The review: A review (la reseña) is a text that describes and then judges something, and ends with a recommendation.
In the exam
- You can review a film, a book, a series, a restaurant, a concert.
- In Paper 1 you choose it when the task asks you to evaluate something and say whether you'd recommend it.
- It's part of Unit 2: Text Types: the marks come from getting its conventions and register right (Criterion C).
- That means the lively, opinionated voice and the describe-then-evaluate shape.
- la reseña
- the review
- la valoración
- the evaluation / appraisal
- la recomendación
- the recommendation
- los puntos fuertes / débiles
- the strengths / weaknesses
- el tono entusiasta
- a lively, enthusiastic tone
- sin destripar el final
- without spoiling the ending
Spot it in the task: The task asks you to judge and recommend. "Escribe una reseña de una película…", "Recomienda un libro a los lectores de una revista…" → a review. If it only asked you to tell a friend your news, you'd write an informal email instead. Look for the words reseña, valora or recomienda.
Tasks where it fits
- Reviewing a play, a film or a hotel for other people
- Assessing an exhibition or a course for a website
- Reviewing a book you propose as book of the month
Conventions the examiner checks
- A title and the basic facts: what, who, where
- A description without the whole plot
- A judgement, a rating and a recommendation
Traps that cost Criterion C
- Retelling the whole story
- Only praise, no criticism
- No recommendation at the end
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Evaluative and engaging: Write in a lively first person: describe the work, then give your own opinion and a clear recommendation.
How to sound evaluative
- Use opinion verbs.
- Use evaluative adjectives.
- Add a little enthusiasm.
- Consistency matters — a flat, purely factual summary with no judgement reads like a report, not a review, and costs you Criterion C.
Review — do this
- Acabo de ver una película que me ha encantado.
- Lo mejor es el guion; lo único que falla es el ritmo.
- La recomiendo sobre todo a…
Avoid here
- La película dura 110 minutos. (solo datos)
- Estimado señor: Le escribo para…
- No diré si me gustó.
Stay consistent: Keep an evaluative, first-person voice from the title to the recommendation. Address the reader with tú if you address them at all (no te la pierdas) — never mix tú and vosotros in the same review.
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The five parts: Every review follows the same describe-then-judge shape. Hit all five parts and you've covered the conventions the examiner is looking for.
Review — 5 parts
1
Title
A short, catchy title that hints at your verdict. Una comedia que merece la pena
2
What it is
Name the work and the basics: type, who made it, when. Acabo de ver…, una comedia dirigida por…
3
Description
Briefly say what it's about — without spoilers. Trata de… sin destripar el final…
4
Evaluation
Your verdict: the strengths and one weakness. Lo mejor es… Lo único que falla es…
5
Recommendation
Who you'd recommend it to, and how strongly. La recomiendo (sobre todo) a…
Title → What it is → Description → Evaluation → Recommendation
Don't skip the verdict: Students lose easy Criterion C marks by describing the work but never judging it or saying who they'd recommend it to. The opinion and the recommendation are what make it a review — never leave them out.
A model, part by part: Here's a complete review built from the five parts above. Read it once for the message, then tap Ver traducción to check the English or the audio button to hear it.
Modelo: las 5 partes en acción
La reseña escrita, parte por parte
- Reseña: El último verano, una comedia que merece la pena
- Acabo de ver El último verano, una comedia española dirigida por Marta Lillo y estrenada este año.
- La película trata de cuatro amigos que pasan sus últimas vacaciones juntos antes de ir a la universidad; sin destripar el final, las cosas no salen como ellos esperaban.
- Lo mejor es el guion: los diálogos son divertidos y muy realistas, y los actores están fantásticos. Lo único que falla es el ritmo, porque la parte central se hace un poco larga.
- En definitiva, la recomiendo, sobre todo a quienes disfrutan de las comedias con corazón. ¡No te la pierdas!
Por qué puntúa — why it scores: This short review earns marks on all three Paper 1 criteria — here's how:
A — Language /12
- Evaluative adjectives: divertidos, realistas, fantásticos
- Connectors: porque, sobre todo, en definitiva
- Correct verbs (acabo de ver, trata de, recomiendo)
B — Message /12
- Clear purpose: describes AND judges AND recommends
- Ideas developed (a strength and a weakness, with reasons)
C — Conceptual /6
- Review conventions: describe → evaluate → recommend
- Lively, first-person evaluative voice
- No spoilers; a clear final recommendation
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A toolkit you can reuse: Learn a few ready-made phrases for each part. They make your review sound natural and save time in the exam. Tap the audio button to hear them.
Para presentar (introducing the work)
- Acabo de ver/leer… — I have just seen/read…
- Trata de… — It is about…
- Está dirigida/escrita por… — It is directed/written by…
Para valorar (giving your verdict)
- Lo mejor es… — The best thing is…
- Lo único que falla es… — The only thing that lets it down is…
- Me ha encantado / me ha decepcionado un poco — I loved it / it disappointed me a little
Para recomendar (recommending)
- La recomiendo (sobre todo) a… — I recommend it (especially) to…
- En definitiva, merece la pena. — All in all, it's worth it.
- ¡No te la pierdas! — Don't miss it!
Use one from each: One phrase to present the work, one or two to judge it (a strength and a weakness), and one to recommend it is plenty — and instantly makes the text feel like a real review.