Education Universe Argument Writing, College Courses, Research Writing

Understanding Reviews: How They Work and Why They Matter

Reviews are one of the most common forms of writing we encounter in daily life. Whether you are browsing movie ratings, checking book suggestions, exploring product comparisons, or researching academic techniques, reviews shape what we think and what we choose. While some reviews are casual and opinion-based, others are carefully structured arguments built to inform, persuade, or evaluate. This week, we are focusing on how to read reviews critically, how to understand their structure, and how to identify what makes them effective.

What Is a Review?

At its core, a review is a type of argument. It presents a clear opinion about a subject and supports that opinion with evidence and reasoning. The goal of a review is not only to express a personal reaction but also to evaluate something based on specific standards or criteria. A strong review does not just say what the reviewer liked or disliked. It explains why those reactions are valid and meaningful, using a mix of description, analysis, and judgment.

The Purpose of a Review

Reviews serve different purposes depending on the context. Some reviews are written to help an audience make a decision. Others aim to start a conversation, analyze a cultural trend, or assess the value of a method or theory. Regardless of the goal, a review must do more than summarize. It must interpret and evaluate. Good reviews tell the reader what is at stake. They offer insight, not just opinion.

Common Types of Reviews

Understanding the type of review you are reading can help you focus on what matters most in the content. Here are some of the most common types you may come across.

Film Review

A film review typically appears in newspapers, blogs, or entertainment websites. It evaluates a movie by looking at elements such as plot, character development, acting, cinematography, direction, pacing, and emotional impact. A strong film review provides enough summary to orient the reader but focuses mainly on analysis and judgment.

The tone can vary from casual to professional, but the best film reviews are grounded in clear standards. For example, a reviewer might argue that a film fails because it relies on clichés, or that it succeeds because of innovative editing and bold storytelling. The review should support these claims with specific examples from the film.

Book Review

A book review may be written for a general audience or for an academic setting. It goes beyond summarizing the plot or content. A strong book review examines themes, structure, character development, writing style, and the author’s purpose. In academic contexts, book reviews often place the book within a larger conversation. They may compare it to other works in the same field, question the author’s approach, or analyze how effectively the book meets its goals.

Good book reviews balance description and evaluation. They tell the reader what the book is about, who it is for, and whether it succeeds at what it tries to do.

Review of a Method

In academic and professional settings, you may encounter reviews of methods or processes. These reviews evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a specific approach, such as a teaching strategy, research method, or design process. The goal is not just to describe how the method works, but to assess its effectiveness, efficiency, and applicability.

For example, a review of a scientific method might discuss how well it controls variables, how replicable it is, and how it compares to other methods in the same field. A review of a writing strategy might evaluate its usefulness for different kinds of students. Like other reviews, reviews of methods rely on clear criteria and thoughtful analysis.

Other Common Reviews

You might also see reviews of performances, restaurants, video games, exhibitions, products, or apps. Each type of review has its own set of expectations and standards. For instance, a restaurant review might focus on service, atmosphere, flavor, and price. A game review might discuss gameplay mechanics, design, graphics, story, and user experience.

Whatever the subject, the underlying principles are the same. The reviewer should state a clear judgment, use relevant criteria, and support the evaluation with evidence and examples.

Key Features of an Effective Review

To understand reviews well, it helps to break them down into key components. These features are often found across all types of reviews.

  1. Clear Claim or Judgment
    • Every review needs a central judgment. This is the main argument the reviewer is making about the subject. For example, the reviewer might claim that a film is a fresh take on the genre, that a book fails to develop its themes, or that a teaching method is outdated. This central claim guides the rest of the review.
  2. Evaluation Criteria
    • Criteria are the standards the reviewer uses to assess the subject. These might be explicit or implied, but they are always present. For example, a reviewer might judge a novel based on character depth, plot structure, and writing style. A review of a restaurant might judge food quality, service, and ambiance. Choosing the right criteria is crucial to writing a fair and thoughtful review.
  3. Evidence and Examples
    • A good review supports its evaluation with concrete examples. Instead of simply saying a film is boring, a reviewer might describe how long scenes drag on without advancing the plot. If a product is unreliable, the review might include specific examples of when it failed. Evidence builds trust and shows that the review is based on careful observation, not just gut reaction.
  4. Awareness of Audience
    • Strong reviews consider who the audience is. A film review written for teenagers will sound different from one written for film scholars. A review of a textbook for college students will differ from a review of a picture book for parents. The tone, vocabulary, and depth of analysis should match the needs and expectations of the intended readers.
  5. Balanced Tone
    • A review does not have to be neutral, but it should be fair. Even when a reviewer is critical, they should acknowledge what works or recognize the intentions behind the subject. A balanced tone builds credibility and shows that the writer is thoughtful rather than biased.

