A novel worth the patience: writing a literary review
A critic reviews a slow, ambitious translated novel; students study how praise and reservations are balanced, then review a work they know.
C2Adults55 minReview
About this lesson
A C2 writing lesson (review). Prompts, model texts and simple checklists — from a first email to an opinion essay.
- Level
- C2
- Skill
- Writing
- Type
- Review
- Students
- Adults
- Time
- About 55 minutes
- Topic
- Movies, books & the arts
- Activities
- Speaking / writing task, Key words, Reading text, Multiple choice, Matching, Gap-fill
- Key words
- at risk of being mistaken for, The premise is simple enough, less a… than a…, deserves particular praise, is not without its flaws, sits uneasily with, minor reservations, will find much to treasure here
- Access
- Premium
By the end, students can
- Analyze how a review balances summary, evaluation and recommendation
- Use precise evaluative language to praise and criticize
- Write a 350–400 word review of a book, movie, series, play or exhibition