Your second, personal blog post

Now that (most of) you have posted your first, professional post we're going to move to the second blog post, which should be of a more personal nature, specifically a review. Read on to find out what you can review and how to go about it.

Topics 

A review means you should describe something AND give your opinion - think of the kind of reviews you find on TripAdvisor (hotels or tourist attractions) or Amazon (products / consumer goods).

Here are some suggested topics and things you can review in your post:

• The book I am reading and would like to recommend 
• A product you use on a regular basis 
• My favourite album/CD A recent event in your town/city (e.g. concert, exhibition) 
• A play / show you’ve been to recently 
• A restaurant / hotel My favourite dish / film / colour / time of year - the list goes on… 

Structure 

Title  

The title should accurately sum up the contents of your post; a catchy title is an added bonus. 

Your review should contain at least 4 paragraphs: 

Introduction 
You want to capture the readers’ interest. Use an exciting opening sentence. 

Body 1
Focus one one aspect, e.g. what you liked about it.

Body 2
Focus on another aspect, e.g. what you didn’t like about it or how it's different to other albums / films (of this genre) / products etc. 

Conclusion/Summary 
Sum up the main points. Clearly state your opinion or the reasons why you recommend it.

Technicalities

How long should it be? approximately 250 words (like the first post)

Should I use formal language? It is advisable to use semi-formal/informal register

Can I use subheadings or bullet points? You can use headings if you like, but not bullet points, as these will not allow you to show your ability to use linking words (e.g. In addition) and other cohesive features (e.g. Another reason why...)

We look forward to reading your reviews!