what makes for a good review?

What's the difference between the review you skip over and the one you read? Reviews are commonplace today, propelling some products to the top of your search results and burying others. This week, we'll dive into these reviews and become master reviewers ourselves.

Module summary:
  • Read a short story and review
  • Compare reviews and develop criteria for a decent review
  • Review a product
    • Evaluate classmates' reviews
  • Watch a movie with a critic's eye
  • Review like a pro!
Picture
How would you review glow-in-the-dark toilet paper?

essential questions
  • What is explanatory writing - and why is it important to do it well?
  • How do we evaluate something comprehensively and creatively?
  • How can the online medium enhance our writing?

goals
  • Students will understand that explanatory writing is unbiased, logical writing that accurately conveys an idea.
  • Students will understand that explaining clearly is beneficial in many scenarios: in school, in a job or college interview, in court, in a relationship...
  • Students will understand that effective evaluation looks at multiple criteria consistently and in detail.
  • Students will understand that writing online allows us to add depth to ideas by incorporating video, photos, and links to further information.

activities
Monday:
  • Warm-up: read "Death of a Government Clerk", by Anton Checkov.
    • Write a review as you see fit
  • Review learning objectives and expectations for the week
  • Discuss short story and compare reviews
  • Develop criteria for writing a review
    • what is the purpose? 
    • what is the difference between explanatory and persuasive writing?
  • Review a tangible product, using established criteria
Tuesday:
  • Evaluate product reviews
  • Watch movie with the eye of a critic
    • take notes based on review criteria
Wednesday:
  • Finish movie
    • Draft review
Thursday: 
  • Conference with Christine about review
  • Post final review on blog post
    • include one photo and one YouTube clip
Friday: 
  • no class

c-tachs
Writing
  • Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
  • Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in flexible and dynamic ways (open to feedback, link to other information). 
Speaking and listening: 
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

student blogs
Your website link will be added here once it exists. Yay instant publishing, fame, and success!

resources
Reviews Module Syllabus
File Size: 38 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Death of a Government Clerk
File Size: 37 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

The Mission of Chaffee County High School

“Chaffee County High School strives to engage and educate students through systemic and targeted interventions so they can make a positive impact on their community." 

Contact Us