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Blog Human Resources
21 Engaging Performance Review Examples [+ Tips From an HR Manager]
By Victoria Clarke , May 13, 2022
Performance review season can be a daunting period for both management and employees.
One-sided conversations, mixed messages and wordy documents leave both parties feeling like they have the same, stressful conversation each time.
But if you take the right approach, quarterly or annual performance reviews are an awesome opportunity to reinforce solid habits, redirect poor traits and drive professional growth for your employees.
In this post, I’ll give you tips from my own experience as an HR manager to make the performance review process a lot more painless, plus performance review examples you can customize now.
Performance review examples and advice:
What is a performance review.
- Useful performance review phrases
Performance review examples and templates
- Self performance review examples
- Quarterly performance review examples
- Annual performance review examples
Simple performance review examples
- What’s the purpose of a performance review?
How to write a performance review
A performance review is a regulated assessment in which managers evaluate an employee’s work performance to identify their strengths and weaknesses, offer feedback and assist with goal setting.
The frequency and depth of the review process may vary by company, based on company size and goals of the evaluations. It could be annually:
Or quarterly, to name a few:
Watch this quick, 14-minute video for performance review tips, templates and best practices:
This quarterly performance review example has sections for both achievements and areas of improvement. It also has a section for core values, as this must be a key performance indicator at this company. Different companies will have different measuring sticks for success.
Q: Can I customize the performance review templates in this post?
A: Yes, you can! All the templates are easy to edit. Some templates are free, some are paid.
Click any template and you’ll be asked to sign up for free. You’ll enter our online editor. Edit the text, apply your brand colors, add pages, upload your logo and more. Share a link for free.
Upgrade to our Plan for Professionals to download in PDF or PowerPoint format and access premium features and templates, such as real-time team collaboration and one-click branding.
Return to Table of Contents
Useful performance review phrases
Grappling with what to say at your next performance review? Choosing the right words is important to make the review as constructive as possible, not to mention motivating for your employee. Here’s a list of effective performance review phrases for managers and employees.
Performance appraisal comments for managers:
- She replies to calls, emails and instant messages in a timely manner (within 24 hours etc.)
- He has a talent for thinking outside the box.
- She tends to be risk-averse and prefers traditional approaches to creative ones.
- She maintains a culture of transparency in her team and encourages knowledge-sharing across all teams in the department.
- He consistently gives reports the training and resources needed to meet their goals.
- He is biased and openly favors some employees over others on his team.
- She is skillful in communicating difficult decisions and messages to her team.
- She creates chaos and miscommunication in her team by consistently communicating different messages to different reports.
- You embody a “win together lose together” philosophy.
- Your ability to reflect, plan and act is the key to your excellent performance.
- He uses his seniority to try to dominate and/or intimidate reports.
- He excels when working alone but has trouble working collaboratively with a team.
- He consistently meets his deadlines and prioritizes top goal work.
- She consistently focuses on lower-value work instead of high-lever activities.
Performance review phrases for employees:
- Can you tell me more about what you mean?
- I want to be sure I understand (your expectations).
- Let me give you a little more context here.
- What would it look like if I was performing at a top level?
- What would I need to do to score higher on this?
- Let’s discuss my goals and priorities for the the next quarter/year.
- Is there a way to get more frequent feedback about my performance between evaluations?
- How will I know if I’m on track between evaluations?
If you want to see a list of common skills you can comment on for your employees, check out this section .
To conduct an effective performance review, it’s important to deliver a positive and solution-focused message. This will be less discouraging to the employee.
This performance review example shows how you can offer constructive feedback, while also praising the employee’s efforts. The majority of the sections focus on the employees’ achievements and strengths.
Suggested areas of improvement are positioned in the middle, letting managers cushion criticism with praise.
This appraisal example shows how managers can give constructive feedback to their employees by giving them clear direction on what things to keep doing and what actions to take in future.
While Felicia did not meet her goal, her manager acknowledges that the goal was set deliberately high and that 74 percent of the goal still has significant impact.
This employee review form also points to specific positive behavior, such as self-education, teamwork and a strong work ethic.
There are also specific recommendations for improvement, such as putting together a plan to get more press mentions and scaling her experiments.
Another way to do a performance review, or kick off the process, is to use a quadrant. Both the employee and manager can plot where they think the former falls on certain key values and build out discussion points from there.
You can change “get it done/get it right” in the employee review template below to “uphold core values/contribute to company culture” for example.
Self-performance review examples
In a self-performance review, employees assess themselves using the same rubric as their managers would and submit them to HR and/or their manager prior to their official review meeting.
The benefits of doing self-assessments have made them a common part of the employee review throughout many companies.
Self-assessments are an encouraging opportunity for employees to share their thoughts about their job, goals, desired responsibilities and aspects of either their role or environment that they may be struggling with.
Set employees up for success in the self-assessment process by giving them a robust employee evaluation form with thoughtful questions.
Annual self-evaluation employee review template
This first example is perfect for a thorough annual review. The targeted questions prompt the employee to reflect on their achievements and shortcomings, while also rating themselves on specific skill sets required for their job.
The above employee self-assessment example allows for multiple sign-offs, plus a section to list colleagues who can back up the employee’s statements.
Yearly performance self-evaluation templates
A yearly performance self-evaluation isn’t just a great chance for employees to assess their past performance.
It’s also a way for employees to plan for their professional future as they can see where their strengths lie and what skills they need to build to move up in the company. An annual self-evaluation can also build an employee’s case for their compensation review.
This employee self-evaluation form is broken into sections that cover all these factors: about your job, achievements, goals and professional development .
This yearly performance self-evaluation template has space to expand on goals met and alignment with core values, as well as skills they’d like to build in the future:
Self-assessment employee review forms
Many performance reviews are incredibly detailed. Sometimes, a higher-level overview is all that’s needed.
Quadrant evaluations, like the template below, are a great way for employees to do an assessment and for managers to quickly add their own evaluation, without getting into the weeds.
Employees can add what’s being evaluated in the easy-to-edit template below (instead of get it done/do it right). The employee adds an icon where they think they fall in the quadrant, and the manager does the same, with room on the last page to further break down the evaluation.
Sounds tough? Our real-time collaboration feature (part of the Business Plan ) lets both manager and employee work on the same doc online, leave comments, share private links and more.
The self employee review form below lets the employee write out their job description. That way, they can reference their deliverables in the Goals Achieved and Areas of Excellence sections and directly demonstrate their impact on the organization:
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Click any text box to change the words or the font. Choose from brand fonts (you can set this), template fonts or from our font library. There are plenty of modern options. This article on how to choose fonts can help you decide.
This self-performance review example gives employees the chance to reflect on their achievements on a quarterly basis.
This way, employees can demonstrate meeting quarterly goals. It can also give them a chance to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and have a chance to act on them before their big annual review:
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Want to change the background colors? Click any section and then select a new color from the color picker tool. You can choose from a color from the color wheel, one of your brand colors (use My Brand Kit to set this up) or pre-set template colors. Or enter a HEX code if you want to get super specific.
Self-assessments also help enlighten managers of how employees understand their place within the company’s organization and culture.
The information disclosed in self-assessments should serve as a major element of official performance reviews in order to ensure that both a two-way conversation occurs and that the needs of both parties are being met moving forward.
To make for the most effective self-assessments, employees should be sure to consider how their managers’ perceptions of their performance varies from their own.
With this in mind, the information shared in a self-assessment can guide or pivot a manager’s perception and assessment of an employee’s performance .
Quarterly employee performance review templates
Quarterly reviews are important because they provide multiple opportunities for employees to receive helpful feedback on how to improve as the year progresses.
This quarterly performance review example reflects on specific areas of improvement, such as scaling her experiments and developing content partnerships.
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Want to add a text box? Click “Text” in the left-hand navigation bar. Drag the text box you want onto the canvas (“Text” is good for body copy). Then, click the text box and start typing!
Quarterly reviews from Q1 to Q3 serve as a means of providing specific, deliberate feedback to employees so they know exactly how to improve on their goals and skills.
This enables the final, annual evaluation conducted at the end of Q4 to serve as a final assessment that will have the most weight in determining how the employee will excel into the next year, discretionary bonuses, salary increases, etc.
Quarterly reviews offer a documented and tracked record of an employee’s progress throughout the year.
This means that each quarter should be assessed using the same rubric throughout the entire year. This will aid in ensuring an accurate representation of an employee’s development is recorded.
That means, if you use the below employee review template in Q1, you should also use it again in Q2 and Q3:
Quarterly employee review template
This quarterly review template is a more condensed version of the example above.
If you’d like to keep your quarterly reviews short and to the point, this template will suffice. Employers can then use the expanded version above for their annual review.
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Want to change the text? Click any text box to open the text toolbar above the canvas. From here, change the alignment and size, add bold or italic styling and add numbering or bullet points, too. It behaves just like any other text editor you’ve used before, so it’s simple to learn.
If you want a template that’s filled with useful information on the types of performance review phrases you can use for a quarterly review, you can edit the one below:
Employee self-evaluation sample answers
It’s also important for employees to comment and reflect on their reviews.
They can both point out specific milestones that were missed:
- I generated five new leads and, as a result, I exceeded my sales quota by 20%
- I wrote a blog post based on original research that doubled our organic traffic in June
And also to acknowledge areas of improvement:
- I recognize that I need to form new content partnerships. I plan to do so in Q3 by putting together a list of 10 potential targets based on past linkbuilding partners and sending a customized pitch email.
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Want to add your logo to the top of this template? Click the “My Brand Kit” tab in the editor. You can import your logo from your website. Drag and drop it onto the canvas. You’re done!
Annual performance review templates
At large organizations, there may not be enough resources in order to devote the time needed to conduct quarterly performance reviews for every employee.
This is also true in the case of a supervisor who has a large number of direct reports working for them whereby time management is their main issue.
In these situations, an annual performance review would work best, especially if the employees being evaluated are experienced in their line of work and have been with their company for a long time.
Annual employee performance review templates
In this employee review template, staff are evaluated on only four factors: ability, goals, areas of improvement, and core values:
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Change the background quickly by clicking the “Background” tab in the left-hand navigation bar. Choose from your brand colors or pre-set template colors. Add a gradient or pattern, if you like. Click “Undo” at any time to fix a mistake.
Annual evaluations are typically geared towards determining employee raises and discretionary bonuses.
Regular one-on-one meetings between direct reports and managers throughout the course of the year would be a great way to supplement this process.
This annual employee review template can simply include scores (out of 100 etc.) in each box. Or put notes in each section to explain the overall performance score.
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. You can move any element in our templates just by clicking it and holding. Drag the text box, column, row, image etc. to a new spot. Change the size by grabbing a corner of the bounding box and making it bigger or smaller. It’s as simple as drag and drop.
This being said, annual appraisals would need to take a more general approach to evaluating employees than just providing a summary of their performance over the year.
The following employee review template takes a graphic approach and neatly summarizes overall performance using a score out of 100 for factors such as adaptability and project quality:
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. The charts in this template can easily be changed to fit your stats. Click any chart and our chart editor will open. For example, you could click the blue donut Aptitude chart and enter the number “60.” The chart will automatically adjust. It’s that easy.
Employee evaluation examples
Aside from the categories in the template above, there are a number of other factors that employers can use to evaluate performance.
Common performance review skills:
- Interpersonal skills
- Quality of work
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Adaptability
- Punctuality and attendance
- Self-education and learning
- Accountability
Even if you want to do a basic performance review, you should always include:
- Elements of the employee’s strengths.
- Areas for which the employee can develop.
- How the employee contributes/could contribute to the company’s core values and culture through performance and actions.
This performance review mind map shows the basics for setting up a simple yet effective performance review–from setting specific goals to soliciting employee feedback.
A simple performance review should still reflect the goals of your business’s performance review management system —and this will vary by company.
It’s important to understand the purpose of your assessment before determining what information will be required to assess in order to meet the goal.
For example, some smaller companies may use performance reviews throughout the year to track employees’ development and growth.
While other, larger companies may use performance reviews to summarize employee performance, help to calculate the priorities of the new year, adjust compensation or establish bonus amounts.
An HR checklist can come in handy to streamline the process.
Simple employee review template
Each of these simple employee review templates are easy to edit in our online editor. Customize the text to match your own criteria, add your brand colors, upload your logo, add or delete pages and then share a private link or download in PDF or PowerPoint formats ( Business Plan only ).
This template uses quadrants to see how employee and manager evaluations match. Or only use it for self-assessments or manager assessments.
Simple performance review template
This more traditional performance review template focuses only on big categories, like meeting goals, areas of excellence and areas of improvement.
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. Click the “My Brand Kit” tab to add your brand colors with one click (we’ll grab them automatically from your website). Or try one of our custom color palettes. Click “Shuffle” to try different color combinations.
Simple employee review form
The below form is an even more condensed version of the above. Use it for a quarterly review to keep things focused or even for an annual review to help you and your report stick to the most important points. Change the text to include your own categories of evaluation.