Reading Reviews Critically

When reading a review, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is the main claim or judgment?
  • What criteria does the reviewer use?
  • Are those criteria appropriate for the subject?
  • Does the reviewer support their judgment with examples?
  • How does the tone affect your trust in the reviewer?
  • What does the review assume about its audience?

These questions help you move beyond surface reading. Instead of just agreeing or disagreeing with the review, you begin to see how it is built and how it tries to influence its readers.

The Role of Bias and Perspective

All reviews reflect a point of view. Reviewers bring their tastes, experiences, and values to what they write. That is not a problem by itself. In fact, point of view is part of what makes a review interesting. The key is whether the reviewer is honest about that perspective and whether they support their judgment with evidence.

For example, a reviewer might dislike a film because of personal taste but still recognize its artistic strengths. A book reviewer might disagree with the author’s politics but still praise the quality of the writing. The goal is not to eliminate bias but to be aware of it and stay fair in spite of it.

Conclusion

Reviews are more than opinions. They are structured arguments built on careful analysis, clear criteria, and thoughtful evidence. Whether you are reading a film review, a book review, or an academic evaluation of a method, your job as a reader is to recognize how the writer makes their case. Look for the claim, the criteria, the evidence, and the tone. Pay attention to how the review speaks to its audience and what it assumes about their values or knowledge.

Understanding the mechanics behind this common but powerful form of writing will strengthen your ability to argue, persuade, and communicate with purpose.

Works Cited

Giltrow, Janet, Richard Gooding, Daniel Burgoyne, and Marlene Sawatsky. Academic Writing: An Introduction. 3rd ed., Broadview Press, 2014.

Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 9th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2021.

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). “Writing a Book Review.” Purdue University, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/book_reviews.html. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.

Education Universe College writing, Drama

🎭 So You’re Reading a Play or a Script—Now What?

If you’ve ever read a novel, you already know how stories are told on the page: chapters, paragraphs, narration, dialogue. But what happens when stories are told through performance? That’s where plays and film scripts come in—and they do things a little differently.

Reading a play or screenplay for the first time can feel strange. Where’s the narrator? Why are there so many names in capital letters? And what’s up with all the stage directions? Don’t worry—we’re about to break it down together.

What Is a Play, Really?

Let’s start with plays. A play is a story meant to be performed on a stage by actors in front of a live audience. Instead of using long descriptions or inner thoughts like a novel, a play relies on dialogue and action. That means every word you read is either something a character says or a direction for how something should happen on stage.

The Core Ingredients of a Play:

  • Characters: These are the people in the story. Each one has a unique voice, purpose, and relationships with others.
  • Dialogue: This is the heart of the play. It’s how characters talk, argue, love, and lie. There’s no narrator explaining what’s happening, so we learn everything through what characters say and do.
  • Stage Directions: These are short descriptions (usually in italics or parentheses) that tell actors what to do. They might say things like (She crosses the room) or (A door slams offstage).
  • Acts and Scenes: Plays are typically divided into acts (like chapters) and scenes (smaller segments within acts). Each act might jump to a new location, time, or focus on a different moment in the story.

Types of Plays

Plays come in many flavors. Here are a few common ones:

  • Tragedy: A serious play that usually ends in heartbreak or disaster. Think Romeo and Juliet or Death of a Salesman.
  • Comedy: Light-hearted, often ending happily, and filled with misunderstandings, witty banter, and sometimes slapstick. Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a good example.
  • Drama: These plays fall somewhere between comedy and tragedy, focusing on realistic characters and emotional themes. A Raisin in the Sun and Fences are classics in this category.
  • Farce: An exaggerated comedy that’s all about silly situations, mistaken identity, and physical humor. Think Noises Off or The Play That Goes Wrong.
  • Musicals: Plays where part of the storytelling happens through song and dance. The script for a musical includes lyrics and stage directions for choreography.

What’s a Script? (And How’s It Different?)

A script for a film or TV show is similar to a play in many ways—it’s also a story told through dialogue and action—but it’s written with the camera in mind.

Scripts are meant for film production, not the stage, so they include lots of directions for camera movement, scene transitions, and visual storytelling.

Key Features of a Film Script:

  • Sluglines: These are headers that show the location and time of day. They usually look like:
    INT. KITCHEN – DAY
    That means the scene takes place inside a kitchen during the day.
  • Action Lines: These describe what’s happening visually. Unlike plays, film scripts often give more detailed instructions for what we’re supposed to see.
    For example:
    John opens the fridge. He stares at a carton of milk, suspicious.
  • Dialogue: Just like in plays, this is where the characters speak. It’s centered on the page with the character’s name above.
  • Parentheticals: These give little cues about how a line should be delivered:
    SARAH (sarcastic) or MARK (whispers)

Major Differences Between Plays and Scripts

FeaturePlaysFilm Scripts
SettingLimited by stage spaceCan change frequently, any place
AudienceLive audience in real-timeWatched on screen, edited
DescriptionsMinimal; relies on performanceDetailed for filming needs
TimeOften continuousCan jump between times/scenes
Technical LanguageLightHeavy with camera and editing info

In short: plays focus more on performance, while scripts focus on visual storytelling.

