucial sequence is not filmed or edited with the requisite clarity. In 2012 film, Emmerich leaves us befuddled as to exactly what is happening to whom. However, Emmerich’ 2012 deserves credit for offbeat casting. Cusack supplies his trademark hangdog charm. McCarthy has perhaps his best role ever as Peet’s cocky. Danny Glover lends dignity to the role of the tormented president. Chiwetel Ejiofor, as the chief scientist, brings a moving sense of anguish to a stock role. Platt has fun playing the villain of the piece, and Woody Harrelson also chews the scenery as a bug-eyed radio prophet trying to warn his listeners about Armageddon.

All in one, 2012 s cinematography, ′production design and visual effects are awards-worthy. Music also propels the movie. It presents American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert, who provides a rousing anthem over the end credits.

Questions:1. What is 2012 movie about?2. What is the climax of the movie?3. What is the strength of the movie?4. What is the weakness of the movie?5. What is the reviewer’s view about the

movie?

Vocabulary ReviewFind the meaning of the words bellow.

Doomsday Peak CrumbleEarthquake Preposterous ThrillingGiant Ark Dignity ProphetVillain Awards-worthy

Do you know?

is review text?

Activity 3Study the theories of Review text bellow!

A Review is a text that gives a person’s review to certain works (a work, film, play,

songs, and so on) by providing a description of the

work and a judgment.

Based on the theory, identify the generic structure and the language features used in the review!

Language Features • Words that express judgment and the writer’s attitude•The use of present tense•Descriptive words

Generic StructuresA paragraph introducing

the work being judgedA description of the

workA judgment of the work

Activity 4You will make a review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix together with

the whole class.

Steps

• Divide your class into six groups. Your teacher will decide the topic that will be discussed in your group.

• Here are the jobs:

Two groups discuss the short synopsis of the movie.Two groups discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of the movie.Two groups discuss the personal opinions about the movie.

Next steps

• After you have finished discussing, your teacher will start to type the first paragraph of the review text and view on the LCD.

• Then, you will complete the review. • Each group will give some sentences to

continue your teacher’s sentences based on the topic that has been discussed.

Activity 5

Make a review text of your own. Decide the movie by yourself. After that upload

into your blog.

Here is the scaffold to help you arrange the review text.

1. A paragraph introducing the movie being judged• Details about the movie:• The title of the movie• The director and producer• The casts and characters

2. A description of the movie• Plot:• What happens in the story Setting:• When the story is set?• Where it is set?

3. A judgment of the movie• Personal response• What was enjoyable• What parts was not liked• The plot keeping your interest• Movie suitable certain ages• Recommendation of the movie