Blogcritics Comments on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Comment by Miss Cordy on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:47:50 EDT

I like this a lot, Jonathan. I think you hit on all of the major aspects of writing a review. I know I have a problem with being a bit too flowery when writing reviews (I used to write movie and TV reviews for my local newspaper), so I'm trying really hard to get better. Your piece will help me with that, so thanks! Of course, if you want to add a bunch of extra stuff, you'd probably prefer writing recaps rather than strict reviews, which is what I'm trying.

Comment by Mark Saleski on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:29:49 EDT

Don't write about yourself; it's about the band, book, movie or whatever you're reviewing. BLASPHEMY!!! ;-) seriously though (and gees pico, thanks for the kind words), look at somebody like Lester Bangs. i mean, not only did he sometimes write about himself, he wrote about...well, at times i didn't know what the hell he was getting at! this isn't to say that i write the way i do because of Bangs, it just feels natural to me. i'm sure there are people out there who don't like it. so be it. i can't please everybody.

Comment by Pico on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:29:57 EDT

so says Ray Ellis: "On the other hand, I see nothing wrong with peppering a piece with personal experience when appropriate. It makes the review more personable, and makes the reader feel like the reviewer is an okay guy, rather than an elitist foaming at the mouth." I agree with this statement. Go read Mark Saleski's reviews, he does this all the time. They make his articles more like reading a story, and judging from the comments he gets, readers respond positively to that. His latest article, published yesterday, barely mentions the Rush record he reviewed but the conversation he instigated is lively and very much on topic. In my opinion (I know, I know), #4 should be "don't write about yourself, *unless* you can effectively relate your personal experience to the subject matter." Aside from that, I think the tips were quite useful. I'll keep these in mind for my own writings. Thanks.

Comment by Ray Ellis on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:33:45 EDT

Agreed, Matt. I've said this before, but you should strike "in my opinion" from your vocabulary--and not just in reviews. The phrase is either apologetic, showing your own insecurities--or condescending, as if you're talking down to your audience. They already know it's your opinion! On the other hand, I see nothing wrong with peppering a piece with personal experience when appropriate. It makes the review more personable, and makes the reader feel like the reviewer is an okay guy, rather than an elitist foaming at the mouth.

Comment by Matt Paprocki on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:31:34 EDT

"A good rule of thumb is to try not to say "I" at all." Yes, thank you. Nothing irritates me more than when I see "In my opinion" or "I felt" when reading a review. Do we not know that these are your personal thoughts from the word "review" in the title?

Comment by Heather Ames on Ten Secrets of Writing Reviews That Keep Readers Coming Back

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:18:15 EDT

Lots of good advice, Jonathan. I'd better take one last look at my latest review to see if I stepped into any of the pitfalls you listed.