Reviews: understand now what they are, types and examples

Do you know what they are? reviewsYou've certainly heard this term somewhere! However, do you really know what it means?

What is a review?

THE review It is an analysis of something, which could be a product, book, service, company, song, fashion concept, etc.

It is also considered a text genre, being used to describe a specific work: text, documentary, series, or film.

When it's a form of criticism, emphasis is placed on the opinion of the writer; furthermore, it serves to prepare the reader who wishes to become familiar with the original work.

Nowadays it is very common to find content channels specializing in doing reviews of a specific topic, for example, books, series or movies.

The number of people seeking this type of content is also very large. This is because they are looking for opinions about a particular work or product, other points of view, and also how it is evaluated by critics.

In addition to conducting an analysis, the reviewer You can classify work to indicate its value, importance, quality level, or impact.

This tool is also used in academic settings for various purposes, including assessment.

What is the difference between reviews and summaries?

Some people often confuse these two genders, but despite their similarities, they differ and have different roles.

THE summary It also serves the purpose of presenting the main information about a work. However, it is more precise and is limited to summarizing the content in its main message.

THE reviewIn turn, in addition to presenting the information and structure of the work, it also includes critical analyses and more detailed data.

This genre can add a lot of value to a work; listing important points and opinions.

What are the main types of reviews?

There are four main types of reviewsHowever, this classification is more commonly used in academic settings.

In other contexts, a single review can encompass two or more types: it can be descriptive and opinion-based, in most cases. Learn more about each type below.

# Descriptive Reviews

Also known as an informative review, its main function is to describe a content and its structure.

In this type of review, it is important to avoid personal criticism. The focus should be on an accurate and faithful presentation of the elements of the work.

Your main goal should be to inform the reader about the content, characteristics, highlights, and ideas discussed, but without providing an analysis.

This review template is not only suitable for describing a book, but also an event, exhibition, play, lecture, etc.

To write an effective review of the work, you can answer questions such as:

Who is the author?
When was it produced?
Where was the work presented?
Where do the events take place?
What are the main topics covered?
How is the content organized?
What is the author's conclusion?

Of the three types of reviews Of the types of sentences presented in this text, the descriptive one is the most similar to a summary.

Although it doesn't have a critical tone, you can contextualize the subject, always being careful not to express your point of view.

To perform this type of analysis, consider the following steps:

Identify the work (title, author's name, number of pages, place of publication, etc.).
Introduce the artwork and explain the historical context in which it is situated.
Show how the chapters are divided with a summary description.
Summarize the main ideas.

As an example of a descriptive review, observe the text by José Patrício Pereira MeloRegarding the book "Introduction to Critical Legal Thought" by Dr. Antônio Carlos Wolkmer.

READ TEXT ➔

# Critical Review

A critical review is also called an opinion review because the reviewer performs a critical analysis of the work and expresses their point of view.

In addition to providing a summary, he also points out his interpretation of the original content.

This is one of the most common types of reviews. In this approach, the reviewer uses solid arguments to assign a value judgment to the work, which can be either positive or negative.

A critical reviewer can have a great deal of influence over their readers by presenting their personal assessments and considerations regarding the object being analyzed.

It is very common to find people who dedicate their time to doing this type of activity.

Certainly, it's a very interesting topic, and you can create content of this type if you identify with it.

If you love binge-watching series, how about becoming a series reviewer? Use the main digital channels to publish your reviews.

To write a good critical review, keep the following steps in mind:

Know the subject of the review very well.
Take notes and use a descriptive review.
Research the author or main cast.
Develop your opinion about the work.
Use an essay structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.

It is worth highlighting that academic critical reviews must follow certain requirements and... ABNT standards.

As an example of a critical review, we recommend the text by Professor Daniela Diana about the book "Menino Maluquinho" (The Crazy Little Boy).

The review is on the portal. todamateria.com.br. In this post, you will also find more precise tips to help you develop this analysis model; some of the information even served as a reference for this topic.

KNOW ABNT STANDARDS ➔ VIEW REVIEW ➔

# Scientific Review

It's like a critical review, but it's limited to analyzing only texts of a scientific nature. The reviewer's task will be to discuss how the work is distributed and other descriptive information related to it.

This genre is commonly used in academic settings. Criticisms of the work must be well-founded and structured according to scientific parameters and norms.

Scientific reviews should also follow academic style and adhere to ABNT standards.

# Thematic Reviews

This genre can be summarized as the analysis of several works, that is, several texts that discuss the same subject.

To create this type of review, first, introduce the theme. It is essential to show the reader right at the beginning what the subject matter of all the works will be.

The next step is to present a summary of all the texts used in the review. It is very important to create well-organized and structured content to ensure that the reader understands the message.

To make this process easier, you can reserve one or two paragraphs to discuss each text.

Below is an example of a theme for a thematic reviewThis makes it easier to understand the concept.

Is drinking a glass of wine a day bad for your health? Learn about the different opinions of experts on the subject.

This type of review can have different objectives, for example, presenting different points of view on the subject or even showing how certain concepts have evolved over time.

How do you write a review?

Now that you've discovered it What is a review? and the main types. Similarly, it's important to find out How to write a review. with more details.

First, you need to make it clear to the reader what work will be analyzed. Include information such as the title of the work, author, date, etc.

In the next step, you should write the introduction. Provide an initial overview to prepare the audience for what will be discussed in the following lines.

Next, describe the structure of the work. How is it divided, what is the narrative model, textual structure, etc.?

In the following lines, you should present the content and main ideas of the author. Do not offer your critical analysis yet; simply summarize the message of the work in your own words.

Finally, ta-da!… write your critical analysis, if that's the genre of the review.

Reviews are a way to communicate with the public, so it's very important to use certain communication techniques and strategies, for example, thinking about the target audience and the language used.

To wrap things up nicely, you could talk a little about the author and their professional life or other successful projects.

It's important to pay attention to the length of your review. Maintain a balance and don't make anything too long or tiring to follow.

Things to be careful about when writing reviews.

If the review was requested by another person or institution, it is very important to comply with what was requested.

If your task is to write a purely descriptive review, be careful not to include your opinion, as this type of review should not involve value judgments.

Apart from that, as already mentioned, academic reviews must follow certain ABNT requirements and standards.

Furthermore, create a good text structure and organize the ideas so that it is cohesive, coherent, and conveys the message you wish to transmit.

Conclusion

It's very common to identify with only one type of review. And you can use it professionally, in academia, as a hobby, or just to pass the time.

Regardless of your goals, study the main types of reviews individually to see which one or ones you identify with best.

This genre is a great way to exercise your brain, gain more knowledge, and learn how to express yourself.

How about starting by writing a review of a movie, without any commitment, just to see how it performs?

You'll certainly want to do it more often.

This contextual approach is very common in a writer's daily routine. Want to work as a freelance writer? Read the text and find out how.

Nara Sampaio

SEO writer, digital content creator, and virtual assistant. An introvert who found in writing a way to express herself and share knowledge!

November 17, 2022