WRITING A REVIEW IN ENGLISH

Writing is important in whatever language.

Let’s tackle some key aspects about writing a review in English. Why? As an ESL student you should know that this type of writing is one of the most common to appear on the Cambridge certifications, that’s why it’s paramount to learn and practice writing it. 

What is a review? 

A review is a type of writing commonly published on English-language magazines, newspapers or websites. The purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a book, a film, a holiday, a music record, a website, etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like. 

Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader. 

Structure 

Every piece of writing needs a clear and organized structure. A review normally follows this one: 

Title

Introduction

Description

Discussion

Recommendation

Every section is comprised of at least one paragraph which includes a topic sentence and supporting details to make your main idea as clear as possible. 

The title is the easiest to write, don’t overthink it or add too much words to it, romanticizing the title can be confusing. The best advice is to use the name or title of the product your are reviewing and simply adding “a review” or “(a review)”: 

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus - a review. 

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus  (a review). 

A catchy phrase can help engage your audience:

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus: an empowering and instructional experience. 

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus: a book every women should read.

The rest of the sections of the review can be summarized like this:

Title	Use the title of the product
Introduction	Create interest so the reader wants to find our what you have to say. Ask a question!
Description	Give more information by answering the question. Describe the characters, and the plot, but be careful… no spoilers allowed!
Discussion	Give your opinion A.K.A. let the audience hear YOUR VOICE.
Recommendation	Give a balanced positive/negative recommendation.

The best way to start practicing your writing is by learning prompts or useful phrases that help you begin the sentence and then, simply elaborate a bit more using your own ideas.

Check this useful expressions to write each part of the review. 

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO WRITE A REVIEW IN ENGLISH:

Introduction

• "This [book/movie/product/place] is one of the most [adjective] experiences I have had because…"

• "If you're looking for [something specific, e.g., an engaging novel, a thrilling movie], then [title] might be just what you need.”

• "Recently, I had the chance to [watch/read/use/visit] [title], and here’s what I thought about it.”

• "Does [title] live up to the hype? Here’s my honest review.”

• "From the moment I [started reading/watched the first scene/tested it out], I knew this was going to be [an interesting/disappointing] experience."

Description

• "[Title] tells the story of [main plot or purpose], featuring [main characters/features].”

• "Set in [location/time period], the [book/film/game] follows [brief summary of the main events].”

• "The [product/service] comes with [list of features], making it ideal for [target audience].”

• "This [film/book/show] is known for its [specific elements, e.g., breathtaking visuals, unique storyline, realistic characters].”

• "One of the standout features of [title] is [aspect, e.g., the way it builds suspense, the ease of use, the engaging writing style]."

Discussion 

• "One thing I really liked/disliked about [title] was [specific element], because…"

• "Compared to similar [books/movies/products], this one stands out due to [reason].”

• "While some aspects of [title] were impressive, others fell short, such as [negative point].”

• "The [acting/writing/performance/features] were particularly strong/weak because…"

• "A major strength/weakness of [title] is [aspect], which affects the overall experience by…"

Recommendation 

• "I would highly recommend [title] to anyone who enjoys [genre/type of product], especially if…"

• "If you're a fan of [similar works], then this is definitely worth checking out.”

• "While [title] has its flaws, it’s still a great choice for those who [reason].”

• "On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this [score] because…"

• "Overall, [title] is [adjective], and whether or not you should try it depends on [factors]."

Ready to write your own review in English? Start practicing today! Share your thoughts on a movie, book, or product in the comments, or try using our step-by-step guide to craft your first review. Keep improving your writing skills with more tips—subscribe to our blog for weekly updates!"