How Do I Customize This Template? Click the template, sign up for free and enter the Venngage editor. If you need to add new text boxes, open the “Text” tab and drag a text box onto the canvas. The text box will resize as you type.
What’s the purpose of a performance review?
At Venngage, our people are at the core of everything we do as a business—whether it’s developing new features on our tool, growing our international reach or meeting customer needs.
With a people-focus within our company, we are passionate about continuous learning and improvement, self-reflection, creating great customer experiences , owning our jobs, teamwork and making our office feel like a second home
It should come as no surprise that our leadership team spends a considerable amount of time at the end of each quarter conducting performance reviews with each of their direct reports.
Here are some things we’ve learned about how to conduct effective performance reviews:
- Make it clear at the beginning of a new hire’s employment how and when employees will be evaluated. This should be part of your onboarding process and is especially important if you’re managing a remote team .
- Allow employees to prepare for their review by completing a self-assessment prior to their appraisal, then allow the employee to walk their manager through the reasoning behind their self-assessment.
- Deliver a positive and solution-focused message (whenever possible), this will result in a less discouraging message.
To make the most of the actual review conversation with your employee, it’s important to avoid:
- General, vague feedback; be specific on which behaviors you want your employee to continue, stop and explore.
- Making it personal; feedback is about actions and behavior , not the person.
- Loaded language; focus on asking what and how , not why . Enquiring why someone acted the way they did is akin to searching for a ‘motive’ and may come across as accusatory.
Having an employee-friendly performance review process can not only make or break the development of your employees but also disrupt the relationship between managers and their reports.
Beyond creating a robust performance review strategy and performance review form, managers must also consider their delivery of the appraisals. Communicating a performance review effectively is the final touch to executing a constructive, celebratory and effective review process.
When creating an effective assessment, it’s important to include the following:
- Calculate an overall rating for the employee; although a manager will be highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of an employee’s behavior , it will aid the employee’s morale to communicate how the employee averaged on this rating scale.
- Ensure the employees are engaged in their own reviews; thus, be sure to include the employees’ goals and developments toward reaching such goals in the assessments .
- Celebrate employees improvements; highlighting an employees’ developments are a powerful way to impact employee engagement and boost overall team performance .
- Company culture and values; dedicate a section of the assessment to evaluate how employees align with the company’s core values thus contributing to a positive company culture .
Based on my involvement in building out our own effective performance review process at Venngage, I suggest taking the following steps into consideration when constructing a performance review:
1. Set expectations early
Early in an employee’s career with a company, managers should communicate the details of their review process including the expectations. It should be included in your employee handbook , for example.
In this way, managers set and communicate clear expectations of the key job functions and competencies of the role when an employee joins the company. The information presented in performance reviews should align with this define as well as use familiar language and terms. This strategy will work to eliminate any potential confusion or surprises for both parties.
2. Don’t make it personal
Feedback is about actions and behavior, not the person.
When writing a performance review, it helps to take a look at the issue(s) you’ve included and ensure that they apply to actions and behavior of the employee rather than the personal attributes of said employee.
This will also help to regulate the information mentioned in the review, to guarantee it is relevant and appropriate information.
3. Beware of biases and limitations
While there may be a general ‘right’ way of doing things, there are often multiple — and equally good — ways to reach the same end goal.
Please ensure your review is not biased or limited in favor of your personal work style and beliefs. Try to consider the various aspects of the employees role and experience that may impact their decision to pursue alternative methods or working habits. Be empathetic towards these factors when writing your review.
4. Be specific
The information presented in the review should be task-focused, clear and to the point.
General comments will leave an employee feeling confused and in the dark as to what aspect of their work needs to be corrected or how they can pursue improvements.
Failing to be direct in your messaging will impact the way your message is received and create further confusion about what the expectations are. Managers should be specific on what behaviors of their employees they are celebrating and what actions require improvements.
4. Offer guidance
Managers play a critical role in understanding the career goals of their employees and crafting development opportunities to help their reports achieve their goals.
It is important as a manager to offer your advice and expertise to your employees to help further their development.
If, as a result of the feedback given, the employee (or yourself) may feel as though they need additional training, consider the benefit of workshops, mentoring or coaching.
Be sure to use performance reviews as a way to guide employees whether it is toward further greatness or for areas requiring some improvement.
5. Follow up
Follow up in writing and check in continuously to ensure improvement.
Both managers and employees should receive a copy of the review to refer back to moving forward.
Whether reviews are scheduled annually or quarterly, they should be a continuous topic of discussion for both managers and employees. When writing a review, ensure that the review is clear and specific. Being mindful of this will help to ensure the employee can easily refer back to the form on their own after the meeting.
Related: How to Write a Performance Review That Inspires Growth (With Examples & Templates)
Create a performance review strategy before writing an employee’s review
Having an employee-friendly performance review process can not only make or break the development of your employees and but also disrupt the relationship between managers and their reports.
That’s why it’s crucial to create a robust performance review strategy and employee evaluation form before implementation to ensure the process is both constructive, celebratory and effective. This will even help you in the future if you choose to write a letter of recommendation for the employee as you’ll have all his performance reviews to reference.
By considering the six steps above when writing a performance review, you’ll have completed the final step in executing an employee-friendly review process.
The satisfaction gained from an increase in employee engagement and people power will make the effort expended on administering performance reviews entirely worthwhile, and ensure you have more effective reviews moving forward.
Take notes of the effective performance review phrases you can use during any of review sessions, as well as creating a visually appealing assessment using Venngage performance review templates. It’s free to get started.
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- How To Write A Review: Cambridge B2 First
- Posted on 24/07/2019
- Categories: Blog
- Tags: B2 First , Cambridge Exams , FCE , First Certificate , Resources to learn English , Writing
Students who are taking their B2 First Certificate exam (FCE) will be asked to do two pieces of writing within an 80 minute time limit. Part 1 is always an essay . Part 2 is where you can get a bit more creative. You might, for example, be asked to write a letter, a report or a review, all of which have their own style and set guidelines.
When writing a review it can be difficult to know where to start. But don’t be afraid! We are here to help you every step of the way.
Remember a review could be for a book, a film, a magazine, a restaurant or even a product .
Three steps to writing a great review
Let’s start with something simple. Imagine. You turn over the page to your writing part 2 and you see this question:
Question taken from Cambridge Assessment English website . (Feb 2018)
Step One: Make a plan
The first thing to do is to make a plan, just like we did in our B2 First essay guidelines .
Think of a book you read in which the main character behaved in a surprising way. This could be surprising in a good way, where the character does something amazing and helps somebody. Or maybe there’s a twist at the end and the character does something really shocking. Either way take some time to really think about your choice.
E.g. I’m going to choose The Great Gatsby, because I had to read the book 3 times when I was at school and I’ve seen the film so I feel like I know it really well .
The structure
Next, think of the structure. Consider all the parts of the question and use that to help organise your review. Make notes about the following:
- An interesting title
- A catchy introduction
- A summary of the plot
- A surprising moment
- Your recommendation
Remember you’re going to want to separate these with clear paragraphs that are going to help the examiner read to the end without getting a headache.
You also need to consider the tone and how the review should sound to the reader. Remember this is for a magazine. Think about all the magazines you like to read. You want to sound chatty and grab the reader’s attention, but not bore them to sleep. Think semi-formal but friendly!
Useful Vocabulary
Now brainstorm some useful vocabulary for your chosen book, including lots of adjectives. Avoid using boring adjectives like good or bad . It’s much more exciting to say ‘amazing’ and ‘disappointing’ or ‘ terrific ’ and ‘terrible’ .
Here’s some more useful vocabulary to get you started:
superficial / deceptive / fascinating / unbelievable / rich / lonely / kind / reserved/ to be set in / to be written by / prosperity / characters / jazz age / protagonist / atmosphere / author / chapter / ending / fictional towns / prohibition / novel / on the outskirts / sad story.
Your next step is to think of some linking phrases. These are going to help tie together your thoughts and bring your review to life!
- Overall if you like…
- I was pleasantly surprised by…
- In fact…
- What I disliked the most was…
- The book contains…
- As well as…
- This well-written book…
- Unbelievably…
Step Two: Write it
Once you have a solid plan, writing your review should be easy!
First start with an interesting title. E.g. The Unexpected Anti-Hero. It relates to both the book that’s being reviewed and the question. It’s also short and snappy .
Next write an engaging introduction. Maybe start with a rhetorical question, for example:
Are you a fan of the Jazz Age? Then this is the book for you!
Or a general statement about the book that will hook the reader:
The Great Gatsby is a classic, with many twists and turns.
You could also give some background information. Here we use the past simple:
The Great Gatsby was written by F.S.Fitzgerald and is set in prosperous Long Island in 1922.
The second paragraph should summarise the plot (note – we usually describe a story in present tense ):
Gatsby is a mysterious character, he has big extravagant parties, and we never know if we can trust him.
The third paragraph is where we introduce the surprising moment and reveal what the main character did and why it was surprising:
- The most shocking part is when…
- I couldn’t believe it when…
- It was so surprising when…
In the fourth paragraph, give a recommendation! Here the examiner wants to hear your overall opinion. It can be something simple:
- I strongly recommend..
Or something more inventive:
- I wouldn’t read the novel again because…
- Everyone should read this immediately!
But don’t forget to say why!
Step Three: Check it
Now you have your winning book review it’s time to check for all those little (and big) mistakes.
Make sure you check:
- You’ve answered all parts of the question.
- It is easy to read.
- Your spelling is correct.
- You’ve used the 3rd person(s).
- You have used punctuation.
- There’s a variety of nouns and adjectives.
- Pick a book you know quite well! Whether it’s Harry Potter or The Hunger Games , make sure you have lots to say about it!
- Don’t be afraid to give both negative and positive opinions!
- Experiment with using first person and try addressing the reader with ‘you’.
- Read lots of real authentic reviews online, anything from holidays to music concerts, exhibitions to video games!
- Remember to put some of your own personality into your review. Have some fun with it and good luck!
Follow the links for some excellent phrases and vocabulary for other types of reviews.
Restaurant Reviews
Film Reviews
TV / Theatre Reviews
Exhibition & Concert Reviews
Here are some more sample questions for you to practice on your own:
Choose one and post your reviews in the comments section.
Glossary for Language Learners
Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.
Twist (n): : a sudden change in a story that you do not expect..
Chatty (adj): having a friendly style.
Avoid doing something (v): to intentionally not do something.
Terrific (adj): excellent.
Snappy (adj): concise.
Hook (v): to catch.
adj = adjective
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9 customer review examples + template for getting more reviews
When it comes to making decisions, we humans aren’t always independent thinkers. From buying our morning coffee to big-ticket items like a new car, we depend on our network’s opinions, advice, or perspectives for making the right decision.
With the internet, those networks get way, way bigger. We’re no longer confined to just friends, family, and coworkers—we can see what people all around the world think with just a quick Google search.
And these customer reviews hold serious weight with shoppers. Online reviews—either positive or negative—can impact over 93% of consumers’ decisions . 1
While reviews can accumulate on their own, they shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. Knowing how to ask for reviews, leverage them to get more business, and respond to less-than-favorable customer testimonials can improve your business image and land you more long-lasting customers.
Keep reading to learn about:
- Why customer reviews are so important
- 9 types of reviews and how to get more of them
- How to respond to positive and negative customer reviews
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Want to get more customer reviews for your business? Use these outreach templates (and DIY customer review builder!) to help your customers give you the best review possible.
Get free review templates
Why are customer reviews so important?
Customer reviews build something known as social proof, a phenomenon that states people are influenced by those around them. This might include friends and family, industry experts and influencers, or even internet strangers.
Social proof can push customers who are on the fence about buying a product to make a purchase (or consider other alternatives). While there are many different forms of social proof (like influencer campaigns and company partnerships), customer reviews have a special place in shoppers’ hearts.
Think about the last time you tried a new restaurant. Or bought a vacuum. You probably looked for reviews online first, right? When considering a purchase, people want first-hand perspectives from other people just like them. While a famous influencer might catch their attention, experiences from peers are also important if you want to convince them to buy .
Depending on the industry your business is in, customer reviews might be especially important because they help offset a generally negative view of certain industries. For example, if you work in advertising, you’ve got a bit of an uphill battle— only 23% of respondents surveyed in the Customer Communications Review said that ad agencies provided “very good” or “pretty good” service, and ad agencies rank dead last in comparison to other major industries:
Thank you for your interest in RingCentral.
9 customer review examples (and how to get more reviews)
Customer reviews come in many different forms. Including a few good ones on your website can improve your chances of winning more customers—who doesn’t want that?
And anything you can do to make it as easy for your happy customers to write those reviews for you will help. For example, here’s a handy Mad-Libs-style customer review builder that you can attach to your message or email to the customer when you’re asking if they can write a review or testimonial for you:
You can download this customer review template, along with examples of outreach communications, to help you save a ton of time as you’re gathering customer reviews 👇
Let’s walk through the different kinds of customer reviews, starting with the easiest ones to collect.
