Reviews: Evaluating Works and Performances 
The schedule and
requirements for doing this assignment follow Chapter 11 in Trimbur's Call
to Write. We will focus on specific sections of the chapter, particularly
on the sections that offer model film and book reviews and tips for writing
reviews. Please keep in mind that you will put your review on your website. For
this project, you can select to review a film, book, television special,
concert or some other performance, or a CD.
Some Pointers and
Assignments:
Read
Trimbur, pp. 416-424. In these pages, Trimbur discusses different kinds of
reviews, ranging from film reviews to consumer reports to concert reviews. He
makes the point that reviews are based on criteria, though these criteria might
not be stated explicitly in the review itself. Because most people are
accustomed to reading reviews, they know what to expect in a specific kind of
review. For example, readers of film reviewers expect that the writer will talk
about the film's plot, acting, directing, and certain special effects. It is
not uncommon to see comparisons in film reviews, such as comparing an actor's
performance in the film to previous performances. Book reviews comment on plot,
author's style, character development, theme and generic-specific
characteristics (e.g., mystery, biography).
Reviews
use persuasive writing techniques. Even though the reader might disagree with
the reviewer, typically a reader knows a good review when seeing one because
the reviewer is persuasive. As a reviewer, you need not persuade your readers
to share your opinions, but you should convince them that you have built a good
case for arriving at your judgments.
After
Trimbur's brief introduction on pages 416 to 418, he offers two reviews of the
film, "Evita." These two reviews are excellent models. They are well
written and include the basic characteristics common to a film review. After
you complete this section of the reading, do Journal 15.
Skip
to the end of the chapter, and
read the book review written by student, Denise Sega. (See pages 451-453). Then
do
In
Trimbur, read pages 434 to 440. In this section Trimbur further discusses the
genre of reviews and offers some examples of reviews that use pictorial
characteristics. It is conceivable that you will later decide to use some
pictorial representations to accompany your review, particularly when you place
it into your website.
Starting
on page 441, Trimbur outlines possible subjects to use for reviews. Look
through his suggestions. Use this list to select a tentative topic. Then move
on to Journal 17.
The
next step is to begin your working draft. Be sure to read through pages 443-450
for ideas regarding how to develop your review:
Establishing
criteria
Considering
relation between description and evaluation
Using
comparisons
Paragraph
development: Supporting with facts and evidence
Beginnings
and endings: Establishing and justifying criteria
Connections
and coherence: Logical transitions
Assignment for Thursday,
November 29 and December 4:
A
complete copy of your review is due for a peer review. Please
bring two copies so we can have a successful session! The final copy is due December 4. In addition to the printed copy,
please bring a computer copy to class on December 4, so you can convert the
review to web format for viewing on the Internet.
Criteria for Evaluating Reviews
Development
of ideas: balance between description
and evaluation; paragraphs developed with supporting facts and evidence
Organization:
beginnings and endings that establish
and justify criteria, transitions among the parts of the review
Critical
thinking: depth of analysis and
critique
Mechanics,
usage, and word choice
Please be sure to rely on
Trimbur's helpful ideas and models. Doing so, should help you to write an
excellent review.
Last revised: November 20, 2001
J. Arzt