Register: Informal/neutral Forms and conventions:

Use: all your colourful vocabulary: Title: for films/books/restaurants use the name/title or if think up
Phrasal verbs/idioms/impressive collocations. an imaginative title using an idiom/expression.
Planning, 6 step system: Introduction:
1. Read task, underline content points. Personal anecdote to grab attention. Introduce name of book/film,
2. Divide content points into paragraphs: Intro, décor, restaurant + location, course, TV show etc.
ambiance, service, food, recommendation. Seldom do I find the time to…, however when I do take time out of
3. WHAT do you want to say? Add your notes to each my hectic schedule, I like nothing more than…
paragraph in simple form. Being a bit of a film buff/book worm/foody, the news that … had
4. HOW are you going to say that? Brainstorm advanced opened a new restaurant/released a new film/book had me itching
grammar and vocabulary for each note. to try/see/read it. So last week I popped down with a friend to
5. Forms and conventions: Title paragraph titles, fixed check it out.
introduction. Having never seen/read/tried… before I approached … with a sense
6. Write! Remember word limit is: 280-320 of trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Soon however, all my
fears were allayed.
Book reviews: Film/TV reviews:
Vocab to describe the book in general: General:
a page-turner / a white-knuckle ride / a tearjerker / a laugh a minute An all-star cast
/ I couldn't put it down. heavily influenced by the films of..
Vocab to describe specific parts: glowing reviews
a slow start / a gentle introduction /gripping climax / nail-biting startling originality
conclusion / cliff-hanger ending/ a shocking twist in the tail suspense builds up
Setting: a polished performance
The book is set in _______(place/time) a bold experiment
The action takes place in ______ (place/time) an accomplished actor
the present day (now) an unmitigated disaster (bad film)
an alternate reality where vampires / wizards walk the earth a dazzling display of his/her talents
a sleepy village in the USA made a lasting impression on me.
the bustling city of New York Brought a tear to my eye
Plot: Like watching paint dry (boring)
The plot centres around / focuses on (the adventures / lives of I was on the edge of my seat (exciting)
_________) A blockbuster (big commercial film eg Superman)
The plot follows the adventures of _________(character name) … sets off an amazing chain of events
Characters: Gripping film (exciting)
Villain / hero / heroine / anti-hero / main character / protagonist The director/author evoked a magical atmosphere
The characters are believable / well-crafted / a bit 2 dimensional. … awakened my interest in…
Hold my attention
Capture the audience’s imagination.
Spectacular set-pieces (main action scenes)
… is cast in the role of…
… is miscast in the role of…
…gives a(n) (un)convincing performance as…
The film is let down by a clichéd script.
Restaurant review: Restaurants cont.
Make a pig of one’s self
Hearty meal A plate piled high with.. To feast/gorge on (eat a lot of)
Wholesome food Mouth-watering To eat/drink to your heart’s content
Piping-hot To die for Devour/gobble up
Succulent/juicy (meat) Heavenly Savour
Creamy To lick your lips in Nibble
With a kick (spicy) anticipation Bite
Crunchy/crispy Roast Lick
Well-seasoned Pan-fried Aromas wafting from the kitchen
Packed with flavour Grilled Cheap – economical/reasonably-priced
A steaming plate of.. Steamed Expensive – pricey/costs an arm and a leg
Hungry/starving/ravenous/famished Freshly-baked €20 a head (per person)
Bustling eatery(restaurant)
Lively atmosphere
Service with a smile
Killer Lines: Grammar check list
Were I to sum up … in one word, it would be… Have you included?
… left a lot to be desired (wasn’t good enough)  An inversion (not only/no sooner/seldom)
…more than lives up to the hype (is as good as everyone says it is)  An inverted conditional (Were we to…)
… is by far and away the best … you’re likely to … this year  A participle clause (Being…/Having gone…)
… really raises the bar (sets a higher standard)  A double comparative (The more we… the more)
… sets the benchmark for other (others will be judges against how  A cleft sentence (What is most crucial is…)
good it is)  Idioms
… ticks all the right boxes  Phrasal verbs
… holds up well in comparison with …
…comes off badly in comparison with …