Testimonials or quotes from your customers are one of the most common forms of customer reviews. You’re most likely to find them on a company website, typically on the homepage, or in their marketing materials.
Here’s an example of a quote testimonial from WordPress :
These short (typically only one to two sentence) overviews of how your product or service impacted a company helps give your brand credibility. With quote testimonials, those impressive claims you’re making actually sound believable because they’re backed up by someone who’s, well, not you.
We list customer quotes as the easiest type of review to get because they involve very little effort for you and your customer. Because you’re in control of adding them to your website, all you need to do is ask your customers to share their experience in an email, in person, or over the phone.
Quotes also allow you to choose the great customer service stories , perspectives, or opinions that you think are most valuable. You can highlight your high-profile clients—and who says you have to use the less-than-favorable reviews?
How to get a quote review:
Ask for it. Call up your long-term customers and ask if they’d be willing to share a testimonial or a bit about their experience working with you to display on your website.
Or look for positive words of encouragement in email and social media responses or everyday conversations. If a customer gives you a great quote, ask if you can showcase it on your website.
You might be on multiple social media platforms, so how can you keep track of all these messages? If you’re providing omnichannel customer service , you might already be using a tool that can consolidate all your customer conversations and communication channels into one handy dashboard. Like this:
To get awesome customer reviews, you need to provide awesome customer service, whether that’s by focusing on proactive or agile customer service.
2. Peer review sites
Peer review sites are probably what you think of when you think of customer reviews. These include Google reviews, Facebook reviews, Yelp, Amazon, or G2 Crowd (if you’re a software company).
You’ve probably encountered these kinds of reviews while you were deciding whether or not to try a local business for the first time:
Reviews on peer-to-peer sites can happen organically, often removing the company from the review process entirely. (This can be a nightmare if you’re managing a small business , since one bad review can have a huge impact, but this also makes the reviews seem more authentic.) Customers don’t need to worry about if companies have edited them to be more favorable (or deleted reviews they didn’t agree with).
However, this also means you’re not as in control of these kinds of reviews.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything at all. These peer-to-peer review sites are often one of the first places a potential customer looks when considering a purchase, so ensuring you have some positive reviews on each is important.
How to get a review on a peer review site:
Again, the best way to do this is to ask. Send an email, ask in person, or add links to your website that make it easy for customers to leave their opinion.
3. Social media
Social media is becoming just as much a resource for businesses that want to build brand awareness as it is for people who are interested in connecting with brands. But don’t just your social media campaigns to get prospects. Not only are customers turning to social media to ask brands questions or learn about their services, they’re also using their accounts to share opinions and reviews.
Here’s an example from American Eagle’s spin-off clothing line Aerie:
Like peer-to-peer review sites, the company usually isn’t involved in the review process—making them feel more transparent and honest. But one of the biggest benefits of having reviews on social networks is that prospective customers can get a feel for who the customer is in ways they can’t with testimonials or peer-to-peer review sites.
How to get social media reviews:
Encourage customer reviews on social media by creating communities where customers are empowered to share their experiences or purchases. For example, Aerie uses the hashtag #AerieReal to make it easy to see how customers are styling their items in real life:
Create a unique hashtag to compile your customer reviews in one place.
4. Case studies
Case studies dive deep into customer results and are particularly useful for businesses selling to businesses (aka the B2B space).
Here’s an example of a case study from RingCentral and our client Box :
Case studies—unlike traditional customer reviews—are written from the perspective of the company doing the work or providing the product. Rather than the customer explaining how they helped, the company walks through what they did to help their customer reach their goals.
This perspective gives potential customers an idea of how your team works. It gives you a chance to show off your problem-solving skills and attention to detail, and it allows your potential customer to envision how you might help them.
How to get case study reviews:
Write your own! Be sure to mix in quotes, results, and info from your customer to back up your claims. Each case study should read like a partnership—not just a one-sided perspective.
5. Customer stories and interviews
We all love a good story—and that’s probably clear in the review types that we’ve listed so far. Customers want to see themselves in the people your company has already helped; they want to know what your customer experience is like. One way to do this is through customer stories and interviews.
Squarespace is one company that does this well:
Through stories and interviews, Squarespace shares who their customers are, what the vision or mission of their website is, and how Squarespace provides them with the platform to reach those goals.
For Squarespace, they get an opportunity to showcase how diverse their client pool is. But it gives customers an opportunity to connect with each other too. Similar to case studies, stories and interviews paint a larger picture of what the customer is hoping to accomplish—only you have to be less self-centered here and make sure your customer is the star of the story.
How to get customer story-style reviews:
Stories and interviews give a more personal perspective. Instead of hearing from your company, they’re hearing stories straight from the customer. So, to get those stories, send customers a questionnaire or old in-person interviews.
Give your customers an opportunity to share their stories, then focus on filling in the rest of the narrative with images, videos, and other content.
💡 Get more positive customer reviews with these free outreach templates (and DIY customer review builder).
Get free templates
6. Blog posts
Blog post reviews give your potential customer an opportunity to really dig in deep into your product or service, and even your brand and culture as a company. Rather than just a sentence or two like a customer might find on your website or a few hundred words displayed on a peer-to-peer review page, blog posts can be thousands of words, complete with step-by-step instructions with images that thoroughly explain a process or perspective.
This is a great example of a blog post review on Warby Parker :
These kinds of reviews can typically answer more complicated questions that require more space and time—something that isn’t really possible with traditional reviews.
But one of the biggest benefits of blog post reviews is the SEO value, meaning you can get these pages to show up on Google when people are searching for reviews of your business. If you’ve ever searched for “[product] review,” you’ve probably encountered a post like this before. Because these posts tend to be descriptive, long-form, and useful, they can rank pretty highly.
How to get blog post reviews:
Getting reviews like this one can be a little difficult. After all, not everyone has a blog to write on. You can increase your chances by offering a free sample or trial of your products or other goodies to industry influencers and experts who run popular blogs.
Consumers like videos. This isn’t anything new. In fact, 85% of internet users in the United States say they watch video content—making it a strong contender as an outlet for your customer reviews 2 .
Shopify is one example of a company using video testimonials:
Video reviews can give potential buyers something most written reviews can’t: emotion.
Viewers can see the difference your products or services have made. They can build a stronger connection with your customers, making it easier to put themselves in their shoes. These deeper connections can spark more sales .
Creating videos doesn’t need to be complicated. Customers sharing selfie-style videos talking about what your product has done, or just stationed in front of a camera, can get the same message across.
While you want the image and audio to be clear in the videos you share, the quality of the message is more important. If you have a customer willing to discuss on camera how you’ve helped them, this can go a long way.
Here’s another video review of Shopify, this time from YouTube :
This one doesn’t involve a lot of money or production—just a user sitting in front of his computer camera giving his opinion of the tool. And it still has over 15,000 views.
How to get more video reviews:
If you have the budget for larger production projects you want to feature on your website (like our first example), reach out to the customers you think have the best story or video presence. If you’re spending the money, you’re in control of the story.
However, to get more reviews like the second, treat it the same as blog post reviews. Reach out to industry experts who have large YouTube followings and offer free trials or discounted products in exchange for an honest review.
8. User-generated content
User-generated content includes social media posts, videos, images, audio, or other kinds of content created by—you guessed it—a user of your products or services. Some of the review types we’ve already covered would fall into this category (like social media posts or customer videos).
But user-generated content isn’t just an online review or a customer sharing an image with your hashtag. That’s just the start. You then need to take that content and use it in a bigger, coordinated way.
Here’s an example of how direct-to-consumer mattress brand Casper does it:
Like the Aerie example, Casper encourages users to share pictures using their products (in this case, sleeping on their mattresses) on social media. When someone tags Casper in their post, the image is added to a reel on their website.
They also share customer posts on their own Instagram feed:
Dogs and babies do well on Instagram, haven’t you heard?
User-generated content puts your customers’ experiences front and center. Although they’re not exactly traditional reviews, prospective customers can see how happy others are with your products. It helps build authenticity— something millennials love .
How to get more user-generated content:
This one follows the same tips as social media reviews. Encourage your audience to share their experiences by creating a unique hashtag or tell them to tag you in their posts.
Then start commenting, sharing, and engaging with your own audience. When your audience sees you showcasing other users’ experiences or getting into conversations, they’ll jump to get involved.
9. Brand ambassadors
Think of brand ambassadors as an external sales team. They’re loyal customers who love your brand or product so much they’re willing to recommend your products or services to their own networks. The bonus with having brand ambassadors is that they’re usually seriously obsessed fans—and are probably more familiar with your product than even your own team.
Brand ambassadors don’t need to have large followings. In fact, anyone can be a brand ambassador. You probably have brand ambassadors without even knowing it.
One of the best examples of brand ambassadors online is for the budgeting software, You Need a Budget (YNAB). Users are active on platforms like Reddit , sharing advice on how the platform has changed their life for the better:
How to get more brand ambassadors:
While you could pay for brand ambassadors, you’re better off creating them organically. In YNAB’s case, they did so by providing a unique spin to traditional budgeting software. By helping customers who otherwise would have slipped through the cracks, they’ve created a loyal fan base.
It takes more time to build brand ambassadors naturally, but this is a high-reward review since their advocacy will be much, much stronger, directed, and in-depth than your average Yelp review.
👀 How can you get more customer reviews? Start with these free outreach templates (and DIY customer review builder).
How to respond to customer reviews
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—your customer reviews shouldn’t exist in a vacuum.
If you’re just allowing customers to leave reviews on peer-to-peer pages, social media, or their own blogs without acknowledging them or responding to them, you’re not making use of powerful content that has been known to convert leads.
But your response process should look different depending on if the review is positive or not.
How to respond to a positive review
Congrats! A customer left you a positive review. Time to pop the champagne—and write a response.
Responding to a positive review is a lot less stressful than responding to something negative but just as important. Letting your happy customers know you’ve seen their kind words and you appreciate their feedback can encourage them to continue singing your praises.
Here’s how to respond to positive reviews:
- Make your message personalized. Customers will quickly realize if you’re just copying and pasting messages to all your reviews. Instead of giving a generic “Thanks!” take the time to write a thought-out, personalized message.
- Respond in a day or two. Fast responses show you’re paying attention. While you’re not expected to drop everything to respond to reviews, a quick response—especially on social media—can keep customers engaged with your brand. Reduce your response time by integrating your social media apps with your cloud-based communications system. RingCentral connects with top social platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, so you can easily respond without needing to switch platforms.
- Show your personality. This is your chance to engage directly with a happy customer, so make the most of it. Respond with some personality—humor, kindness, wit, you get the idea—to really connect with your customer. Regardless of your brand’s personality, be authentic. Your audience will be able to tell if you’re not.
- Give a recommendation. Now is a great time to point your customer in the direction of another product, a piece of content, or something related to their review. (This is a great way to personalize your response!) For example, if they say they enjoyed a product, recommend they look into a supplementary project, or suggest they check out a blog post that tells them how to make the most of their purchase. Your main goal is to keep them engaged!
- Ask if you can showcase their review. If someone leaves you a particularly stellar or unique testimonial, ask for permission to share it! Display it on your website, show it off on social media, or create user-generated content out of it. Showing off the kind words of your happy customers is more powerful than just telling people how awesome you are.
How to respond to a negative review
Negative reviews are much less exciting than positive reviews. They can be stressful, and responding can feel like a lost cause. But even the most unhappy customer can change their opinion with the right encouragement.
Responding to a negative review is a little less “just be yourself” and a little more strategic:
- Respond promptly. Again, you may not need to drop everything you’re doing to respond, but it’s more important to get to negative reviews quickly than positive reviews. If a negative review is posted for too long without a response, not only is it frustrating for the unhappy customer, but it can also leave a bad taste in prospective customers’ mouths. Do your best to get to negative responses in just a few hours.
- Put the customer first. You may not agree with what the customer is saying, but that doesn’t mean you should be on the defensive. Instead, listen and see where the customer is coming from—you have to identify where their frustration lies. Think about the response you would want in their shoes and try and find a solution.
- Respond publicly, but push the conversation to a private channel. You don’t want to get into a debate with an unhappy customer on Yelp, but you also don’t want it to seem like you’re not acknowledging negative reviews. Reply to unhappy customers on the platform they’ve left the review on, but encourage them to continue the conversation through a private message on social media, email, or phone call.
If you have a phone or communications tool, it can make this part easier. For example, RingCentral integrates with other popular social media apps to let you switch between platforms while keeping the integrity of your conversations:
(When frustrated customers don’t have to repeat their issues over and over, it might help soothe them a bit and give you a better shot at turning the interaction around.)
- Follow through. Don’t just apologize and call it settled. In order to change your customer’s opinion, you need to find a solution to their problem and follow through on it. Work with the customer to discover what will change their opinion—and follow up after to see if you’ve been successful.
