1. It’s Showtime Writing Reviews ~Mrs. Satterthwaite JRN 1/2

2. Why write reviews? As a service to our readers As a service to our readers Let them know what’s worth their money and/or time Let them know what’s worth their money and/or time Review things for The Talon that aren’t reviewed elsewhere Review things for The Talon that aren’t reviewed elsewhere Movies/cds/books often found online Movies/cds/books often found online 5 top youtube videos, apple orchards, places to go on a date, etc. are not found elsewhere 5 top youtube videos, apple orchards, places to go on a date, etc. are not found elsewhere

3. Writing a review Know you’re reviewing ahead of time Know you’re reviewing ahead of time Take copious note Take copious note Specific examples are a must Specific examples are a must Write about what’s good AND what’s bad Write about what’s good AND what’s bad Informal tone is okay Informal tone is okay Keep it short Keep it short no more than 5 paragraphs no more than 5 paragraphs Paragraphs no longer than 4-5 sentences Paragraphs no longer than 4-5 sentences

4. What to review Movies (new releases, DVD’s, youtube videos, etc.) Movies (new releases, DVD’s, youtube videos, etc.) Music (concerts, new releases, singles, etc.) Music (concerts, new releases, singles, etc.) Television (new shows, commercials, seasons on DVD) Television (new shows, commercials, seasons on DVD) Theater (musicals, plays, etc.) Theater (musicals, plays, etc.) Other performances (dance, comedians, magic acts, circuses, etc.) Other performances (dance, comedians, magic acts, circuses, etc.) Books Books Art (gallery shows, museum exhibits, graffiti, etc.) Art (gallery shows, museum exhibits, graffiti, etc.) Food (restaurants, clubs, coffee shops, apple orchards, etc.) Food (restaurants, clubs, coffee shops, apple orchards, etc.) Games (video, computer, cell phone, board games, etc.) Games (video, computer, cell phone, board games, etc.) Technology (audio, video, computer hardware/software, websites) Technology (audio, video, computer hardware/software, websites) Cars Cars Consumer goods (cold remedies, lawn mowers, holiday gifts, etc.) Consumer goods (cold remedies, lawn mowers, holiday gifts, etc.)

5. 5-Paragraph Structure for things you review that have a plot Paragraph 1: Lead (3-4 sentences) Paragraph 1: Lead (3-4 sentences) Paragraph 2: Storyline (4-6 sentences) Paragraph 2: Storyline (4-6 sentences) Paragraph 3: What’s good (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 3: What’s good (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 4: What’s bad (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 4: What’s bad (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 5: Summary (3-4 sentences) Paragraph 5: Summary (3-4 sentences)

6. 5-Paragraph Structure for things you review that don’t have a plot Paragraph 1: Lead (3-4 sentences) Paragraph 1: Lead (3-4 sentences) Paragraph 2: Product description (4-6 sentences) Paragraph 2: Product description (4-6 sentences) Paragraph 3: Special features (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 3: Special features (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 4: Performance pros/cons (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 4: Performance pros/cons (4-5 sentences) Paragraph 5: Recommendations (3-4 sentences) Paragraph 5: Recommendations (3-4 sentences)

7. Review Do’s Be specific – examples are a must Be specific – examples are a must Use quotation marks around “Titles” of movies, CDs, songs, etc. Use quotation marks around “Titles” of movies, CDs, songs, etc. Keep paragraphs short Keep paragraphs short Give a final assessment out of 5 stars Give a final assessment out of 5 stars

8. Review Don’ts Reveal surprise plot twists or story endings Reveal surprise plot twists or story endings Unfair bias (try to think like a majority of your readers) Unfair bias (try to think like a majority of your readers) Take it personally when people disagree with you Take it personally when people disagree with you Overwrite – stuffy people write for “New York Times” not “The Talon” Overwrite – stuffy people write for “New York Times” not “The Talon” Add unnecessary phrases like “I think” or “In my opinion” – it’s implied Add unnecessary phrases like “I think” or “In my opinion” – it’s implied Use vague adjectives like boring, awful, fantastic Use vague adjectives like boring, awful, fantastic Write negative reviews about amateur concerts or children’s plays Write negative reviews about amateur concerts or children’s plays get personal – criticize the performance, not the performer’s private life, appearance, political beliefs, etc. get personal – criticize the performance, not the performer’s private life, appearance, political beliefs, etc.

