English 9/23 notes

Two basic elements of a review

  • judgement

  • criteria you used to land at that judgement

If you choose the media you review, think about which one would allow you to best cover your subject and reach the audience

Online, people may review things differently based on who sponsors a post. For example, the Detroit news may review a car differently because people who work in the auto industry and the car makers may be a advertizer in the magazine, but in consumer reports it will be less bias.

The most successful review share these features:

  • Relevant background information about the subject

  • Criteria for the evaluation

  • A well supported evaluation

  • Attention to the audiences needs and expectations

  • An authoritative tone

  • Awareness of the ethics of reviewing

For criterias, you want to shape it for certain audiences and purposes.

Qualitative criteria can be as persuasive as quantitative criteria

All authors need to consider what their audience expects from them

Authors who write reviews establish their authority through demonstrating knowledge, balancing praise and critique, and establishing a relationship with the audience early on.

Roadmap to writing a review

Choose something to review and find an interesting angle.

  • if you get to choose your topic, pick a subject your interested in and know something about

  • If your topic is assigned, try to tailor it to your interests and find an angle engaging to the audience

Consider your rhetorical situation

  • Think about what your audience knows and expects. If your review is for an assignment, consider your instructor to be your primary audience and know what’s expected.

Think about your purpose - why are you writing this review, and what motivations are behind the writing

Consider your stance - think about your overall attitude about the subject and how you want to come across as an author.

Think about the larger context - what if any background information about your subject should you consider-other books on the same subject or by the same author? movies in the same genre? similar products made by different companies?

Consider your language -what variety of language or dialect will best suit your audience and help you achieve your goals as a writer, and do you want to conform or stray away from those expectations.

Consider Media - how will your medium affect your review and if its online what can you do to enhance it

Consider matters of design - think about what will help readers understand your message (illustrations videos etc)

Evaluate your subject

  • Examine your subject closely

  • Do any necessary research

  • Determine the criteria for your evaluation

  • Make a judgement about your subject

  • Anticipate other points of view

  • Think about your mix of description or summary and evaluation

Organize and start writing

  • Come up with a tentative thesis

  • Describe or summarize the subject your reviewing

  • Evaluate your subject

  • Draft a opening

  • Draft a conclusion

Look critically at your draft get responses- and revise

  • Is the evaluation stated explicitly?

  • How well does the introduction capture the audiences interest?

  • Is the subject described or summarized sufficiently for your audience

  • How much of the review is description and how much is evaluation

  • What are the criteria for the evaluation

  • What good reasons and evidence support the evaulation

  • What other viewpoints do you consider, and how well do you respond to these views

  • How would you describe the stance and tone

  • How is the draft organized

  • What about design, should any material be set off as a list or chart or table? Any illustrations?

  • Is the style well suited for the intended audience?

  • How does the draft conclude?

  • Is this a fair review?