- Don’t get it taken down. It can be tempting to get a negative review removed, but it can hurt the trust you’ve built with other customers—especially if that unhappy customer realizes they’ve been silenced. If you respond the right way, leaving the review up also proves to prospective customers that you care about your customers’ opinions. Sometimes, an unhappy customer will even write a positive follow-up review to show people that you actually turned things around for them:
Replying to reviews (both positive and negative) appropriately means having open communication with your customers. Bringing reviews in as part of your customer feedback cycle can help you identify communication gaps or other areas where you’re not meeting expectations.
What can you learn from these customer review examples?
Asking your audience to buy from you without any reinforcement from other customers is an uphill battle. Without any reviews or social proof, you’re expecting them to invest solely on blind trust—and it doesn’t work well.
Rather than making your job more difficult, make the most of the happy experiences your customers choose to share. From peer-to-peer pages to your own website and social media accounts, showcasing positive reviews—and responding to negative reviews the right way—can help you land more customers.
1 thedrum.com/news/2017/03/27/online-reviews-impact-purchasing-decisions-over-93-consumers-report-suggests
2 statista.com/statistics/272835/share-of-internet-users-who-watch-online-videos
Originally published Feb 19, 2020, updated Jan 29, 2023
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How To Write a Manager Performance Review? (with Examples)
By Vic on December 28, 2022 — 9 minutes to read
- How to write a performance review for a manager or supervisor? Part 1
- What to write in a performance review for a manager? Part 2
- Examples of positive feedback for a manager Part 3
- Examples of negative feedback for a manager Part 4
What is Manager Performance Review Feedback?
- Manager performance review feedback is a tool that can be used to assess the effectiveness of a manager in their role. Performance review process typically involves providing detailed feedback on a manager’s performance, including their strengths and weaknesses. The appraisal process typically begins with a comprehensive evaluation of each manager’s current performance level, followed by feedback from both their direct supervisor and other team members. This feedback can then be used to create actionable steps for improving performance, as well as to recognize areas of excellence.
If you’re a manager and asking “What to write in a performance review as a manager?” check these articles: How to Give Performance Feedback? Techniques and Examples (Positive, Negative, STAR Feedback) and 2000+ Performance Review Phrases: The Complete List
For employees writing a performance review for their managers, the article below is tailored to provide practical advice and examples. These performance review examples can also be used to provide managers with tools for self evaluation and serve as a guidance for managers and supervisors in developing their own goals and objectives.
How to write a performance review for a manager or supervisor?
When writing a performance review for a manager or a supervisor, it is important to focus on specific examples of their performance and provide constructive feedback. It can be helpful to have a list of performance review phrases and examples to draw from when providing feedback. This can help ensure that the review is clear and thorough, and will allow the manager to understand how their job performance is seen by others.
Here are a few tips:
1. Be objective and tactful. 2. You can use specific examples of behavior to reflect the manager’s contributions and achievements. 3. Be concise and to the point.
See also: 169 Leadership Performance Review Examples for Management Style, Planning, Supervision
What to write in a performance review for a manager?
Discuss strengths, identify areas of improvement.
To craft your performance review, think about your manager’s strengths and weaknesses, and consider providing constructive feedback for the following competencies:
Leadership skills
Mentorship skills.
Mentorship skills and willingness to help are essential components of successful management. A good manager is not only responsible for the performance of their team, but also for nurturing and developing employees through effective mentorship.
Effective mentors will take the time to listen and understand the perspectives of their coworkers before offering advice. Successful mentors will work with individuals one-on-one so that each person receives personalized attention and feedback tailored specifically towards their needs.
Goal setting skills
Collaboration and teamwork.
Other important competencies for a manager are: problem solving, innovation, punctuality, attitude, communication skills in the workplace; creativity as well as the ability to seek different perspectives and creative solutions from their colleagues; innovation (willingness to experiment to drive results), time management skills.
What are some examples of positive and negative feedback for managers?
Examples of positive feedback for a manager:.
✓ He is a good manager and he leads his team to perform their assignments well.
✓ We are impressed with his willingness to give instructions.
✓ His attitude is an asset to his management skills. He continually builds people up. He deals with difficult situations with incredible posture, and focuses on the positives.
✓ He demonstrates good organizational and planning skills.
✓ He successfully organizes and gives direction, guidance and feedback to his subordinates and colleagues.
✓ He creates an atmosphere in which creativity and innovation is both rewarded and encouraged.
✓ He is a servant-leader, who is always willing to help his team.
✓ He gives structure, feedback and direction to his team.
✓ He consistently recognizes his team for a job well done.
✓ He actively listens to his team’s feedback and comments.
✓ He takes responsibility for the performance of his staff members. He ensures the achievement of the goals as planned.
✓ He creates a culture of dialogue.
✓ He is willing to help his staff find suitable training sessions.
✓ He encourages his colleagues at work. He easily builds an atmosphere of trust within his team.
✓ His positive attitude in his management role is his most important and effective skill. He is cooperative with others and tries to connect everybody together. He focuses on the positives when solving problems.
✓ He establishes workable, prioritized, and highly effective problem-solving plans for each problem.
✓ He has the ability to manage his time and his team’s time well.
✓One of his strengths is his ability to design achievable goals. He ensures those goals are all met on time.
✓ He knows how to keep his staff focused on a plan. He assigns suitable duties to each of them.
✓ He sets concrete and measurable goals. (Option: He sets clear and measurable performance expectations.)
✓ He consistently shares feedback with his staff regarding their progress.
✓ He constantly pursues opportunities for growth and learning.
✓ He is a flexible manager and always tries to understand and respect his employees’ situations. He creates a positive working environment.
✓ His willingness to assist team mates in completing their tasks demonstrates his sense of responsibility.
✓ He is calm under pressure.
✓ He is very punctual and values the time of her colleagues and business partners. He has never been late to business meetings.
✓ He is able to work out multiple alternative solutions and determine the most suitable choice.
✓ He is objective in considering facts or situations.
✓ He is decisive in difficult situations.
✓ He is skilled at analyzing any situation and working out a solution.
✓ He consistently updates colleagues on what is going on within the company.
✓ He is loyal and trustworthy.
✓ He is highly principled. He is a good manager who treats all employees equally, regardless of gender, age or any other factor.
✓ He has the ability to resolve disputes with clients and colleagues peacefully.
✓ He shares his job knowledge well with his peers.
✓ He creates an exciting atmosphere for his team: one in which new ideas are rewarded and encouraged.
More examples of positive feedback (scroll down to the “Meets or Exceeds Expectations” part):
169 Leadership Performance Review Examples for Management Style, Planning, Supervision
100+ Performance Evaluation Comments for Attitude, Training Ability, Critical Thinking
150 Performance Appraisal Phrases (Teamwork, Technical Skills, Time Management)
142 Employee Performance Evaluation Examples (Initiative, Flexibility, Proactiveness, Goal-Setting)
174 Performance Feedback Examples (Reliability, Integrity, Problem Solving)
242 Performance Appraisal Examples (Creativity, Accountability, Customer Satisfaction)
300+ Performance Review Phrases for Quality of Work, Adaptability, Communication
Examples of negative feedback for a manager:
Constructive criticism is an important element of performance reviews because it helps managers to grow and develop their skills. It encourages managers to think critically about their work and how to improve it, as well as it can be used to set goals for improvement. Sometimes constructive criticism also allows for open dialogue between the supervisor and employee, which can lead to positive outcomes for both parties. Whenever possible, provide context by listing specific examples.
✗ He confuses the employees through different directions and guidance.
✗ He disregards company policies and tends to work by himself.
✗ He rarely shows appreciation for good performance.
✗ He fails to explain procedures to his subordinates clearly.
✗ He finds it difficult to delegate tasks which makes the team’s achievements entirely reliant on him.
✗ He fails to meet schedules.
✗ He is a decent task manager, but falls short when it comes to setting a vision.
✗ He has a tendency to play favorites and not treat all employees fairly.
✗ His employees consistently complain of unreasonable expectations.
✗ He does not understand how to set team goals and manage his team to achieve them. He seems to always be in survival mode without focusing on the goals necessary to move his team forward.
✗ He fails to resolve problems in a timely manner.
✗ He is ineffective at setting achievable goals.
✗ He has a tendency to trigger problems between his coworkers.
✗ His demeanor can be unapproachable and this negatively impacts the morale of his team.
✗ He does not handle stressful situations well.
✗ He rarely thoroughly thinks decisions through.
✗ He appears to be a rigid manager, but if he thought in a more flexible way, it would do him well. (Provide specific examples.)
✗ He is inconsistent in defining goals and objectives.
✗ He demands reliability from others, but not from himself.
✗ He struggles to communicate when deadlines will be missed.
✗ He disappoints employees who depend on him. (List specific examples.)
✗ He refuses to delegate to others. He attempts to do all the work by himself.
✗ He is unwilling to accept responsibility for missed goals.
✗ He doesn’t always communicate the right information to his staff to ensure they are successful with their tasks.
✗ He is too hesitant to make a decision.
✗ He makes promises that he doesn’t keep.
✗ He applies overly complex and impractical approaches to solving problems.
✗ He struggles to work out a solution to any difficult problem.
✗ He easily loses focus when facing a complex situation.
More examples of negative feedback (scroll down to the “Below Expectations” part):
Workplace training
11 minute read
28 Performance Review Examples - Phrases & Expert Tips
Kat Boogaard
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You’re pretty sure that your direct reports dread the performance review process. You get it — it’s nerve-racking to sit there and be evaluated and critiqued.
But here’s the thing. You might be the manager, but you get nervous too. Dishing out constructive criticism is tough, and you want to make sure you’re delivering valuable feedback in the most effective way possible.
Take some comfort in the fact that you aren’t alone. A whopping 96 percent of managers are dissatisfied with their organization’s performance management practices (which includes performance reviews).
Yikes! Needless to say, there’s some room for improvement when it comes to performance reviews.
While there are undoubtedly some company-wide rules you need to abide by, the good news is that you have quite a bit of control over your employees’ performance review experience.
In this guide, we’ll share some performance review examples (tips and phrases) to make sure your performance conversations and evaluations are productive, rather than anxiety-inducing wastes of time.
What is a performance review?
A performance review (also called a performance evaluation or a performance appraisal) is a formal conversation where a manager will offer feedback to an employee.
During a performance review, a manager will discuss the employee’s recent achievements, how they’re fulfilling their responsibilities, their progress toward goals, and areas of improvement — with the objective of helping that employee perform even better moving forward.
Performance reviews are intentional, scheduled conversations and not sporadic, random chats. These conversations typically happen every six months or every year.
What are the benefits of performance reviews?
Your employees might not cartwheel into your performance reviews, and nerves are normal on both ends.
- Performance: Your employees will struggle to perform at their best level if they don’t get honest feedback about how they can do better. When you deliver feedback effectively, you can get the best work out of your direct reports. One study found that 72 percent of respondents thought their performance would improve if their managers would provide more corrective feedback.
- Engagement: Employees want feedback. In fact, one study found that nearly 34 percent of full-time employees said they’d prefer to receive more feedback from their supervisors. While your performance review shouldn’t be the only time you’re offering feedback, it’s a great opportunity to show employees that you’re invested in their growth and success.
- Retention: It makes sense that satisfied employees stick around longer. Data from Gallup shows that frequent, strengths-based feedback can reduce turnover by nearly 15 percent .
- Career Development: A performance review is a chance for managers and direct reports to connect about career goals, and how the company can support employees in pursuing those ambitions. When 37 percent of employees say they’d leave their jobs if they weren’t offered opportunities to learn new skills, these conversations are important. They make your employees feel supported and encouraged, as well as allow you to collaboratively hash out action items to pursue their career goals.
One of the best ways to support career development is to provide your employees with access to plenty of learning opportunities. GoSkills can help .
What to say: performance review examples
When done right, your performance reviews offer plenty of advantages for both you and your staff. But, uhh...how do you do them right?
You should insert relevant details to provide specific, helpful, and meaningful feedback to your employees. You’ll need to expand beyond these templates, but they’ll help you get the conversation started — and sometimes that’s the hardest part.
Performance review comments about leadership
Phrases to use if your employee is meeting expectations…
- You stepped up to the plate to lead [team/project] to [result] .
- Your team has exceeded their goal to [objective] by [metric] .
- You took ownership when [problem/challenge] could’ve [undesirable result] . You turned things around to [desirable result] .
- Your team provided positive feedback about your ability to [responsibility] and [responsibility] .
- You’re always willing to speak up and contribute fresh ideas in team meetings. Your suggestion to [action] helped us [result] .
Phrases to use if your employee needs improvement…
- Your team could benefit from more [responsibility/quality].
- Over the next [time period], I’d like to see you step up and lead [project/task/objective].
Performance review comments about teamwork and collaboration
Phrases to use if your employee is meeting expectations…
- You did an excellent job collaborating with [person/department] to [result].
- You stepped in to help [person/department] when [problem].
- You bring [valuable skill/trait] to our team, and your contributions don’t go unnoticed.
