From books to movies, from plumbers to hotels, reviewing a product or service is a useful skill. Reviews allow a consumer to share their views on any experience. Readers can learn from this to make an informed decision when deciding whether to try a product or service.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Test the Product or Service
Step 1. Try the product or service
To write a review, you need to test it. It will seem obvious, but many still write reviews without having more than a lot of first-hand knowledge. Try it out, take your time, and get to know it well enough to be able to talk about it with knowledge.
Step 2. Take notes
Collect all the details you will need to write the review. For example, if you are talking about a restaurant, write down the names and ingredients of the dishes you are tasting. Take note of the decor. Write the waiter's name.
Step 3. Take photographs
In some cases, the review can be enhanced by images. Document your experience by taking photos so your readers know what you mean when you say, "There was a huge stain on the ceiling in my hotel room."
Part 2 of 4: Structuring the Review
Step 1. Find out about the parameters of the review
If you're going to post a review on a certain site, blog, or newspaper, make sure you know all the specific details required for the piece. For example, there may be a specific word limit or format.
Also inquire about the expiration date, especially if the review is about a product put on the market in a certain period, such as a movie, an album or a book. The piece should coincide with the release of these products
Step 2. Establish your point of view
Each review takes on a particular perspective. After all, you have to make an argument in this piece. Determine how you want to talk about the product or service. Will it be a positive or a negative review? What are you waiting for?
This works particularly well for reviewing a book or movie, as you may want to pick a specific theme and base the piece on that topic
Step 3. Know the audience
Think about the people who will read the review. Will you be writing for a heavy metal music blog and your readers already know about different bands and songs? Will you write a technical review and will readers understand the jargon you include in it?
If you are writing for a general audience, remember that some readers will need more explanation on certain references or terms you use
Part 3 of 4: Writing the Review
Step 1. Briefly describe the product or service
In a couple of sentences, or less, describe the product or service you intend to review. You will reveal more details throughout the piece, but the introduction will allow the reader to get a feel for the subject.
If it's a movie or book, don't dedicate the entire review to the plot summary. It is useless to tell the whole story. A brief general overview of one or two sentences is enough
Step 2. Write in detail
Offer numerous details and evidence to support your argument. If you're reviewing a music album, talk about the instruments or singing of a certain track. If you're reviewing a film, talk about why the director's technique is groundbreaking and give examples from the work.
Step 3. Use complete sentences
If you write complete sentences, instead of snippets that will leave the reader in doubt, the review will have a lot more depth. Don't use expressions like "acceptable food, bad service". This doesn't communicate anything specific to the public, so it doesn't allow you to write a helpful review.
Step 4. Include meaningful adjectives
Avoid using expressions like "I don't know", "passable" or "ok". They are not very useful for describing a product or service. If you want to make a compelling review that allows the reader to get an idea of your experience, choose more specific words.
Step 5. Customize the review
Link it directly to your personal experience. Don't use vague statements and generalizations. People who read it will want to know about your experience in order to determine if they would like to use a certain product or service. Tell a story to explain why you like going to a particular venue or think a garden service company is trustworthy.
Step 6. Compare this product or service to its competitors
Think about the market position it takes in comparison to other products or services. You should definitely review it on its merits, but readers of the piece will find it helpful to have a comparison with a restaurant they know. In this way, the comparison, and therefore the consequent decision to try a product or a service, becomes easier for the public.
Step 7. Include a sample
If possible, give the reader a taste of what you've tried. This could be a photo of a dish you've eaten, a link to a movie trailer, or snippets of a song from an album you're reviewing.
Step 8. Be honest
The review has to be honest. Don't lie just to be consistent with your argument, whether your opinion is positive or negative. Don't invent information or exaggerate to support your point of view. If you don't have enough evidence to support a certain point, don't put it in the piece.
Step 9. Offer a fair review
You may have had a horrible experience with a certain plumber, but balance his mistakes with the correct repairs he made. If a meal was excellent despite a glass showing traces of dirt, name this negative. People find reviews that admit both good and bad sides more credible.
Step 10. Be creative and interesting
The best reviews are the ones that drag the reader and engage him fully. Write in an imaginative way that captures the essence of the product or service you're reviewing.
Some reviews are written in an unusual way, for example in the form of poetry or haiku. Others are ironic and communicate opinions in a humorous way
Step 11. Add goodies to the review
Include information that a reader would not be able to find by visiting the company's website or watching an advertisement. Provide data or details that can only be discovered by using the product or service.
Part 4 of 4: Concluding the Review
Step 1. The review should be clear and concise
Don't overdo it with praise or excessive criticism. Eliminate irrelevant words so that the meaning of the piece is understandable.
Step 2. Correct the review
Take your time to reread the text thoroughly, and check its grammar and spelling. If the piece is full of grammatical errors that make reading difficult, readers will not consider it.
Step 3. Ask someone else to read it
Before posting it online or printing it, invite someone to read the review. This step is very helpful in making sure the writing is clear and the main points properly argued.
Step 4. Publish your review
If you are going to publish it in a magazine, blog or other source, send it to the editor. In this case, it will be read by whoever is responsible, so it may take some time before it is printed or posted online.
