Making a recommendation

*I would highly / strongly recommend …

* I certainly wouldn’t recommend …

* I strongly advise you (not) to …

* Everyone should see / do / read this … immediately!

* … is not to be missed!

* You should give … a miss!

* Don’t bother reading / seeing / going …

* It is a classic of its kind/ It is sure to be a hit/ best -seller

General Tips

Write for the reader. Always bear in mind who you are writing for. If you’re writing for a magazine, think of the kind of people who read that particular magazine. A book review is intended for people who have not read the book, so don’t assume that your readers already know the story.

Don’t talk about yourself. When giving your opinion, whether in a review or elsewhere, be careful not to fall into the trap of talking about yourself. Try to be objective. One way of testing for objectivity is to check your writing for the words I, me, my, myself. Similarly, phrases such as in my opinion, to my mind, I think should be used as little as possible; any more than once in the first paragraph and once in the last, and your review seems to focus on yourself, not your subject.

3- Write in an impersonal style. Many students spoil their articles and reviews by writing in a chatty, informal style as if they were talking to a friend. On the contrary, essays, articles and
reviews should be relatively impersonal. Your readers are not particularly interested in you: they need information, description and narrative more than they need your opinion.

You don’t know your reader, so be careful about using the word you.

5- Use precise, descriptive vocabulary. Generalizations such as This book is boringcommunicate very little to the reader. Specific observations and concrete facts, on the other hand, help the reader to share your experience. If you have strong feelings about your subject, this should make your writing more interesting – but be careful! Strong feelings must be given form and coldly translated into precise words.

Task1:

You have seen the following announcement in a magazine.

ENTER NOW!!

OUR READERS AND THE BOOK THEY TREASURE

• Is there one special book that has had a great influence on your life?

• Write in and tell us about it.

• Tell us briefly about the book and, more importantly, what it taught you or how it helped you.

• The best entry will be published in the near future.

Prize: £100 in book tokens to help you build up your own library!

Write your review in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.

Task2:

The magazine published by your school’s English club is asking students to give opinions on the coursebooks they have been using. Write a review of a coursebook, giving your views on the following points:

• its content

• its design

• how well it prepares students for the exam

• how much it has helped you improve your English

Write your review in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.