# Lesson 30: Write reviews of books or movies

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟣 D. Functional Writing

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## Objective

I can write a short review with a hook, a brief summary (no spoilers), a clear opinion, 2–3 reasons with examples, and a simple rating or recommendation.

## Materials

- Book or movie you’ve experienced
- Pencil / keyboard
- Tracing Pad (below) to plan hook, reasons, and rating

Tip: Keep summaries short. Spend most of your words on reasons and examples.

## Mini-lesson — What belongs in a review?

1. Hook: Grab attention. Example: If you like clever twists, this book is for you!
2. Short summary (no spoilers): Who and what it’s about in 1–2 lines.
3. Opinion: Say what you think: I recommend it / It wasn’t for me.
4. Reasons + examples: Acting, plot, humor, characters, artwork, music, pacing, message.
5. Rating/Recommendation: Stars, thumbs up, or “Who would enjoy this?”

Video won’t be included when printing.

## Guided Practice — Plan your review

Choose a favorite book or movie. Plan your review:

- Hook words: exciting, thoughtful, hilarious, action-packed
- Summary: hero’s goal + main problem (1–2 lines)
- Reasons: strong characters • clear message • great music/illustrations
- Examples: name one scene or page (no spoilers)
- Rating: ★★★★☆ and who should read/watch it

Tracing Pad
Lines
Letter
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Build clear review lines

Drag the chips into the slots to form helpful review sentences. Keep punctuation at the end.

If you love mysteries this book will hook you.
The story follows a brave kid who solves a town secret.
I recommend it because the characters feel real.
For example the best friend changes in a surprising way.
The movie has bright animation and fun music.
Some parts are slow but the ending is worth it.
I would give it four out of five stars.
Readers who enjoy adventures will like this story.
Keep spoilers out so new readers have fun discoveries.
Because the theme is kindness the message is strong.
The pace stays exciting without being confusing.
Overall I recommend this to grades three and up.

## Quick Check (15 questions)

#### 1) Which part should be short in a review?

reasons and examples summary (no spoilers) rating

#### 2) A helpful review must include…

the entire plot only emojis an opinion with reasons

#### 3) Which is a good hook?

If you like heroes who never quit, try this! This is a thing. The cover shows colors.

#### 4) Pick the best reason for a positive review.

I read it yesterday. The characters grow and learn from mistakes. The book has pages.

#### 5) Which sentence avoids spoilers?

The secret villain is Mr. L— In the final scene the hero— The ending ties the clues together in a smart way.

#### 6) Which word links a reason to an example?

for example above yesterday

#### 7) A rating helps readers…

know the author’s address quickly see how strong your recommendation is skip your opinion

#### 8) Which is a clear opinion?

The movie exists. The cover is blue. I recommend this movie to families.

#### 9) A review’s summary should tell…

who/what it’s about in 1–2 lines every detail of every scene nothing about the story

#### 10) Which detail supports a review about great humor?

The book has chapters. I laughed out loud when the robot learned to tell jokes. The author wrote other books.

#### 11) Which order makes sense?

Reasons → Hook → Rating → Summary Rating → Summary → Opinion → Reasons Hook → Summary → Opinion → Reasons + Examples → Rating

#### 12) A review should consider the audience, which means…

who might enjoy it where the author lives how long your pencil is

#### 13) Which sentence is strongest for a negative review?

It is a movie. The plot was confusing, so I lost interest halfway through. The poster is shiny.

#### 14) Which keeps the tone respectful?

This book is garbage. The author should stop writing. Some readers may enjoy the slow pace, but I didn’t.

#### 15) Best closing line for a review:

★★★★☆ — Add it to your reading list! There are letters in the title. The library is far away.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Hook + short summary (no spoilers) Clear opinion 2–3 reasons with examples Respectful tone and audience awareness Simple rating/recommendation

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write a balanced review with reasons and examples 🙂 I need more practice adding examples without spoilers 😅 I’m unsure how to choose a fair rating

#### I will practice…

Writing stronger hooks Explaining reasons with “for example” Choosing a clear rating
Lesson 31 →