avatarDr. Casey Lawrence

Summary

The website content provides guidance on writing effective reviews by balancing quantifying ratings with qualifying detailed analysis, emphasizing the importance of substance in reviews and offering tips for structuring review content to inform and engage readers.

Abstract

The article "How to Write a Review" outlines the key aspects of crafting a compelling review, which includes both quantifying elements like star ratings and qualifying elements like the written text. It explains that while ratings provide a quick assessment, the qualifying portion offers nuanced insights into the reviewer's experience, covering aspects such as strengths, weaknesses, and personal reflections. The author, Casey Lawrence, encourages reviewers to establish credibility, engage with the subject matter beyond surface-level ratings, and provide context and evidence to support their opinions. The article also suggests that reviews can be personalized and creative, breaking away from traditional formats, and invites readers to contribute to the "Reviewsday Tuesday" publication on Medium.

Opinions

  • Quantifying ratings, such as stars, are useful for data aggregation but often lack the depth needed to convey the nuances of a reviewer's experience.
  • Qualifying text is crucial as it provides detailed explanations for the ratings given and offers readers insights into the reviewer's perspective.
  • Reviews should be tailored to the target audience and provide a balance of both positive and negative aspects of the subject matter.
  • Reviewers are encouraged to back up their opinions with specific examples and to be transparent about their personal biases or connections to the subject matter.
  • There is an emphasis on the value of personal and creative approaches to writing reviews, suggesting that unique formats can make a review more memorable and engaging.
  • The author believes that the qualifying portion of a review is more important than the quantifying rating when it comes to informing potential consumers or audience members.
  • Casey Lawrence, the editor of "Reviewsday Tuesday," values engagement with the subject matter on a deeper level and supports new writers in the publication.

How to Write a Review

Helpful tips to organize and spice up your reviews

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

So you want to write a review (maybe even for Reviewsday Tuesday), but you’re not sure where to start.

There are two major components of reviews: quantifying and qualifying. By quantifying, I mean assigning value based on a rating system, such as the five-star scale. By qualifying, I mean the accompanying text of the review itself that offers facts, opinions, and recommendations that are reflected in the quantification.

Let’s take a closer look at these two components.

Quantifying

Books and movies are common subject for reviews. People review books on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads, which ask for a rating out of five stars. Movies, similarly, are reviewed on platforms like IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes, which ask for a percentile quantification of your enjoyment.

In the introduction to The Anthropocene Reviewed, John Green writes that

The five-star scale doesn’t really exist for humans; it exists for data aggregation systems, which is why it did not become standard until the internet era. Making conclusions about a book’s quality from a 175 word review is hard work for artificial intelligence is, whereas star ratings are ideal for them.

Rating systems make it really easy to make a snap judgement about a book or film’s quality, but rarely express the nuance of your experience. For example, I might knock a star off for a criterion that doesn’t matter to my reader, or overlook something they care deeply about. That’s why the substance of a review is so important, or the qualifying portion.

If you rate a book one star, you probably have some complaints about it. Your readers are going to want to know why it scored so low, and will be confused if the qualification sings its praises. On the flipside, it would be strange to see a five star film review that doesn’t recommend the others watch it.

Here at Reviewsday Tuesday, we encourage engagement with the subject on a level deeper than most rating systems can accommodate. Unlike Amazon or Goodreads, your review isn’t being put into a dataset, so the rating doesn’t “matter” beyond what it can tell your reader.

Of course, you’re welcome to include a “rating” in your review anyway. Ratings can make an excellent shorthand for criteria that don’t require that much qualification. For example, you might rate a romance novel based on

Steaminess: ❤️❤️️️❤️❤️❤️ Romance: ❤️❤️❤️ Plot: ❤️❤️❤️ Writing: ❤️❤️

Usually, you can assume that ratings are out of five. What this series of ratings can tell us is that the romance novel is very steamy (5), pretty romantic (3), and has an okay plot (3), but isn’t that well written (2).

If you care a lot about the writing quality or aren’t looking for erotica, these quick judgements make it easy to tell the book isn’t for you. On a regular five-star scale, the reviewer might’ve given this book three stars, but that doesn’t give us much information.

Whether you want to write a traditional five-star scale review or something more unique, here’s how to go about writing the substantive portion of your review.

Qualifying

Reviews are how we express our opinions about the media we consume, and to help others decide whether or not to watch it.

By the end of your review, your reader should know

  1. Why did you choose to review this subject?
  2. What is your opinion on the subject?
  3. Why should we trust your opinion about it?

You don’t have to be an expert, but your readers should be able to find value in your judgement. For example, consider the target audience. Think about who the book or movie is intended for and whether it is likely to appeal to that audience. If you are part of that target audience, then your review already has credibility. If not, you may want to justify why your perspective on this topic matters.

Once you’ve established why you’re writing the review, it is time to outline. Here are some tips on how to organize the body of your review:

  • Start with an introduction.

Give your readers some context, including the title, author/director, and genre. You might also want to mention the release date, main characters, actors, and any controversial topics that will come up during your review.

  • Provide a short synopsis.

Summarize of the plot (without major spoilers, if possible). If it’s an old book or movie, some spoilers may be fine — so long as they are common knowledge. No one is watching Star Wars in 2023 without knowing “Luke, I am your father.” But make sure not to spoil the ending, unless you’re criticizing it!

  • Discuss strengths and weaknesses.

Give a highlights reel of the best and worst things about the subject. Discussing both positives and negatives will give your review balance.

Try to be honest about what you enjoyed and what you didn’t enjoy. This can include everything from the writing style, themes, and pacing, to the plot, hook, and characters.

  • Offer your opinion.

Be honest but fair, but make sure to offer some kind of perspective. You don’t have to “rate” it, but a good review makes a point, rather than just summarizing. Your opinion may include a recommendation (to seek out, or perhaps avoid, the subject), but doesn’t have to.

  • Provide evidence.

Back up your opinions with specific examples. If you didn’t like a particular character, explain why. What was it about them that didn’t work? If you loved the writing style, quote specific passages that you found particularly evocative. If the plot is full of holes, give an example.

  • Don’t be afraid to get personal.

The format of a “review” can be a bit formulaic sometimes, so remember that you can give a review your own personal twist. The writing that tends to do best on Medium are essays that resonate with readers, but also reveal something about the writer.

For example, when I review a movie, I always discuss its LGBTQ representation and offer my perspective as a queer person.

  • Don’t feel like your review has to follow a specific format.

Some reviewers prefer to have a more organic review, one that doesn’t follow the typical structure of a review (as I just outlined). Experiment with different forms, such as writing your review as a letter, a poem, or even a fictional story. This can help make your review more memorable.

Here at Reviewsday Tuesday, we believe that reviewing is an art. So:

  • Have fun with it.

There are no rules!

Support the Editor

Reviewsday Tuesday has been run by yours truly, Casey Lawrence, since its first iteration as a tumblog. Running a publication is a time-consuming volunteer activity. If you enjoy my work, consider showing your support by buying me a coffee. If you sign up using my referral link to get unlimited access to all Medium stories, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

If you would like to write for Reviewsday Tuesday, check out the submission guidelines. I am eagerly accepting new writers at this time. Follow the publication here on Medium and also on Twitter.

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