The topic explained
LESSON 7A WRITING | A review
- □ I can write a review.
The Jordan Museum: read a review that makes you want to go
1 SPEAKING In pairs, look at the photos from the Jordan Museum and discuss the questions. 1 What can you see in the photos? 2 What do you think you can see and learn about there?
1 Was the reviewer’s overall impression positive or negative? Which words tell you this?
2 Would you describe the tone of the review as formal or informal? Say why.
3 What was the reviewer most impressed by?
4 Was there anything he didn’t like about it?
The Jordan Museum review by Osama Aljabari
بعد القراءة: ما رأي الكاتب، وبأي أسلوب كتب؟
Introduction
The review plan: five paragraphs, one job each
- Introduction: Give brief details of where and when you went, and your overall impression.
- First main paragraph: Describe the event/exhibition/museum/show, etc. in more detail (sight, sound, etc.).
- Positive aspects:
- What I 1 ___ liked was …
- The/A/One/Another 2 ___ was …
- I was (also) 3 ___ /blown away by …
- Negative aspects:
- My only 4 ___ is …
- If I have one criticism, it’s …
- It didn’t live up to my expectations.
- I was (also) disappointed by …
- Recommendations:
- I’d 5 ___ recommend going …
- I don’t recommend seeing …
- It’s (not) worth visiting … (if …)
Second main paragraph - positive aspects
What I 1 ___ liked was …
The/A/One/Another 2 ___ was …
I was (also) 3 ___ /blown away by …
My only 4 ___ is …
I’d 5 ___ recommend going …
والأسلوب: مراجعة المتحف ليست مقالًا رسميًّا.
Style and register
Style and register: write it lively and personal
- Use informal, conversational vocabulary, e.g. lots of, mind-blowing, gross, etc.
- Use phrasal verbs, e.g. check out, etc.
- Share your personal feelings, e.g. What I liked was …, I was disappointed by …
- Use exclamation marks, e.g. There was a great gift shop and café!
ومن أدوات الأسلوب الحيّ: كلمات تقوّي الصفة.
WATCH OUT!
Intensifiers: make an adjective stronger
- Use a range of intensifiers to make your writing more interesting.
| Intensifiers | Use |
|---|---|
| Very, extremely, super, hugely, highly, incredibly | can only be used with gradable adjectives |
| Absolutely, completely, totally and utterly | can only be used with non-gradable adjectives |
| Pretty, really and seriously | can be used with both types of adjectives |
- The sound effects were extremely loud.
- The exhibition was absolutely fascinating.
1 a I was seriously ___ when we walked across the tight rope.
b I was totally ___ .
2 a The sound effects were incredibly ___ .
b Yes, they were really ___ !
3 a I look completely ___ in this photo.
b Yes, you do look pretty ___ .
4 a The interactive displays were utterly ___ .
b Yes, I found them very ___ too.
5 a The Dead Sea scrolls were extremely ___ .
b I thought they were totally ___ .
الآن دورك: اكتب مراجعتك.
Your turn: write a review
- Before you begin, make notes about what you liked/didn’t like.
- Use a lively, informal style.
- Use a range of adjectives and adjective intensifiers to emphasise your opinions.
- Give a clear recommendation at the end.
- Use the Graphic Organiser to help you plan your writing.