Phrases to use if your employee needs improvement…
- I’ve noticed you struggle to collaborate when [situation].
- You tend to be [closed-minded/critical/disengaged/etc.] when presented with opinions that are different from your own, like when [specific example].
Performance review comments about communication
- You did a great job of keeping all of the necessary stakeholders in the loop when [situation].
- I’ve noticed that you’re particularly skilled at [specific communication competency].
- You’re never afraid to ask thoughtful questions, like you did when [situation].
- Our entire team benefits from your ability to [specific communication competency], which was especially helpful when [situation].
- I think your messages would be better received if you focused on [area of improvement].
- You tend to [communication habit or pet peeve] which can [negative result].
Performance review comments about problem solving
- You’re persistent about solving problems, and you were able to [unique solution] when we struggled to [problem].
- [Specific project] made it evident that you consider numerous solutions before choosing a way forward.
- You treat problems as learning opportunities, which has empowered our entire team to [positive result].
- When presented with an unexpected roadblock, I’d like to see you [area of improvement].
- You could benefit from [necessary problem-solving competency] before [result].
Performance review comments about growth and development
- In our previous review, we set a goal of [specific goal] and you surpassed that objective by [metric].
- I’ve seen you stretch yourself in new ways this past [timeframe] , like when you [task or achievement] and [task or achievement].
- You’ve expanded [skillset] , as demonstrated when [situation].
- I think it would serve you well to step outside of your comfort zone by [actionable task, goal, or expectation].
- In the next [timeframe] , I want to see you refine a new skill, such as [new skill].
6 other tips for top-notch performance reviews
Knowing how to get a performance conversation started is a huge piece of the puzzle. But, while the above templates and phrases are helpful, they won’t make for a successful performance review on their own.
Here are six more tips to equip your employees with meaningful feedback and actually empower them to improve.
1. Collect peer feedback
Honest criticisms and recognition from a manager is important. But, to truly give employees a holistic view of how they’re doing, collect feedback (this can be done anonymously) from an employee’s peers as well. As Gartner research shows , peer feedback can boost performance.
2. Avoid ganging up
Delivering peer feedback leads to a more well-rounded review, but be mindful of your language to avoid seeming like the entire team is ganging up on that employee. Phrases like, “Everybody says that…” or “The team has noticed…” can make your employee feel singled out.
3. Provide specific examples
You’ll notice that a lot of the templates and phrases above include spots where you should lean on specific examples. Those anecdotes will help support your point. Something like, “You stepped up to cover Sasha’s responsibilities when she needed to be out for a family emergency,” carries a lot more impact than a generic statement like, “You’re always willing to help team members.”
4. Don’t skip the positives
When the goal of your performance review is to help employees improve, it’s easy to place way too much emphasis on constructive criticism. But, employees also want to hear what they’re doing well. That’s why many of the phrases above help you deliver positive feedback to your direct reports. When only 26 percent of workers feel highly valued, keep in mind that they need to hear the good stuff too.
5. Remember to listen
Performance reviews should be a conversation — not your chance to dole out directions and criticisms to your employees without pausing. Make sure you ask questions about how they feel about their performance, what things they think they need to work on, and what goals they’d like to set moving forward. Keep those lines of communication open, so your employees don’t become one of the 67 percent of employees who don’t feel heard during reviews.
6. Check in frequently
Think a performance review is a good time to dump a bunch of feedback onto employees and send them on their way? Think again. The things you discuss in your performance reviews shouldn’t be a surprise, as you should be providing feedback to employees frequently. Make sure that you discuss performance regularly in your one-on-ones. That’s far more effective than overwhelming them with feedback once or twice per year.
Stressed about performance reviews? Take a deep breath
Performance reviews inspire nerves for both sides — the employee and the manager. That’s perfectly normal.
Fortunately, things become at least a little bit easier once you get the conversation rolling, and this guide can help. Use some of the templated phrases we outlined here with your own direct reports, and you’ll open up an honest discussion that helps your employees do their best work.
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Kat is a writer specializing in career, self-development, and productivity topics. When she escapes her computer, she enjoys reading, hiking, golfing, and dishing out tips for prospective freelancers on her website.
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How to Write a Review
Opinions: as half of the old saying goes, everyone’s got ‘em. Whether it’s on Twitter, on Yelp, or in Facebook posts from your great-aunt’s best friend, we’re constantly subjected to other people’s opinions—so if you want to share your take with a wider audience, it’s worthwhile to think about how to make it stand out. And if you zoom in on an opinion, build it out, and give it structure, you’ve got yourself a review.
You can review basically anything if you find the right outlet for it, but the best way to present your thoughts depends on what you’re writing about and who your audience is. But with most types of reviews, there’s a simple structure you can stick to in order to help you get started:
Before you write, make sure you know the general message you want to convey. A simple thesis will help keep your review from straying off-topic. This could be as straightforward as “I really liked this meal!” or as complex as “These shoes took a while to wear in.” Think to yourself: If I were telling a friend about this, what would I want their main takeaway to be?
2 Likes and dislikes
In the most glowing review, you may not include any dislikes. If the review is critical, try to find at least one positive to include, just to provide a break in between your incredible zings.
3 Your recommendation
A star rating may be the first thing most people see, but when folks skim your review, they’ll probably check the bottom for an idea of whether or not you’d recommend the meal, album, hike, or movie to others. You could also include a short explanation, like “I knocked it down one star because my utensils were dirty,” or “I’d recommend this play, but only if you’re as big of a musical theater buff as I am.”
If you need more direction, Grammarly has a few great places to start.
Writing a book review ? Grammarly has tips and tricks for how to keep your review informative, enlightening, and kind.
Remember that you’re reviewing a book that another human poured their heart and soul into to write. Express your honest opinion, but don’t be nasty about it. Imagine if it were your book being reviewed, how would you want a reader to express their critique?
If you’re writing a movie review , Grammarly can help keep you from getting too stressed about how to rate the film you just watched:
Rather than grasp for an arbitrary value, state plainly what a movie called to mind, or how it didn’t quite land with you, and explain why.
Writing a review of your new favorite restaurant ? You may need to paint a bigger picture of your experience than for the review of the tub of cheese puffs you ordered on Amazon.
Avoid vague words and phrases like “The service was bad” or “The pie was great.” Instead, provide specific details like, “The server was friendly but inexperienced and botched our drink order” or “The lemon meringue pie had a wonderfully flaky crust, a tart and tangy filling, and dreamy melt-in-your-mouth meringue.”
No matter what kind of review you’re writing, here are a few more quick tips:
- Judge the product, restaurant, escape room, or dog park for what it is. If you’re reviewing a McDonald’s, don’t complain about how you weren’t waited on hand and foot. Write your review based on reasonable expectations.
- Assume the best. You’re often assessing someone’s execution of their vision or product of their hard work, especially when it comes to art or food. You’re also more than likely writing this review on the internet, where the creator could probably find and see it in just a few clicks. We’re all human—assume the people who made this thing weren’t out to get you.
- Check your writing. Reviews reflect back on you, and readers might not take your opinion seriously if your spelling is all over the place or you use the word “ambiance” three times in one sentence. Grammarly can help you make sure your review is as effective as possible.
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10 Examples of Good Reviews for Company
No matter how good of a review-based star rating you have on your website it still needs to compare with a well-written review by a customer. A well-written customer review that describes their experience is what potential online shoppers are looking for when looking to buy a product/service online. However, there is a difference between […]
No matter how good of a review-based star rating you have on your website it still needs to compare with a well-written review by a customer. A well-written customer review that describes their experience is what potential online shoppers are looking for when looking to buy a product/service online.
However, there is a difference between a review that is left unresponded and one that is appropriately responded to. Responding to reviews makes them even more powerful and helps minimize the bad impact of negative reviews.
In this article, our online business reputation management experts from Trust Analytica will share insights on how to work with online reviews. Keep reading to know why positive reviews are important, and the best way to respond to positive reviews. In addition to this, we will also share 10 examples of good reviews for the company.
What is a Review?
Reviews are great little tidbits of knowledge that help us to gain perspective and evaluate our potential purchases. From ordering the next must-have video game to visiting a great new restaurant, reviews can help us make those decisions with greater confidence, as we hear others’ perspectives on the product or service in question.
Reviews are valuable pieces of information that allow us to get advice before we take the plunge and commit our money to something that may or may not be worth it. It is always wise to read reviews before you purchase anything. Reviews help build the best company persona that is not just realistic but also doesn’t contain any fluffs or fillers.
What are Types of Reviews
many different types of reviews can make or break a company’s online reputation? Whether it’s movie reviews, restaurant reviews, or product reviews, getting the opinion of someone who has experienced a service or item first-hand is invaluable.
Reviews can take many forms – online reviews, written reviews in publications, or even word-of-mouth recommendations from a friend. Regardless of the type or source of a review being sought, they can be incredibly helpful in providing insight into what other customers have thought about a product or service, as well as ensuring that would-be buyers make an informed decision when making their purchase.
There are two basic types of reviews, Good Reviews , and Bad Reviews . Keep reading to know what makes a good review and how it impacts a company’s sales.
Examples of Reviews
Here is the basic difference between a Good Review and a Bad Review :
What Makes a Good Review
A good review is not that one that shows a five-star rating because it can be fake or forced and it doesn’t reveal a customer experience. A star rating only tells a potential online shopper that his experience with the company was good without revealing the HOW and WHY of the experience which is why reviews that only have ratings are not so helpful for the readers.
A good review explains why the customer enjoyed your business. This helps prospects understand what specifically sets your business apart from the competition.
Here is an example of a great review:
A good review should describe various aspects of the customer experience. Did the customer receive fantastic customer service? Was an employee particularly helpful, and did the customer leave the employee’s name in the review? Did the customer mention other elements of the customer experience, like a great website that was easy to use?
How can Responding to Reviews Make your Reviews More Relevant and Impactful?
Did a review give you a high star rating but mentioned some negative experiences in the review response ? This is a valuable opportunity to show how your business responds to feedback. Thank the customer for their response and explain the steps you are taking to improve. This will likely make the customer even happier, and show prospects that you are always working to improve your business.
How to Respond to Positive Reviews – 7 Examples
Here are some of the best positive review examples and the correct way to respond to these reviews:
Example # 01: Be creative and Personal
Creative and personal reviews not only increase the visibility of a business but also establish its credibility. Responding to reviews means that you read customer reviews and value customer feedback. When customers and prospects feel like they know the business owner, they are more inclined to return to the same business time and time again.
Example 2: Respond quickly
few businesses are better than JetBlue when it comes to responding to customer feedback. JetBlue proves that your business’s response doesn’t need to be long-winded. Even a quick thanks goes a long way.
quick response to review
JetBlue is also great at responding to negative feedback. When a passenger complained about their broken television screen on Twitter, JetBlue responded instantly. This opened up a personalized conversation, and both parties could come to a solution.
Example 3: Personalize your positive reviews
Doing a straight copy and paste from positive review response examples can feel automated and cold, which comes across as insincere to your customers. You don’t want your customers to think that you aren’t genuinely interested in what they have to say.
The way to avoid coming across this is by personalizing your reviews. The easiest way to personalize your review is by mentioning the customer’s name in your review.
Example 4: Use humor
How can you turn a negative review into a positive one? Use humor in your response! Instead of this sandwich shop getting discouraged by negative reviews it used them for marketing content.
Putting a lighthearted spin on one customer’s rant got them a lot of attention. This chalkboard not only shows passersby that the business has a fun vibe but also proves that the owners read their customers’ feedback. Using humor when responding to both positive and negative reviews is a great way to show your business’s personality and grab customers’ attention.
Example 5: Vibe with the Reviewer
A guaranteed way to make your customers feel appreciated is by matching their energy. Instead of saying a dry thank you, you should make your positive review response dynamic. Replying with only a thank you makes your customer feel that you didn’t see anything noteworthy in their review.
Example 6: Recognize the Staff
Positive reviews are a great way to boost employee morale and keep your team motivated to deliver awesome experiences every day. In this review of Hard Rock Cafe, the customer mentioned the fantastic waitress they had by name. Take a look at how Hard Rock Cafe responded to that positive review:
Example 7: Don’t shy away from adding Personality to Your Review
When you respond to reviews, don’t be afraid to show your company’s brand! This will make customers more excited to engage with your business. The hair dye company oVertone does a great job at using its brand personality in every response. Every employee is free to use emojis and includes their favorite shade of hair dye as a sign-off signature.
However, if you are too busy and dont have the time or a big-enough team to give a personalized response to each review, you can also use the following review templates.
Positive Review Response Templates
Hi [CUSTOMER NAME], Your kind words about our [PRODUCT/SERVICE NAME] are appreciated. We love making our customer’s days and we can’t wait to have the opportunity to make you smile again! Thanks for choosing us!
We’ve passed your wonderful review onto our team at [LOCATION], [CUSTOMER NAME]. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review about our [SERVICE]. Our customer feedback guides our business and helps us keep improving the service we provide. We look forward to delivering another excellent experience to you next time you visit one of our stores. Thanks for choosing to shop with us!