Tips for Reading Plays and Scripts (Without Getting Lost)

  1. Read it aloud. Plays and scripts were written to be heard. Reading aloud helps bring the rhythm and emotion to life.
  2. Watch a performance if you can. If there’s a film or stage version available, watching it can help you see how the written page becomes live action.
  3. Pay attention to stage directions—but don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t need to memorize every motion. Just use them to imagine the scene.
  4. Notice patterns in dialogue. Who talks the most? Who interrupts? Who stays silent? These clues help you understand the characters.
  5. Think like a director or actor. What does this scene look like? What do the characters want? How do they try to get it?

Important Terms to Know

Here’s a little cheat sheet of common vocabulary you’ll see:

  • Monologue: A long speech by one character (often alone on stage).
  • Soliloquy: A type of monologue where a character speaks their thoughts out loud (usually not heard by others).
  • Aside: A quick comment meant for the audience, not other characters.
  • Blocking: Movement of actors on stage.
  • Cue: A signal for an actor to speak or move, or for a sound/light to happen.
  • Prop: An object used on stage (a book, a knife, a cup of coffee).

A Quick Look at Famous Plays and Scripts

  • Plays:
    • Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (Classic Greek tragedy)
    • Hamlet by Shakespeare (Yes, the “To be or not to be” guy)
    • The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
    • A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
    • Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks
  • Screenplays:
    • The Godfather (Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola)
    • Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino)
    • Get Out (Jordan Peele)
    • Lady Bird (Greta Gerwig)
    • The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin)

You’ll notice that some scripts are incredibly visual, while others feel like conversations you’re eavesdropping on. Either way, it’s about characters, choices, and what happens when people collide.

Why Study Plays and Scripts in a Literature Class?

Good question. It’s not just about reading books—it’s about understanding storytelling in all its forms. Plays and scripts:

  • Teach you how dialogue works.
  • Help you “see” story without needing description.
  • Reveal human emotion through performance.
  • Encourage you to think about what’s shown vs. what’s said.

Plus, plays and scripts often tackle deep themes—family, power, love, injustice—with raw honesty.

Conclusion

Reading plays and scripts is like stepping backstage—you see the nuts and bolts of storytelling. You hear voices more clearly. You imagine how each word, pause, and motion comes together to create something bigger than the page.

So the next time you pick up A Raisin in the Sun or read the Get Out screenplay, don’t stress the format. Just ask: What are these people saying? What are they doing? And why does it matter?

Education Universe Uncategorized

How to Analyze a Song: A Guide for College Students

Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, offering insights into culture, emotions, and even social movements. Analyzing a song allows you to engage with its deeper layers, exploring its themes, structure, and impact. This guide will walk you through the process of analyzing a song, helping you develop a comprehensive understanding of its elements.

1. Start with Initial Impressions

Before diving into technical analysis, take time to listen to the song in its entirety, preferably multiple times. Consider your emotional response and any images or thoughts the song evokes. Ask yourself:

  • What is my initial reaction to this song?
  • How does it make me feel?
  • What stands out on a first listen?

Take note of your first impressions—they often provide valuable insight into the song’s overall tone and mood.

2. Examine the Lyrics

The lyrics are the most direct way a songwriter communicates their message. Follow these steps to break down the lyrical content:

  • Identify the Theme: What is the song about? Is it telling a story, making a statement, or expressing a particular emotion?
  • Analyze the Language: Look for literary devices such as metaphors, similes, imagery, and symbolism. For example, in Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind, the repeated question “How many…?” symbolizes unanswered social injustices.
  • Consider the Structure: Are there verses, a chorus, a bridge, or a refrain? How does the repetition of specific lines or phrases affect the message or mood?

Example: Beyoncé’s Formation uses both direct and implied language to discuss Black identity and resilience. Phrases like “I like my baby hair with baby hair and afros” celebrate cultural heritage while pushing back against societal standards.

3. Analyze the Musical Composition

Music, independent of lyrics, conveys emotion and meaning through its sound. Pay attention to:

  • Melody and Harmony: Is the melody smooth and flowing, or is it fragmented? Does the harmony complement or contrast with the melody?
  • Instrumentation: Identify the instruments used. What role does each play in creating the song’s atmosphere? For instance, the use of strings can evoke sadness or tension, while guitars often bring energy or grit.
  • Rhythm and Tempo: Is the rhythm fast or slow? How does the tempo influence the mood? A slow ballad may evoke introspection, while an upbeat tempo might create excitement or urgency.
  • Dynamics: Notice changes in volume and intensity. Crescendos and diminuendos can signify emotional highs and lows within the song.
  • Production: Pay attention to how the song is produced. Effects like reverb, distortion, or autotune can enhance or alter the mood. For example, Billie Eilish’s use of whisper-like vocals and layered effects in bury a friend creates an eerie, haunting atmosphere.

