Review

In this task about writing a review, we have to answer to different questions, so I'm going to differenciete them.

First of all, two questions are posted:
1. What kinds of things are reviewed in newspapers and magazines?
I think that the kind of information reviewed is what's related to the activities we usually do in our free time. I mean that we find reviews about movies in the cinema, books, restaurants...
2. How much are you influenced by a review? Would a good review encourage you to go and see a film? Would a bad review stop you buying a book?
I must recognise that I'm usually influenced by this reviews. Specially regarding to films. For example, if I'm not too interested in going to see a new film in the cinema, but I read two or three good reviews about it, I'll surely go. And the other way is the same; if I want to go to see something but I read bad opinions...I'll probably renunce to it. Maybe it´s different with books, as I don't pay much attention to that reviews, but I also like to read some opinions before I definitevly buy a book that I think I'll like.


Now I'll talk abut the review made about Eduard Simpson.
I think that the part missing on it, is the introduction that should catch the reader's interest. I'd say that the first paragraph starts telling where Edward comes from, so it gives the background information. In the second paragraph it talks about what Edwaurd's paintings are about, so it gives a description of what's being reviewed. And in the same paragrph, I'd say that it´s giving some general comments about his paintings. FInally, for me it´s clear that the last paragraph give the writer's personal opinion.


I'll end my entry with the answers to the questions posted about reviwes:
1. How would you describe the style of the review - formal, informal or a mixture?
I'd decribe the style as a mixture. The reviewer never uses contractions, which is a characteristic of the formal style. But the expressions used sounds near to the reader; he or she means to approach to the reader by using simple sentences and making questions.
2. Why does the the reviewer include direct speech?
This could be a sign of the informal part of the style. I also think that it's a way of explaining where he or she takes the information he or she has written about.
3. How does the reviewer catch the reader's interest in the beginning?
I have said that this is the part missing in the review,as the first sentence of it starts saying tha Edward comes from a family with a lot of artists. And for me, this is making a review of the background of the artist.
4. In which part of the review does the reviewer include
a. a description of the painting?
In the second paragraph, when it's described the colours used and what the paintings are about.
b. his own opinion?
In the last paragraph, when he talks about his or her feelings when he or she first saw an Edward's painting.
c. general comments?

In the last part of the second paragraph, when it tallks about the effect the paintings have on some people.

Competition Entry

This competition sounds very interesting to me, so the writing must be very well planified, to make the judges see that you are really interested, because there may be a lot of candidates.

I would say that I´m a very good candidate for the prize, as I´ve always taken English very seriously, and because it´s something important for my future job. This could be the introduction of my competition entry.

Then I would write a first paragraph in which I would answer the two first questions of the announcement: I will say that I find English something enjoyable to study, and the reasons why, and then I would link this with the ways I learn it and put it in practise. The reason why I would answer these two questions in the same paragraph is because if I like studying English, then it´s normal to think that I don´t just study it as something compulsory at school, but I also use my free time to learn it.

Finally, I will explain how I expect to use English in my future job and personal life. This may give a general vision of why I want to be a good English speaker, with which I would definitively try to persuade to the judges of the competition.