Daria Daria

A film review writing
Intermediate, Grade 8, B1-B2 level

Description

In this lesson, students practice writing a film review. This lesson maintains the context from the previous two and picks up on some of the points Ss have discussed. The lesson begins with a discussion about the purpose of a film review. Ss will analyse the layout of a typical film review and look at some useful language. Then Ss practice preparing and writing their own review using a film of their choice. This is followed by peer feedback where Ss will use a checklist to assess if their peers have completed the writing task. The lesson ends with open class feedback on the content and language used in the writing activity.

Materials

Abc A film review exercises
Abc Cinema Vocabulary Bank
Abc Peer check list

Main Aims

  • To give Ss practice to develop their writing fluency in the context of a short formal film review.

Subsidiary Aims

  • - Ss will also have practiced reading for general understanding (gist) in the context of a short film review about the film The Force Awakens (2015).
  • - SS will also have understood and used language related to describing plot, giving opinions and making recommendations in the context of formal film review.

Procedure

Stage 1 - Warmer/Lead-in (2-3 minutes) • To set lesson context and engage students, and activate their previous knowledge of topic area

- T tells Ss to go to Writing A film review on p. 119 - T asks, What is the purpose of a film review? - Ss discuss their ideas, 2 mins. - T asks CCQ (Concept Checking Questions) if Ss are unsure of what the purpose of a film review is. CCQ: Does a film review tell you how the movie ends? (No) CCQ: Is a film review for people who have seen the movie of for those who are thinking about seeing the movie? (thinking about seeing) - Scripted transition: "Now let's read a film review!"

Stage 2 - Exposure (8-10 minutes) • To provide a model of production expected in coming tasks through reading

- T focus on the film title and, with a show of hands, find out how many Ss have seen it. - T elicit/explain the meaning of 'classic' in the title (= something that is accepted as being very high quality and one of the best its kind). - Instructions: Read the film description and complete the gaps with the words in the list of the exercise a. You only have 4 mins. You only have to do the first exercise, by yourself. - ICQ (Instruction Checking Question): Do you need to do the exercise by yourself or in a pair? (Ourselves) - Ss read and fill up the gaps from the list, 4 mins. -T conducts OCFB (Open Class Feedback): 1. directed 2. stars 3. nominated 4. set 5. filmed 6. recommended 7. action 8. soundtrack 9. special effects - T asks Ss to focus on the exercise b, tells to read the description again, paying particular attention to layout. - Instructions: Ss must number the paragraphs 1-4 in the order in which they appear. - T sets the time limit, "You only have 2 mins". - Ss read and answer individually, 2 mins. - Instructions: Ok, check your answer in pairs, 1 min. - T conducts OCFB: - Paragraph 1: the name of the film, the director, the stars, and any prizes it won - Paragraph 2: where and when it is set, where it was filmed - Paragraph 3: the plot - Paragraph 4: why you recommend d the film - T gives a Whole Class activity - 1 min - Instructions: Look at paragraph 3 again. What tense do we use to tell the story of a film or book? (The present simple) - Scripted transition: Now let's look more closely at the features of a film review.

Stage 3 - Useful Language (7-8 minutes) • To highlight and clarify useful language for coming productive tasks

-T says, After this, you will write your own film review, so make sure you take notes about the paragraphs and useful language. -T says, Look at the words in the Describing film box in exercise d. - T goes though the box with Ss and elicit/explains the phrases that might be unknown to Ss, 4 mins. - e.g. T says, If a story, film, etc. is set in a particular time or place, the action in it happens in that time or place: "West Side Story" is set in New York City in the late 1950s. -T says Look at the words in paragraphs 3 and 4, what kind of language helps you describe the story and your opinion? (adjectives and adverbs) - Instruction: In exercise d answer these questions with partners. You have 2 mins. ICQ: Are you working individually or in pairs? (in pairs) - T monitors and asks at least one student who has seen the film and another who hasn't. -T asks CCQs, 2 mins. CCQ: Is the language in the review mostly formal or informal? (formal) CCQ: Are all film reviews formal? (No, some are casual) CCQ: Is this review more like a professional newspaper article or a casual blog post? (professional) CCQ: Does the review ever use the first person pronoun “I”? (No) Any ideas why? (makes it seem more professional, suggests less personal opinion and more accepted fact). -scripted transition: now you're going to prepare to write your review.

Stage 4 - Productive Task(s) (18-20 minutes) • To provide an opportunity to practice target productive skills

PREP FOR WRITING: - T says, You are going to write a similar film description for a film you would recommend. You should write 4 paragraphs, as in the model, and use the language in the Describing a film box and the Vocabulary Bank Cinema to help you. - Instructions: Choose a movie that you enjoyed watching and plan what are you going to write in the 4 paragraphs, using the paragraph notes in Exc. b. You will have 5 minutes to make your notes. You can search the internet for any information that you don't know, such as the name of the director or actors. ICQ: Will you make notes about paragraph 1 or all four paragraphs? (all four paragraphs) ICQ: Do you need to write full sentences or key words? (Key words) ICQ: How long do you have? (5 mins) -Learners write a plan of their review, 5 mins. -T monitors the class, keeps track of timing, gives 2 min time reminder. WRITING: -T distributes separate pieces of paper. Ss must write their names and the date. Instructions: You will have 12 minutes to write your review. Remember to follow the structure of the paragraphs in the example and use the language expressions from the box. ICQ: How much time do you have? (12 mins) ICQ: Where can you find information about what to include in each paragraph? (Exercise b) - Learners write reviews. -T monitors the class, gives feedback, suggestions, help. -T keeps track of timing, gives time reminders (5mins and 1min). When time is up, T says, Great work everyone! - Scripted transition: now you'll get a chance to read one of your peer's reviews.

Feedback and Error Correction (8-10 minutes) • To provide feedback on students' production and use of language

- T distributes HO with a peer checklist. - Instructions: Read your partner’s review, think about what you enjoyed and use the list to give them feedback on the task. You will have 4 mins. Make sure you take turns to talk. -T demos feedback For example, if Monica is my partner, I read Monica's review. Then I give her feedback: Wow, Monica, I like how you summarised the story in your review - it's really great. I see that you gave all the required information and organised it well into 4 paragraphs. But I noticed you use some contractions which might make it too informal. And I think I found a an error here... ICQ: Which review will you read? (the review of the person in your pair) ICQ: Will you give feedback by writing or by speaking? (speaking) -Learners give peer feedback (4 mins) -T monitors and broadcasts 1 min warning. -T conducts OCFB, nominates one student, says 'Tell me about your peer's review, what was it about? -T gives positive feedback about good language use, suggests some reformulation, corrections.

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