4. Explore the Vocal Delivery

A singer’s voice is an instrument in itself. Consider:

  • Tone and Emotion: Does the vocalist sound joyful, sorrowful, angry, or calm? How does their tone enhance the song’s meaning?
  • Dynamics in Performance: Pay attention to vocal shifts—are there moments of shouting, whispering, or falsetto? These changes can reflect emotional intensity.
  • Articulation and Diction: How clearly are the words sung? Slurred or deliberately unclear articulation might create ambiguity or a dreamlike quality.
  • Interaction with Lyrics: Does the vocal delivery align with or contradict the message? A cheerful tone paired with somber lyrics can create irony, as seen in Lily Allen’s Smile.

5. Investigate the Song’s Structure

Song structures vary across genres, but most follow a recognizable pattern. Common forms include:

  • Verse-Chorus Form: Alternates between verses and a repeated chorus. The chorus often contains the song’s main message or hook.
  • Through-Composed: A linear structure where new material is introduced throughout the song without repetition.
  • AABA Form: Often found in jazz or classic pop, this form includes two similar sections (A), a contrasting section (B), and a return to the original section (A).

Analyze how the structure supports the song’s narrative or emotional arc. Does it build to a climax? Does it repeat themes for emphasis?

Example: Adele’s Someone Like You uses repetition in the chorus to drive home the emotional weight of heartbreak.

6. Understand the Genre and Style

Each musical genre has its conventions and traditions. Identifying the genre can guide your analysis:

  • Pop: Typically emphasizes memorable melodies and relatable lyrics.
  • Rock: Focuses on electric guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and themes of rebellion or introspection.
  • Hip-Hop: Often highlights rhythm, wordplay, and social commentary.
  • Jazz: Known for improvisation, complex harmonies, and emotional depth.
  • Classical: Emphasizes instrumental arrangements, dynamic shifts, and intricate compositions.

Analyze how the song adheres to or diverges from its genre’s norms. Artists often innovate within their genres to create something unique.

7. Contextualize the Song

A song doesn’t exist in isolation. Its meaning can be influenced by:

  • Cultural and Historical Context: Research what was happening in the world when the song was released. Protest songs like Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come carry historical significance tied to the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Artist’s Intent: Consider the artist’s background, influences, and intent. Interviews, liner notes, or documentaries can provide valuable insights.
  • Audience Reception: How has the song been received by listeners? Have interpretations changed over time?

8. Evaluate the Visual Elements

If the song has a music video or live performance, analyze how visual elements contribute to its meaning:

  • Imagery: Does the video use symbolism or specific colors to convey themes?
  • Narrative: Is there a storyline that complements or contrasts with the lyrics?
  • Performance Style: How does the artist’s body language or stage presence enhance the song?

Example: Childish Gambino’s This Is America juxtaposes vibrant dance sequences with graphic violence to critique American culture.

9. Synthesize Your Analysis

Bring all your observations together to form a cohesive interpretation. Ask yourself:

  • What is the song’s overall message or purpose?
  • How do the lyrics, music, and visuals work together to achieve this purpose?
  • What makes this song unique or impactful?

Create a summary that ties these elements together, offering your unique perspective on the song.

10. Write a Detailed Analysis

When writing your analysis, structure it clearly. Include:

  • Introduction: Briefly introduce the song, artist, and purpose of your analysis. State your thesis—your interpretation of the song’s meaning.
  • Body Paragraphs: Discuss each element in detail, supporting your claims with examples. Dedicate paragraphs to lyrics, musical composition, vocal delivery, and other relevant aspects.
  • Conclusion: Summarize your analysis and restate your thesis. Reflect on the song’s impact or relevance.

Example Analysis: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

  • Introduction: Describe the song’s unique blend of rock, opera, and ballad elements.
  • Lyrics: Analyze the ambiguity of the story (murder confession, existential crisis) and use of metaphor.
  • Composition: Examine how shifts in tempo and genre mirror the song’s emotional journey.
  • Vocal Delivery: Highlight Freddie Mercury’s dynamic range and emotional intensity.
  • Context: Explore its release during a period of experimentation in rock music.
  • Conclusion: Discuss why the song remains iconic and its impact on music history.

Analyzing a song is a rewarding process that sharpens your critical thinking and deepens your appreciation for music. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to uncover the layers of meaning within any song, transforming a listening experience into an intellectual journey.