What is the purpose of the introduction in a review?

The introduction identifies the subject and communicates your overall stance. This orients the reader and frames the evaluation that follows.

What does it mean to evaluate a feature?

To evaluate means to judge how effective a feature is and explain why. This process shows critical thinking and is central to review writing.

What role do examples play in a review?

Examples illustrate the point you are making and justify your opinion. They help readers see the basis of your judgement and trust your evaluation.

What is the key difference between a summary and a review?

A summary describes what happens, while a review evaluates how well it was done. This matters because GCSE tasks reward critical judgement, not retelling.

How does audience affect the tone of a review?

Different audiences expect different levels of formality and background explanation. Matching tone to readers shows awareness and makes the review more persuasive.

How does description differ from evaluation in a review?

Description outlines features while evaluation judges their effectiveness. Evaluation is essential because it demonstrates reasoning and supports the review's purpose.

What is a common mistake when discussing plot in a review?

Students often recount too much of the story without analysing its quality. This reduces the evaluative depth required for high GCSE marks.

Why is giving unsubstantiated opinions a problem?

Assertions without reasons lack credibility and weaken the argument. Adding brief examples or explanations makes the opinion persuasive.

Why is ignoring the task’s bullet points risky?

The bullet points indicate required areas of focus, and failing to address them reduces relevance. Staying aligned with the task ensures your review meets assessment criteria.

Why should a review include both strengths and weaknesses?

Balanced evaluation shows fairness and enhances credibility. It also demonstrates an ability to consider multiple perspectives before forming a judgement.

How to Write a Review for GCSE | AQA GCSE English Language

1. Definition and Core Concepts

Purpose of a review: A review evaluates a subject such as a book, film, event or experience, presenting clear judgements supported by reasons. It aims to inform the audience about your viewpoint rather than simply recounting what happened, helping them decide whether the subject is worth their time.
Audience awareness: Reviews must adapt tone and style depending on who will read them, whether that is students, magazine readers or a general audience. Considering the background knowledge and expectations of the audience shapes the level of detail, formality and examples used.
Evaluation vs. summary: A strong review analyses what worked well or poorly and explains why these features were effective or ineffective. This distinction prevents the writing from becoming a plot summary and ensures it fulfils the evaluative purpose expected in GCSE tasks.

Flowchart showing how description and opinion combine to create evaluation in a review.

2. Underlying Principles

Balanced judgement: Effective reviews balance strengths and weaknesses, demonstrating the writer’s ability to consider multiple aspects of the subject. This balance prevents bias and builds credibility by showing a thoughtful, reasoned approach.
Justification of viewpoints: Opinions gain power when they are backed by clear explanations, examples or invented but realistic evidence. This principle ensures that the reader understands the reasoning behind each judgement and sees the review as trustworthy.
Clear focus on criteria: Strong evaluation depends on implicit criteria such as characterisation, structure, pacing or thematic depth. Identifying these criteria helps the writer judge features consistently rather than relying on vague impressions.

3. Methods and Techniques

Opening with context: A review should begin with a heading and a brief introduction that clarifies what is being reviewed and outlines the writer’s overall stance. This method prepares the reader and sets expectations for the argument that follows.
Using organised paragraphs: Each paragraph should address a separate aspect such as plot, performance, design or themes, and begin with a clear topic sentence. This structure ensures logical flow and helps the reader understand how each point contributes to the overall evaluation.
Integrating examples: Examples, whether factual or invented, support opinions by showing how specific moments illustrate a wider point. This technique demonstrates analytical thinking and strengthens the persuasiveness of the review.

4. Key Distinctions

Summary vs. Evaluation

Summary: Gives an overview of what happens without judgement; useful only as brief context.
Evaluation: Analyses effectiveness and impact, explaining why elements succeed or fail.

Description vs. Opinion

Description: States what something is like without indicating value.
Opinion: States a judgement but must be justified to be convincing.

Feature	Summary	Evaluation
Focus	Events/content	Quality and impact
Purpose	Inform	Judge and advise
GCSE value	Low	High

5. Exam Strategy and Tips

Refer to bullet points in the task: GCSE review questions often provide focus prompts, and addressing these ensures alignment with the assessment criteria. Ignoring them risks missing required content and weakening the clarity of your argument.
Maintain a consistent tone: Reviews should be engaging but controlled, avoiding slang unless suited to the audience. This tone demonstrates awareness of professional writing conventions, which examiners reward.
Conclude with a recommendation: Ending with a clear verdict reinforces the main argument and gives the reader a decisive takeaway. This strengthens cohesion and leaves a confident final impression.

6. Common Pitfalls and Misconceptions

Retelling the plot: Many students mistake detailed summary for evaluation, which weakens the analytical focus. Instead, summaries should be minimal and used only to support later judgement.
Unsupported opinions: Statements such as “it was boring” or “the characters were great” lack impact without explanation. Linking these claims to reasons or evidence strengthens credibility and meets exam expectations.
Ignoring the audience: Forgetting who the review is aimed at results in tone mismatches, such as being too formal for a youth magazine. Adapting tone shows audience awareness, a key part of GCSE assessment.

7. Connections and Extensions

Links to persuasive writing: Reviews share techniques such as emotive language, rhetorical devices and direct address. Understanding persuasive methods enhances a writer’s ability to influence the audience’s judgement.
Application to real‑world contexts: Review writing mirrors newspaper criticism, online ratings and social commentary. Recognising these contexts helps students adopt a more authentic and confident reviewing voice.