A review text is a flexible genre which may vary according to the nature of the creative work being worked on, the intended audience, and the aspects of the work considered worth commenting on.
The purpose of review text is to analyze and evaluate some creative works, and to inform people about its strengths and weaknesses.
The basic structure of a review text consists of four parts or components, they are:
1. Title
Briefly identifies the subject of the review in some interesting way, and generally is linked to the reviewer’s name.
2. Identification of the work
Identifies:
The name of the creative work which is the subject of the review.
· What kind of work it is (such as film, movie, novel, research investigation, books, cassette etc)
· Its author(s), publisher or producer, and date of production. Not all these details are necessary.
3. Evaluation of the work
The reviewer describes particular aspects of the work, and offers their opinion regarding them, their quality, effectiveness, and so forth.
4. Conclusions/ recommendations
The reviewer summarizes their assessment of the value of the work, and makes recommendations regarding how others should regard the work.
Now read an example of review text of a film!
If you like a war film, "We Were Soldiers" is the film to see. It is starred by Mel Gibson and directed by Randall Wallace. Mel Gibson plays the leading role as Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore. This film is about American heroism in Vietnam war. Lt. Col. Hal Moore leads a battalion of US army in Vietnam. Most of his troops are young men that are innocent to war. His mission is to seize a strategic valley named La Drang or the valley of death. To motivate his young troops, he said, "I swear … when we go into the battle I will be the first to step on the field and I will be the last to step off. I will leave no one behind…dead or alive. We will come home together". All the troops go to the battle with braveness. The 400 US army fight with 2000 Vietnamese soldiers. Even though he fails to take control the valley, he can show his loyalty to his country and to each other. This multi-million production has some breathtaking scenes. It is a film full of suspense. The special effects and stunts are spectacular and create an atmosphere of tension. Don’t miss watching it.
The text above is called a review text. This text analyses and evaluates about a film.
Now read an example of review text of a book!
Title : Science through the Ages
Title in Indonesian : Sains dari Masa ke Masa
Author : Janice VanCleave
Published by : Pakar Raya, Bandung
Price : Rp. 20.000,00
You will discover the answer to the above questions and many other fascinating questions when you take a journey through science history with Janice VanCleave as your guide. Packed with fun facts, activities and experiments, Janis VanCleave’s Science through the Ages introduces you to the amazing stories behind some of the greatest scientific discoveries of our time. Each chapter provides easy-to-follow instructions for hands on experiments, as well as clear explanation that reveal the many science has helped people- from ancient times right up through today!
You will find out how to use Stone Ages tools to make art, build a simple telescope, look at your own blood vessels, construct a stethoscope, create a model of Galileo’s gas thermometer and much more. As with all of Janice VanCleaves’s books, the contents or materials are safe, inexpensive and easily found around the house. So take a time traveling tour of discovery and get ready for hours and hours of fascinating science fun at home or in classroom.
The text above is called a review text. This text analyses and evaluates about a book. The other topic of review text can be a new launching album of a music band, novel, tools etc.
To make better understanding about review text, now read again the concept!
Purpose: to summarize, analyze and respond to art works or
To critique an art work or event for a public audience
Text organization/ generic structure of the text:
1. Orientation
Background information on the text
2. Interpretative recount
Summary of an art work (including characters and plot)
3. Evaluation
Concluding statement: judgement, opinion or recommendation
4. Evaluative summation
The last opinion consisting of the appraisal or punch line of the art work being reviewed.
Language features:
· The use of complex and compound sentences
· The use of adjectives and phrases of appraisal
· The use of metaphorical expressions
The use of noun phrases
Sources:
Prasetyaningsih, Purwati, Sri, Endang, Yani, Wiannastiti, Melania. 2005. English For A Better Life : English for Language Students. Bandung : Pakar Raya Pakarnya Pustaka
Sudarwati and Eudia Grace.2007. Look Ahead: An English Course for Senior High School Students Year XII, Science and Social Study Program. Jakarta: Erlangga
