Mastering C2 Proficiency (CPE) Writing: The Review

The Review is a versatile task in the C2 Proficiency Writing paper (Part 2). It allows for personal opinion, descriptive language, and a wide range of vocabulary. Here is how to write a top-scoring review.

1. Know Your Audience

Reviews are usually written for a magazine, newspaper, or website. The tone should be engaging and interesting. Unlike an essay, you can (and should) use the first person ("I"). Connect with the reader.

2. Structure is Crucial

Don't just ramble. A standard structure might look like this:

• Title: Catchy and relevant.
• Introduction: Hook the reader, state what you are reviewing, and give a brief verdict.
• Body Paragraph 1 (Description): Describe the plot/restaurant/event/item. Keep it brief; don't retell the whole story.
• Body Paragraph 2 (Analysis - Pros): What was good? Use descriptive adjectives (breathtaking, compelling, innovative).
• Body Paragraph 3 (Analysis - Cons): What was lacking? Be critical but balanced (underwhelming, predictable, lackluster).
• Conclusion: Summarize your thoughts and give a clear recommendation (Who is this for? Is it worth the money?).

3. Use Advanced Vocabulary

C2 is about showing off what you know.
Instead of saying "The movie was good", say: "The film was a cinematic masterpiece."
Instead of "The book was boring", say: "The narrative was tedious and uninspired."

4. The Recommendation

Don't forget to recommend (or not recommend) the subject of your review. "I would strictly recommend this to fans of sci-fi, but others might find it impenetrable."