Rachel Summers
With TV making so many high quality shows these days, reviewing them can seem like an impossible task. How do you write a review that tells the reader what they need to know, but keep them entertained by reading the review itself? There are tips that will help you do this. Here’s some of the best methods, used by professional writers, that you can put to use yourself.
What Makes A Good Review
Before you write anything, you need to know what makes a good review. What are readers looking for when they read your review? Mostly, they want to know if the TV show you’re reviewing is worth their time. Do they want to invest hours into a show that they may not enjoy after all? Your review has got to tell them what it’s all about, and whether it’s worth their time.
As well of that, of course, it’s got to be entertaining. You can certainly add in your own personality, to ensure that the review doesn’t become dry or dull. “A TV review is just one part of a site, and you want readers to stick around to see what you write next” says professional content writer Annette Saunders from Revieweal. “Be yourself in your review, and talk directly to the reader.”
Summarize The Plot
First of all, in any review you’re going to need to summarize the plot of the show. This is an art, as you want to tell the reader what happens, without spoiling any major plot points for them. This is especially true if you’ve been given a whole season, or at least a few episodes, to watch.
The best way to do this is to give readers the set up to the show. For example, if you’re reviewing Game Of Thrones, you may quickly sketch out the main premise of the show (several characters competing to take the throne of Westeros) and show some of the main characters. This gives readers an idea of what the show’s about, without ruining anything for them.
Evaluate The Script
A big part of what makes a TV show good is how the script works on screen. How is the writing? Are the characters believable? Does the dialogue flow well, or does it feel clunky? When you really pay attention to how the show is written, you’ll see a lot of evidence to whether it’s worth the reader’s time.
Look At The Producer’s Past Work
When it comes to major TV shows, you’ll find that there are usually big names behind them. Take a look at who’s behind the show you’re reviewing. Readers will find it interesting to see who helped create it, as it will give them an idea for the feel and quality of the show. You can bring this up by examining how a show fits into a producer’s current body of work. You can also point it out if they have a cult status amongst a certain demographic. For example, Firefly was hugely popular with sci-fi fans, as it was written by Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Examine The Acting
Of course, the actors in a TV show will carry a lot of meaning for you as a reviewer. Look at them, and what they’re providing to the show. Do they really embody the characters they’re playing? How do they interact with each other? Good actor can really elevate a TV show, so point out your feelings on this score.
Technicalities Of Writing
Of course, a good review isn’t all about what you write about, it’s how you write it too. You need to write professionally, so readers will keep coming back to get your opinion.
A good review will be fair, well structured, and give a definite opinion. Many reviewers choose to state their opinion in the headline, so readers will come in to see why they feel a certain way.
Once you’ve written it, ensure that you’re proofreading and editing it before the post goes live. Even the smallest error can cause a lot of issues later on down the line, and you want to avoid that. Give yourself enough time to edit your post thoroughly.
With these tips, you’ll be able to write engaging TV reviews that will entertain and inform your audience every time. Use them when you’re writing and you’ll be able to keep your readers coming back for your opinions on the latest TV shows and other forms of entertainment out there.
Rachel Summers is a writer and educator living and working in the UK. She specialises in working with students to help them get the most out of their education, both in and out of the classroom. Read Rachel’s blog for more tips and links to helpful writing services.