9. Plot summary tips Here’s a poor example: Here’s a poor example: In the beginning of “Star Wars” Princess Leia and her droids R2D2 and C3PO are on ship that is overtaken by Darth Vader, an evil lord. Right before they are captured, Princess Leia loads a secret message onto R2s Hard drive. Luckily, R2 and 3PO escape to a desert planet. There, they’re captured by a bunch of pint-sized roving junk traders called Jawas. Meanwhile, Leia has been taken prisoner by Darth Vader. Later, R2 and 3PO are bought by the family of a young farmer, Luke Skywalker who is a typical bored teenager looking for adventure. When R2 Runs away to deliver the message Leia loaded into him, Luke goes out to chase the droids. When he finds them they are attacked by sand people only to be rescued by a strange old hermit named Ben Kenobi who takes Luke and the droids home for tea before telling them that he is a surviving member of the ancient order of Jedi Knights... (GET THE PICTURE)

10. Plot summary tips continued Here’s a good example: Here’s a good example: “Star Wars” is the story young Luke Skywalker, an adventurous farm boy who finds himself thrown into the middle of a galactic Civil War. Along the way, he journeys from his home planet Tatoine across the galaxy with the droids C3PO and R2D2 and his mentor figure, Obi-Wan Kenobi, a member of the ancient order of Jedi Knights. Hooking up with a rogue smuggler named Han Solo, the group attempts to liberate captured Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the Evil Empire, setting in motion a string of excellent battles and adventures.

11. Writing about what’s good and bad Where possible, use some concrete examples, but don’t give too much away. Where possible, use some concrete examples, but don’t give too much away. Good example of paragraph 3 (what was GOOD): Good example of paragraph 3 (what was GOOD): Among “Star Wars’” many highlights are the incredibly realistic dogfight scenes. In one of the best, director Lucas places the camera behind Luke and Han in the ship’s gun turrets while enemy fighters zoom in for attack. This technique was reminiscent of thrilling World War II footage (albeit, with spaceships instead of fighter planes) and helps put the viewer in the middle of the action in a way few films do. In fact, a look around the theatre showed audience members grabbing their seats and leaning back and forth in their seat as if trying to outmaneuver blows from the Imperial fighters—a sure sign that Lucas achieves his goal in these thrilling sequences. Good example of paragraph 4 (what was BAD): Good example of paragraph 4 (what was BAD): Whatever Lucas’ strengths as a director of action, as a writer of dialogue, he could use some help. All of the characters speak in the wooden language of 1940’s action films. While this fits the film’s matinee feel, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for character development or particularly memorable lines. It’s to the cast’s credit that they are able to play this off straight enough to keep their lines from being unintentionally funny.

12. Additional tips Purpose of a review, preparing the review and writing the review handout Purpose of a review, preparing the review and writing the review handout Writing the album review Writing the album review Writing the movie review Writing the movie review Writing the food review Writing the food review

13. Looking for Inspiration? Grab a copy of “Rolling Stone” or “US Weekly” and a post-it note Grab a copy of “Rolling Stone” or “US Weekly” and a post-it note Flip through it and read the reviews Flip through it and read the reviews Put a post-it note on your favorite review Put a post-it note on your favorite review Write on the post-it what you liked about it Write on the post-it what you liked about it In a small group of 4-5, share your review (read it out loud in full) and explain what you liked about it In a small group of 4-5, share your review (read it out loud in full) and explain what you liked about it As a group, select the overall best review As a group, select the overall best review We’ll share the best reviews as a large group We’ll share the best reviews as a large group

14. Assignment Write a review! Write a review! Due Friday by the end of class Due Friday by the end of class