May 19, 2003 12:17 AM
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(Updated May 19, 2003 12:17 AM)
Although I don't consider myself great enough to advice others how to go about writing reviews, I do think I would like to share a few things I've learnt with experience.
Before I begin, a word of thanks and appreciation to all those who've made it possible for me to pursue my passion of writing and their support. Thanks people!
The Basics::
Face it - writing doesn't come from the brain. It comes from the heart. When you write, more than what you 'know' its important what you 'have to say'. Your opinion is what counts rather than what already exists. Simply saying, no one will read your review on Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham if you're telling them Kareena Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan are lovers in the movie. Why they will read it is because you have your opinion on the entire movie, which of course is, that such a movie is a kalank on the Indian Cinema.
Clarity of Thought & Expression::
No one will read your review if you yourself don't know what you're talking about. What you want to say should be etched inside your heart so that you can write it with passion. If you're writing on a restaurant, you should decide first whether the food was good or bad. I've read reviews which start with how incredible the food was, and end with how terrible it really was. Decide what you want to say, and then say it loud and clear.
Proper Grammar and Good English::
No one has to be Shakespeare (or LimeIce) to write good reviews. You can be modest in your language but grammar ranks very high. You must know your grammar well before you let your thoughts out. No one will embarass you for wrongly put fragments, but you will highly distort the entire pleasure of reading your review. Extremes are bad, of course. Highly sophisticated english too cannot reach out to everyone and only a chosen few can comprehend your thoughts. Staying in the mean is the key to successful reviews, my friend.
Proper Formatting::
I love few reviews, but I leave reading them halfway because I just can't read paragraphs and paragraphs. It bores me to a great extent. You must classify your review under proper headings so that a person feels interested going through it. Your reader needs to feel relaxed and at ease while reading your review. Not just reading paragraphs of words and sentences which come randomly.
Stick to the topic::
Why, when writing on the movie 'Road', did maximum people end up writing on Antara Mali's belly button? Hey, no offence, I have nothing against her to-die-for figure, but 'scuse me, weren't we talking about the movie? WHy am I reading your review if I don't want to know how good or bad is Road? I can just look it up under Antara Mali if I want to read opinions on her bod. Stick to what you're meant to say. Don't wander off in unwanted directions until its absolutely necessary to.
Mirch Masala::
Your every review should reflect your originality. Why should anyone read a review that says exactly what someone else says. You must spice it up, in your own way to make it original. Add humor, add interest, make it a piece people would love to read again. And again. And again.
What is your Opinion?::
I don't want to know if your friend used the new perfume in town and loved it. I want to know if you loved it. I want to know what you loved about it. Because I know you. Because you're a part of a community I trust. Stick to what you have to say, others are insignificant for the reader.
Conclusion::
You must try and end your review with a conclusion. A small summary of 30 words for people who just want to know what you're saying. Sometimes, you may make your idea very clear by adding a conclusion in the end. Your entire 1000 words may not send the message across, what those 30 can. Never be a miser with words. They come free.
Don't write reviews because you don't have anything better to do. Write them, because you don't consider anything else better. Don't care for what others have to say, for in here, what matters is - what you think. So open that mouth wide open guys, coz Your Opinions Matter!