Thanks for the awesome review about our [PRODUCT], [CUSTOMER NAME]. We’re so pleased to hear it’s working just as it should and that you’re enjoying it so much! We’ve passed your kind words on to our product team. If there is anything else we can do, please let us know. We hope to see you in our [LOCATION] store again when you next need a [PRODUCT].
Why are Positive Reviews Important?
Positive reviews are essential for businesses to succeed in a highly competitive market. Here are some of the most important benefits of positive reviews.
Increase Revenues
Numerous potential customers read through reviews before making important buying decisions and if those reviews paint an overwhelmingly positive picture, the chances of driving sales skyrocket. According to research positive reviews are one of the most important factors in deciding whether a customer will make a purchase or disown their online shopping cart.
Improve Company Reputation
By giving customers honest opinions from previous buyers and encouraging them to share their feedback, businesses build trust and eventually their brand presence. Positive reviews are also used as evidence for other potential buyers and give them the confidence needed when it comes to investing their hard-earned money in quality products or services. Reviews about your work provide another metric for knowing how much people favor it and if there are still areas of improvement that you must strive to bridge.
Benefit Your Search Engine Rankings
The age-old adage that “all press is good press” doesn’t necessarily hold for search engine ranking these days, as positive reviews can have a powerful impact on the way you are represented in search engine queries.
Through complex algorithms based on artificial intelligence, search engines evaluate your page or website based on its popularity and relevancy as it relates to the keyword you want to rank for.
Generally speaking, websites with higher ratings from consumers will tend to be ranked higher in search engine results since they act as a positive signal for search engines like Google. So when a customer writes a great review about the product or services you offer, that gives your website a bonus!
Most Popular Platforms for Online Reviews
One way to get more reviews is to create a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This profile provides a place for customers to leave their reviews, and it also allows you to respond to them. Creating a profile is simple and only takes a few minutes. Once your profile is created, be sure to encourage your customers to leave their reviews. With a little effort, you can soon have a steady stream of customer reviews on the most popular search engine in the world.
Facebook is another great platform for businesses to get customer reviews. With nearly three billion users, it’s become the most popular social media platform in the world. This means that reviews left on Facebook have a good chance of being seen by the people in your service area.
TripAdvisor
reviews help modern travelers make informed decisions based on feedback from other customers. The modern traveler is more aware of advertising techniques, so they’re often unconvinced that the experience they will receive at your hotel is as good as the one you promise.
Because of this, they read online reviews, to learn about other travelers’ experiences, as a way of trying your service before they buy. Then, they make an informed decision about whether to stay at your hotel or not.
is a platform for people. Every month, people share over 3 million reviews on Trustpilot to help each other find great companies and make better buying decisions. More than just a rating, Trustpilot stars signify to the world that people love your company and you love them right back.
How Trust Analytica Can Help You!
Responding to every customer review is easier said than done. Our experts understand that managing a business’s online reputation and responding to each review can be very hectic therefore our experts have created this AI-based reputation management tool to help you manage your reviews.
Trust Analytica helps you keep track and respond to each review on multiple different platforms through just one customized platform. TrustAnalytica’s review automation software is the right tool that you need to improve your online reputation and take the next step in your business. So what are you waiting for? Subscribe to one of our packages and take a smart approach to manage your online business right now!
What are some examples of positive feedback for a company?
Positive review feedback helps other customers understand that a company cares about its customers. A good exemplary response is to say thanks to the customer and appreciate them for taking the time to review your service/product.
How do you write good feedback for a company?
To write good feedback for a review you must first analyze what the customer wants to say and then accordingly answer each question from the customer in a constructive way.
What should a 5-star review say?
A 5-star review generally says good things about a customer experience with a certain company. However, a good response to a detailed 5-star review is even more impactful than reviews with just ratings.
What are positive reviews?
Any review that has 4-5 stars and gives positive feedback about a customer experience with the company is positive.
What is the three positive feedback?
Positive feedback helps customers understand that the company cares about each customer and they do appreciate their responses. You can check out this blog to look for three positive feedback along with templates for responding to positive reviews.
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Blog – Posted on Friday, Mar 29
17 book review examples to help you write the perfect review.
It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?
As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites , in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!
In this post, we compiled 17 prototypical book review examples in multiple genres to help you figure out how to write the perfect review . If you want to jump straight to the examples, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, let’s first check out what makes up a good review.
Are you interested in becoming a book reviewer? We recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can earn money for writing reviews — and are guaranteed people will read your reviews! To register as a book reviewer, sign up here.
Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:
Should you become a book reviewer?
Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!
What must a book review contain?
Like all works of art, no two book reviews will be identical. But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark. (However, this may vary depending on the platform on which you’re writing, as we’ll see later.)
In addition, all reviews share some universal elements, as shown in our book review templates . These include:
- A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book.
- A book review will offer an evaluation of the work.
- A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience.
If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache. This will differ from platform to platform, of course. A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.
Keeping that in mind, let’s proceed to some book review examples to put all of this in action.
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Book review examples for fiction books
Since story is king in the world of fiction, it probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that a book review for a novel will concentrate on how well the story was told .
That said, book reviews in all genres follow the same basic formula that we discussed earlier. In these examples, you’ll be able to see how book reviewers on different platforms expertly intertwine the plot summary and their personal opinions of the book to produce a clear, informative, and concise review.
Note: Some of the book review examples run very long. If a book review is truncated in this post, we’ve indicated by including a […] at the end, but you can always read the entire review if you click on the link provided.
Examples of literary fiction book reviews
Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man :
An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.
His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an "invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel, is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity and power.
This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his style. Watch it.
Lyndsey reviews George Orwell’s 1984 on Goodreads:
YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good." Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.
This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.
I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully. […]
The New York Times reviews Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry :
Three-quarters of the way through Lisa Halliday’s debut novel, “Asymmetry,” a British foreign correspondent named Alistair is spending Christmas on a compound outside of Baghdad. His fellow revelers include cameramen, defense contractors, United Nations employees and aid workers. Someone’s mother has FedExed a HoneyBaked ham from Maine; people are smoking by the swimming pool. It is 2003, just days after Saddam Hussein’s capture, and though the mood is optimistic, Alistair is worrying aloud about the ethics of his chosen profession, wondering if reporting on violence doesn’t indirectly abet violence and questioning why he’d rather be in a combat zone than reading a picture book to his son. But every time he returns to London, he begins to “spin out.” He can’t go home. “You observe what people do with their freedom — what they don’t do — and it’s impossible not to judge them for it,” he says.
The line, embedded unceremoniously in the middle of a page-long paragraph, doubles, like so many others in “Asymmetry,” as literary criticism. Halliday’s novel is so strange and startlingly smart that its mere existence seems like commentary on the state of fiction. One finishes “Asymmetry” for the first or second (or like this reader, third) time and is left wondering what other writers are not doing with their freedom — and, like Alistair, judging them for it.
Despite its title, “Asymmetry” comprises two seemingly unrelated sections of equal length, appended by a slim and quietly shocking coda. Halliday’s prose is clean and lean, almost reportorial in the style of W. G. Sebald, and like the murmurings of a shy person at a cocktail party, often comic only in single clauses. It’s a first novel that reads like the work of an author who has published many books over many years. […]
Emily W. Thompson reviews Michael Doane's The Crossing on Reedsy Discovery :
In Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.
An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl.
Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.
The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.
As he crosses the country, The Narrator connects with several unique personalities whose experiences and views deeply impact his own. Duke, the complicated cowboy and drifter, who opens The Narrator’s eyes to a larger world. Zooey, the waitress in Colorado who opens his heart and reminds him that love can be found in this big world. And Rosie, The Narrator’s sweet landlady in Portland, who helps piece him back together both physically and emotionally.
This supporting cast of characters is excellent. Duke, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. He’s a throwback to another time, a man without a cell phone who reads Sartre and sleeps under the stars. Yet he’s also a grifter with a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude that harms those around him. It’s fascinating to watch The Narrator wrestle with Duke’s behavior, trying to determine which to model and which to discard.
Doane creates a relatable protagonist in The Narrator, whose personal growth doesn’t erase his faults. His willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable, and he’s prescient enough to recognize the jealousy of those who cannot or will not take the leap. His encounters with new foods, places, and people broaden his horizons. Yet his immaturity and selfishness persist. He tells Rosie she’s been a good mother to him but chooses to ignore the continuing concern from his own parents as he effectively disappears from his old life.
Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.
The Book Smugglers review Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls :
I am still dipping my toes into the literally fiction pool, finding what works for me and what doesn’t. Books like The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray are definitely my cup of tea.
Althea and Proctor Cochran had been pillars of their economically disadvantaged community for years – with their local restaurant/small market and their charity drives. Until they are found guilty of fraud for stealing and keeping most of the money they raised and sent to jail. Now disgraced, their entire family is suffering the consequences, specially their twin teenage daughters Baby Vi and Kim. To complicate matters even more: Kim was actually the one to call the police on her parents after yet another fight with her mother. […]
Examples of children’s and YA fiction book reviews
The Book Hookup reviews Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give :
♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle the voice of a movement like Black Lives Matter, but I do know that Thomas did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion, The Hate U Give is a crucially important portrayal of the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly many) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk in a POC’s shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start.
In Angie Thomas’s debut novel, Starr Carter bursts on to the YA scene with both heart-wrecking and heartwarming sincerity. This author is definitely one to watch.
♥ Review: The hype around this book has been unquestionable and, admittedly, that made me both eager to get my hands on it and terrified to read it. I mean, what if I was to be the one person that didn’t love it as much as others? (That seems silly now because of how truly mesmerizing THUG was in the most heartbreakingly realistic way.) However, with the relevancy of its summary in regards to the unjust predicaments POC currently face in the US, I knew this one was a must-read, so I was ready to set my fears aside and dive in. That said, I had an altogether more personal, ulterior motive for wanting to read this book. […]
The New York Times reviews Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood :
Alice Crewe (a last name she’s chosen for herself) is a fairy tale legacy: the granddaughter of Althea Proserpine, author of a collection of dark-as-night fairy tales called “Tales From the Hinterland.” The book has a cult following, and though Alice has never met her grandmother, she’s learned a little about her through internet research. She hasn’t read the stories, because her mother, Ella Proserpine, forbids it.
Alice and Ella have moved from place to place in an attempt to avoid the “bad luck” that seems to follow them. Weird things have happened. As a child, Alice was kidnapped by a man who took her on a road trip to find her grandmother; he was stopped by the police before they did so. When at 17 she sees that man again, unchanged despite the years, Alice panics. Then Ella goes missing, and Alice turns to Ellery Finch, a schoolmate who’s an Althea Proserpine superfan, for help in tracking down her mother. Not only has Finch read every fairy tale in the collection, but handily, he remembers them, sharing them with Alice as they journey to the mysterious Hazel Wood, the estate of her now-dead grandmother, where they hope to find Ella.
“The Hazel Wood” starts out strange and gets stranger, in the best way possible. (The fairy stories Finch relays, which Albert includes as their own chapters, are as creepy and evocative as you’d hope.) Albert seamlessly combines contemporary realism with fantasy, blurring the edges in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is false, where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a very good book. It’s a captivating debut. […]
James reviews Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon on Goodreads:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of the books that followers of my blog voted as a must-read for our Children's Book August 2018 Readathon. Come check it out and join the next few weeks!
This picture book was such a delight. I hadn't remembered reading it when I was a child, but it might have been read to me... either way, it was like a whole new experience! It's always so difficult to convince a child to fall asleep at night. I don't have kids, but I do have a 5-month-old puppy who whines for 5 minutes every night when he goes in his cage/crate (hopefully he'll be fully housebroken soon so he can roam around when he wants). I can only imagine! I babysat a lot as a teenager and I have tons of younger cousins, nieces, and nephews, so I've been through it before, too. This was a believable experience, and it really helps show kids how to relax and just let go when it's time to sleep.
The bunny's are adorable. The rhymes are exquisite. I found it pretty fun, but possibly a little dated given many of those things aren't normal routines anymore. But the lessons to take from it are still powerful. Loved it! I want to sample some more books by this fine author and her illustrators.
Publishers Weekly reviews Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine :
This funny, thoroughly accomplished debut opens with two words: “I’m moving.” They’re spoken by the title character while she swoons across her family’s ottoman, and because Geraldine is a giraffe, her full-on melancholy mode is quite a spectacle. But while Geraldine may be a drama queen (even her mother says so), it won’t take readers long to warm up to her. The move takes Geraldine from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. “Even my voice tries to hide,” she says, in the book’s most poignant moment. “It’s gotten quiet and whispery.” Then she meets Cassie, who, though human, is also an outlier (“I’m that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food”), and things begin to look up.
Lilly’s watercolor-and-ink drawings are as vividly comic and emotionally astute as her writing; just when readers think there are no more ways for Geraldine to contort her long neck, this highly promising talent comes up with something new.
Examples of genre fiction book reviews
Karlyn P reviews Nora Roberts’ Dark Witch , a paranormal romance novel , on Goodreads:
4 stars. Great world-building, weak romance, but still worth the read.
I hesitate to describe this book as a 'romance' novel simply because the book spent little time actually exploring the romance between Iona and Boyle. Sure, there IS a romance in this novel. Sprinkled throughout the book are a few scenes where Iona and Boyle meet, chat, wink at each, flirt some more, sleep together, have a misunderstanding, make up, and then profess their undying love. Very formulaic stuff, and all woven around the more important parts of this book.
The meat of this book is far more focused on the story of the Dark witch and her magically-gifted descendants living in Ireland. Despite being weak on the romance, I really enjoyed it. I think the book is probably better for it, because the romance itself was pretty lackluster stuff.
I absolutely plan to stick with this series as I enjoyed the world building, loved the Ireland setting, and was intrigued by all of the secondary characters. However, If you read Nora Roberts strictly for the romance scenes, this one might disappoint. But if you enjoy a solid background story with some dark magic and prophesies, you might enjoy it as much as I did.
I listened to this one on audio, and felt the narration was excellent.
Emily May reviews R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy Wars , an epic fantasy novel , on Goodreads:
“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”
Holy hell, what did I just read??
➽ A fantasy military school
➽ A rich world based on modern Chinese history
➽ Shamans and gods
➽ Detailed characterization leading to unforgettable characters
➽ Adorable, opium-smoking mentors
That's a basic list, but this book is all of that and SO MUCH MORE. I know 100% that The Poppy War will be one of my best reads of 2018.
Isn't it just so great when you find one of those books that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat for every horrific, nail-biting moment of it? This is one of those books for me. And I must issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Proceed with caution (or not at all) if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of war, drug use and addiction, genocide, racism, sexism, ableism, self-harm, torture, and rape (off-page but extremely horrific).
Because, despite the fairly innocuous first 200 pages, the title speaks the truth: this is a book about war. All of its horrors and atrocities. It is not sugar-coated, and it is often graphic. The "poppy" aspect refers to opium, which is a big part of this book. It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking.
Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry’s Freefall , a crime novel:
In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it’s a more subtle process, and that’s OK too. So where does Freefall fit into the sliding scale?
In truth, it’s not clear. This is a novel with a thrilling concept at its core. A woman survives plane crash, then runs for her life. However, it is the subtleties at play that will draw you in like a spider beckoning to an unwitting fly.
Like the heroine in Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, Allison is lucky to be alive. She was the only passenger in a private plane, belonging to her fiancé, Ben, who was piloting the expensive aircraft, when it came down in woodlands in the Colorado Rockies. Ally is also the only survivor, but rather than sitting back and waiting for rescue, she is soon pulling together items that may help her survive a little longer – first aid kit, energy bars, warm clothes, trainers – before fleeing the scene. If you’re hearing the faint sound of alarm bells ringing, get used to it. There’s much, much more to learn about Ally before this tale is over.
Kirkus Reviews reviews Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One , a science-fiction novel :
Video-game players embrace the quest of a lifetime in a virtual world; screenwriter Cline’s first novel is old wine in new bottles.
The real world, in 2045, is the usual dystopian horror story. So who can blame Wade, our narrator, if he spends most of his time in a virtual world? The 18-year-old, orphaned at 11, has no friends in his vertical trailer park in Oklahoma City, while the OASIS has captivating bells and whistles, and it’s free. Its creator, the legendary billionaire James Halliday, left a curious will. He had devised an elaborate online game, a hunt for a hidden Easter egg. The finder would inherit his estate. Old-fashioned riddles lead to three keys and three gates. Wade, or rather his avatar Parzival, is the first gunter (egg-hunter) to win the Copper Key, first of three.
Halliday was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s, primarily the arcade games, so the novel is as much retro as futurist. Parzival’s great strength is that he has absorbed all Halliday’s obsessions; he knows by heart three essential movies, crossing the line from geek to freak. His most formidable competitors are the Sixers, contract gunters working for the evil conglomerate IOI, whose goal is to acquire the OASIS. Cline’s narrative is straightforward but loaded with exposition. It takes a while to reach a scene that crackles with excitement: the meeting between Parzival (now world famous as the lead contender) and Sorrento, the head of IOI. The latter tries to recruit Parzival; when he fails, he issues and executes a death threat. Wade’s trailer is demolished, his relatives killed; luckily Wade was not at home. Too bad this is the dramatic high point. Parzival threads his way between more ’80s games and movies to gain the other keys; it’s clever but not exciting. Even a romance with another avatar and the ultimate “epic throwdown” fail to stir the blood.
Too much puzzle-solving, not enough suspense.
Book review examples for non-fiction books
Nonfiction books are generally written to inform readers about a certain topic. As such, the focus of a nonfiction book review will be on the clarity and effectiveness of this communication . In carrying this out, a book review may analyze the author’s source materials and assess the thesis in order to determine whether or not the book meets expectations.
Again, we’ve included abbreviated versions of long reviews here, so feel free to click on the link to read the entire piece!
The Washington Post reviews David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon :
The arc of David Grann’s career reminds one of a software whiz-kid or a latest-thing talk-show host — certainly not an investigative reporter, even if he is one of the best in the business. The newly released movie of his first book, “The Lost City of Z,” is generating all kinds of Oscar talk, and now comes the release of his second book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film rights to which have already been sold for $5 million in what one industry journal called the “biggest and wildest book rights auction in memory.”
Grann deserves the attention. He’s canny about the stories he chases, he’s willing to go anywhere to chase them, and he’s a maestro in his ability to parcel out information at just the right clip: a hint here, a shading of meaning there, a smartly paced buildup of multiple possibilities followed by an inevitable reversal of readerly expectations or, in some cases, by a thrilling and dislocating pull of the entire narrative rug.
All of these strengths are on display in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Around the turn of the 20th century, oil was discovered underneath Osage lands in the Oklahoma Territory, lands that were soon to become part of the state of Oklahoma. Through foresight and legal maneuvering, the Osage found a way to permanently attach that oil to themselves and shield it from the prying hands of white interlopers; this mechanism was known as “headrights,” which forbade the outright sale of oil rights and granted each full member of the tribe — and, supposedly, no one else — a share in the proceeds from any lease arrangement. For a while, the fail-safes did their job, and the Osage got rich — diamond-ring and chauffeured-car and imported-French-fashion rich — following which quite a large group of white men started to work like devils to separate the Osage from their money. And soon enough, and predictably enough, this work involved murder. Here in Jazz Age America’s most isolated of locales, dozens or even hundreds of Osage in possession of great fortunes — and of the potential for even greater fortunes in the future — were dispatched by poison, by gunshot and by dynamite. […]
Stacked Books reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers :
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Friends and co-workers tell me that his subjects are interesting and his writing style is easy to follow without talking down to the reader. I wasn’t disappointed with Outliers. In it, Gladwell tackles the subject of success – how people obtain it and what contributes to extraordinary success as opposed to everyday success.
The thesis – that our success depends much more on circumstances out of our control than any effort we put forth – isn’t exactly revolutionary. Most of us know it to be true. However, I don’t think I’m lying when I say that most of us also believe that we if we just try that much harder and develop our talent that much further, it will be enough to become wildly successful, despite bad or just mediocre beginnings. Not so, says Gladwell.
Most of the evidence Gladwell gives us is anecdotal, which is my favorite kind to read. I can’t really speak to how scientifically valid it is, but it sure makes for engrossing listening. For example, did you know that successful hockey players are almost all born in January, February, or March? Kids born during these months are older than the others kids when they start playing in the youth leagues, which means they’re already better at the game (because they’re bigger). Thus, they get more play time, which means their skill increases at a faster rate, and it compounds as time goes by. Within a few years, they’re much, much better than the kids born just a few months later in the year. Basically, these kids’ birthdates are a huge factor in their success as adults – and it’s nothing they can do anything about. If anyone could make hockey interesting to a Texan who only grudgingly admits the sport even exists, it’s Gladwell. […]
Quill and Quire reviews Rick Prashaw’s Soar, Adam, Soar :
Ten years ago, I read a book called Almost Perfect. The young-adult novel by Brian Katcher won some awards and was held up as a powerful, nuanced portrayal of a young trans person. But the reality did not live up to the book’s billing. Instead, it turned out to be a one-dimensional and highly fetishized portrait of a trans person’s life, one that was nevertheless repeatedly dubbed “realistic” and “affecting” by non-transgender readers possessing only a vague, mass-market understanding of trans experiences.
In the intervening decade, trans narratives have emerged further into the literary spotlight, but those authored by trans people ourselves – and by trans men in particular – have seemed to fall under the shadow of cisgender sensationalized imaginings. Two current Canadian releases – Soar, Adam, Soar and This One Looks Like a Boy – provide a pointed object lesson into why trans-authored work about transgender experiences remains critical.
To be fair, Soar, Adam, Soar isn’t just a story about a trans man. It’s also a story about epilepsy, the medical establishment, and coming of age as seen through a grieving father’s eyes. Adam, Prashaw’s trans son, died unexpectedly at age 22. Woven through the elder Prashaw’s narrative are excerpts from Adam’s social media posts, giving us glimpses into the young man’s interior life as he traverses his late teens and early 20s. […]
Book Geeks reviews Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love :
WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5
SUBJECT: 4/5
CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5
RELEVANCE: 3.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5
“Eat Pray Love” is so popular that it is almost impossible to not read it. Having felt ashamed many times on my not having read this book, I quietly ordered the book (before I saw the movie) from amazon.in and sat down to read it. I don’t remember what I expected it to be – maybe more like a chick lit thing but it turned out quite different. The book is a real story and is a short journal from the time when its writer went travelling to three different countries in pursuit of three different things – Italy (Pleasure), India (Spirituality), Bali (Balance) and this is what corresponds to the book’s name – EAT (in Italy), PRAY (in India) and LOVE (in Bali, Indonesia). These are also the three Is – ITALY, INDIA, INDONESIA.
Though she had everything a middle-aged American woman can aspire for – MONEY, CAREER, FRIENDS, HUSBAND; Elizabeth was not happy in her life, she wasn’t happy in her marriage. Having suffered a terrible divorce and terrible breakup soon after, Elizabeth was shattered. She didn’t know where to go and what to do – all she knew was that she wanted to run away. So she set out on a weird adventure – she will go to three countries in a year and see if she can find out what she was looking for in life. This book is about that life changing journey that she takes for one whole year. […]
Emily May reviews Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Goodreads:
Look, I'm not a happy crier. I might cry at songs about leaving and missing someone; I might cry at books where things don't work out; I might cry at movies where someone dies. I've just never really understood why people get all choked up over happy, inspirational things. But Michelle Obama's kindness and empathy changed that. This book had me in tears for all the right reasons.
This is not really a book about politics, though political experiences obviously do come into it. It's a shame that some will dismiss this book because of a difference in political opinion, when it is really about a woman's life. About growing up poor and black on the South Side of Chicago; about getting married and struggling to maintain that marriage; about motherhood; about being thrown into an amazing and terrifying position.
I hate words like "inspirational" because they've become so overdone and cheesy, but I just have to say it-- Michelle Obama is an inspiration. I had the privilege of seeing her speak at The Forum in Inglewood, and she is one of the warmest, funniest, smartest, down-to-earth people I have ever seen in this world.
And yes, I know we present what we want the world to see, but I truly do think it's genuine. I think she is someone who really cares about people - especially kids - and wants to give them better lives and opportunities.
She's obviously intelligent, but she also doesn't gussy up her words. She talks straight, with an openness and honesty rarely seen. She's been one of the most powerful women in the world, she's been a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, she's had her own successful career, and yet she has remained throughout that same girl - Michelle Robinson - from a working class family in Chicago.
I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book.
Hopefully, this post has given you a better idea of how to write a book review. You might be wondering how to put all of this knowledge into action now! Many book reviewers start out by setting up a book blog. If you don’t have time to research the intricacies of HTML, check out Reedsy Discovery — where you can read indie books for free and review them without going through the hassle of creating a blog. To register as a book reviewer , go here .
And if you’d like to see even more book review examples, simply go to this directory of book review blogs and click on any one of them to see a wealth of good book reviews. Beyond that, it's up to you to pick up a book and pen — and start reviewing!
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Learn to Speak English Confidently
How to write a review in english.
Types of Reviews: 4 Main Categories to Write About
- Practical Tips forWriting a Good Review
- The General Structure forWriting a Review
All You Need to Know About Positive and Negative Reviews
How to write good reviews: useful phrases, best ways to respond to the review.
- Learn the BestReview Writing Tips with Promova
Writing a review can be a great way to share your experiences and opinions with others, whether you’re reviewing a product, service, restaurant, movie, or book. Reviews can also be a valuable resource for people trying to make purchasing or entertainment decisions. However, it can be challenging, especially if English is not your first language. This article will tell you how to write a review and provide helpful tips, including valuable vocabulary and phrases for positive and negative reviews.
In the modern world of the Internet, we can hardly do anything without reading other people’s opinions. So we visit websites like the well-known TrustPilot to find companies and products we can trust. And you don’t have to be a critic to write a good review. It is enough to share your honest opinion about what you want to discuss. But before doing it, let’s see the main types of reviews you can write.
- Product reviews. It includes every physical item you can buy, use, and review afterward – for example, clothes, make-up products, electronics, household appliances, etc.
- Service reviews. This category includes different services – hotels, restaurants, airlines, beauty salons, cars and apartment rentals , etc.
- Entertainment reviews. You can share your thoughts about concerts, festivals, galleries, museums, movies, games, etc.
- App and program reviews. As you can guess from its name, you can review online applications, video games, software, etc.
We can continue this list indefinitely, but you have already got the point. You can share your thoughts about anything. But today, we want to tell you how to write a great review. And we will start with some general tips that can help you be honest and respectful when sharing your opinion about things you like or dislike. So keep reading to find out more.
Practical Tips for Writing a Good Review
Even if you don’t like the product you will review, you still need to be respectful and polite. To achieve this, we’ve prepared a list of useful tips that will help you master any review, regardless of your proficiency level or attitude toward the things you discuss. Here are some of them.
- Be honest. Your review should be a fair reflection of your experience, whether it was positive or negative. Avoid exaggerating or downplaying it, and try to provide an objective assessment of the product or service.
- Use specific examples and details to support your opinion. It will make your review more informative and credible.
- Avoid being too vague or too specific. Be descriptive enough to give readers an idea of what to expect, but avoid going into unnecessary detail.
- Write for your audience. Consider your audience and what they might be looking for in a review. For example, if you’re leaving a comment on a restaurant, your audience might be interested in the food, atmosphere, and service.
- Edit and proofread your review. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your text is easy to read.
Now that you know how to write great reviews and remain polite and respectful, it is time to discuss some grammar. And the first thing we will explore is the general structure of any review. It will simplify your life and help you easily share your thoughts about anything.
The General Structure for Writing a Review
So, you’ve decided to write a review, but you have no idea where to start and how to end it. If it’s familiar to you, keep reading. Below, you will find an indicative structure suitable for different types of reviews.
- Start with an introduction that gives an overview of what you’re talking about and sets the stage for your review. You can provide some background information and context if necessary.
- Describe the product, service, or experience that you’re reviewing. This is where you can submit more detailed information about the features, benefits, and drawbacks.
- Share your opinion about the product or service. Here you can honestly assess what you liked and disliked and why.
- Wrap up your review with a conclusion, summarizing your main points and providing a final recommendation. You can also suggest who might benefit from the product or service, or who might want to avoid it.
These are some general tips on how to give a review. And now, it is time to be more specific. We’ve already mentioned that reviews can be positive or negative. But what is the difference between them? Let’s find out together.
Positive reviews are generally written when you got some good experience with the product or service you are discussing. The tone of such a review is primarily upbeat and enthusiastic, and the purpose of it is to share the positive aspects of the product or service with others.
On the other hand, we write negative reviews to discuss a bad experience with something. These reviews sound more critical and sometimes frustrating or angry. They are usually made to warn others about the adverse aspects of the product or service. Negative thoughts often highlight the product or service’s flaws, poor quality, or lack of value for money.
When writing a review, it’s essential to remember that both positive and negative reviews can be helpful to others, as long as they are honest and informative. So, whether you like or dislike the product, focus on providing specific examples and details to support your opinion, and be respectful and fair in your assessment.
To make this article even more valuable, we’ve provided you with some common phrases you can use for writing reviews. Here are the expressions and sentences suitable for introductions, descriptions, and sharing a personal opinion.
- I recently tried out…
This phrase is an excellent way to start a review, whether it is positive or negative. As we said, it is always better to start with the introduction, and this sentence will immediately show your readers what product you’re talking about. For example:
I recently tried out the new Maybelline mascara and was surprised by its quality.
I recently tried this overhyped application, which wasn’t as good as I expected.
- I had high hopes for this product, and I was/wasn’t disappointed.
This phrase is another excellent choice if you still don’t know how to write review introductions. You can use it for both good and bad experiences. For example:
I had high hopes for this serum, and I wasn’t disappointed. My skin has never been clearer.
I had high hopes for the new season of Game of Thrones, and honestly, I was slightly disappointed.
- The quality of the product/service is exceptional.
Now it is time to move to the next stage of our review – description. This phrase suits positive experiences when complimenting a product or service. For example:
I visited the Boho restaurant yesterday, and I was impressed. The quality of the service and food is exceptional.
We stayed at this hotel years ago, but I still remember that the quality of service was exceptional.
- I was impressed by the attention to detail.
This phrase is also suitable for the description part of the structure. And, as you can guess, it is ideal for positive reviews on physical products, apps, or entertainment. For example:
I’ve recently visited a new gallery in New York and was impressed by the attention to detail.
I’ve installed this app recently and was impressed by the attention to detail.
- In my opinion, this product/service is…
How do I write a review based on my personal experience? Start with this phrase! It will show the readers that you only share your thoughts and don’t try to impose your opinion on someone. For example:
In my opinion, this restaurant is terrible. I was shocked by the rude service and tasteless food.
In my opinion, this app is perfect for those who are trying to learn English.
Now you know how to write reviews about anything. But what if you are the person who receives these opinions? Of course, we can’t forget about business owners or product creators. Here is a list of useful phrases you can use to respond to both positive and negative reviews.
- Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
- We appreciate your feedback.
- Thank you for choosing our business.
- We’re sorry you had a negative experience with our service. We want to learn more about what happened so that we can improve.
- We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed our product. We take pride in providing high-quality products to our customers.
- We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused during your visit. We strive to provide a positive experience for all of our customers.
- We’d like to make things right. Please contact us directly to discuss how we can make this up to you.
- We’re currently working on improving the issue you’ve mentioned. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
- We’d like to offer you a discount or free service to make up for any inconvenience caused.
- We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
- Thank you again for your feedback. It helps us improve our business.
- We appreciate your patronage and look forward to seeing you again soon.
These simple sentences show that you care about your business, whether you provide travel services or create mobile software. People always like companies that listen to different opinions and try their best to meet customers’ needs.
Learn the Best Review Writing Tips with Promova
One of the most important things about writing reviews in English is to make them grammatically correct and easy to read. In addition, you must have strong writing skills in order to effectively express your ideas and avoid misunderstandings. So how do you write a review if you are not yet fluent in English? In this case, you might need some professional help.
If you still struggle to find the best language learning platform to practice your English level, we are happy to help you. With Promova, you can find many solutions depending on your studying goals, fluency level, and other factors. Let’s see some of the most valuable things on the Promova website.
- Personal and group lessons. Our team of professional tutors is happy to help you master English and enjoy your studying process at the same time. All you need to do is pass a fluency test to determine your English level and start learning immediately.
- Promova app . If you want to study alone, you can install a modern application available for iOS and Android devices. It is the best solution for learning on the go and practicing anywhere and anytime you want.
- Conversational club. Promova offers a free Conversational club for those who aim to practice speaking. Here, you can discuss interesting topics and master your communication skills with exciting people worldwide.
- Promova blog . And, of course, don’t forget to check our blog! It is where you can find dozens of articles on various topics that will be helpful in your studying journey.
As you can see, there are many things to choose from. Hence, don’t waste any more minutes! Instead, go to the official Promova website now, and find the best language-learning solutions.
All in all, writing reviews is a great way to share your thoughts and learn about other people’s experiences. We hope this article helped you find out how to do a review, the main types of them, and the most common phrases you can use in further discussions. And to help you with some practice, we want to ask you to do one thing. Please write a short review of your favorite restaurant or any other place you’ve visited recently. We will be happy to read it (and, who knows, maybe even see the area after it).
What are some common pitfalls to avoid when writing a review?
You need to avoid some common mistakes to make your review reliable and quality. It includes using complex language and professional jargon that can be hard to understand for most readers, sharing irrelevant or misleading information, using inappropriate language, and being too subjective. Another common pitfall is being too general and not providing any details.
How to make a review look more trustworthy?
The best thing you can do is to be honest when sharing your experience. Don’t under- or overestimate the product or service you are discussing and add some proof to support your opinion. Also, ensure your review is straightforward and contains no grammar errors. It will help you sound more professional.
Should I be a professional critic to review a product or service?
No, you don’t! You can write a review about anything as long as you are honest and objective. The only thing to remember is to share your experience and don’t discuss things that you haven’t tried or used before. But, of course, you need to warn your audience that your review is only your personal opinion and you are not positioning yourself as a professional critic.
Can my review contain jokes and personal thoughts?
Yes, it can, but only when relevant to the context. In some cases, including some short jokes can be great, especially in the introduction – it helps to set up the tone of your review. But don’t overuse it because it can lead others not to take your review seriously.
- Performance Reviews
Writing a Performance Review for Yourself Examples and Tips
Emma Charlotte
August 29, 2022
If you are writing a performance review for yourself, these examples will help you get a good idea of what it should include. Your performance review is a great way to get a good understanding of how you’re doing in your job and what areas you should focus on during the coming period. The eLeaP People Success Platform has a powerful, agile performance management system to help team members write their best performance reviews.
In order to know how to write a thorough performance review for yourself, you should first look at examples of previous reviews and learn the elements that made them successful. Fortunately, we’ve pulled together tips for writing a performance review for yourself and examples of what to include!
Writing a Performance Review for Yourself Examples
When you’re writing your own performance review , you should include both strengths and weaknesses that you have shown during the review period. The key here is to make sure you word them professionally and in a way that shows eagerness to grow and succeed.
Let’s look at some examples of how you can do this!
When you’re focusing on your strengths, you want to make sure you are coming across as confident but not boastful. Make sure you are highlighting how your strengths are helping the company as a whole. Here are some examples of how to do that:
- I’m dedicated to my personal role and duties here in the company but also to the business as a whole. I put every ounce of effort into making sure that the company is succeeding.
- I communicate well with my team and pull in help when I need it by expressing clearly what assistance I’m looking for. I put in every effort to be on time or even early with every deadline.
- I like to think outside of the box and come up with new, more efficient ways to do everyday tasks so our methods keep up with the trends of the business.
Of course, no one is a perfect employee, even if they want to be. It’s important to spin your areas for improvement in a positive light when writing a performance review for yourself. Examples of how to do this include:
- I sometimes struggle to keep organized in my station, and that hurts my productivity. However, I’ve been studying ways to organize in a way that works for me, and I’m making an intentional effort to put organization as a top priority. I still have a way to go, but I already see increased productivity in my daily work.
- I don’t always ask for help when I need it because I tend to feel as if I should be able to do things alone. However, I’m always quick to help my teammates, and my teammates are quick to help one another, so I know they would help me. I’m working on asking for help when I need it instead of suffering in silence.
After you’ve touched on where you are doing well and where you’re working on improving, you need to also consider your goals when writing a performance review for yourself. Examples may vary on this based on your line of work, but keep in mind that your performance review is a great time to express any changes or ideas you have in mind for the coming period.
Make sure your goals are based on the needs of both you and the company and pull in metrics or examples wherever you can. Being able to make a case for your goal with real data will allow you to make a much more convincing presentation for why you should focus on that area.
Areas to Talk About in Your Performance Review
While every company has its own expectations for performance reviews, there are some key elements that supervisors tend to look for in their employees, regardless of the field. Try to touch on as many of the following topics as when you’re writing a performance review for yourself. Examples are also included here so you can get an idea of how to phrase your feedback on each trait.
Communication
Communication is a vital part of any employee’s success, so it’s a great idea to touch on your strengths in this area through your self-evaluation. Consider these communication examples:
- I am able to communicate clearly with people in all positions, from business partners to my fellow teammates.
- I’m able to discuss difficult topics with my coworkers respectfully and efficiently.
- I pride myself on only offering constructive feedback when I see an area that could be improved on.
Performance
One of the most important parts of your self-assessment is your performance specifically. This can be a more general area of your review, but here are some examples of topics you can touch on:
- I take the initiative on every project I’m given, and I make sure I understand every element of it before I begin.
- I am always looking for ways to improve my work in every area.
- I consistently meet my timelines for the projects I’m assigned.
When writing a performance review for yourself, examples you run across may include talking about your potential leadership capability. This is a great time to show off when you take initiative, especially if you have goals of being promoted! Here are some ideas of traits to mention:
- I am always helping my coworkers in any way I can.
- I like to make sure everyone feels like they’re part of the team when we’re brainstorming on our projects.
- I help make sure my team is always meeting our milestones and timelines, putting in extra work when needed.
- I love to praise my teammates when I see them doing a good job!
Another crucial part of your success as an employee is working well with the other members of your team, so you will want to highlight your ability to do that. Consider these examples:
- I always keep a positive attitude while at work to help motivate my teammates.
- I’m known to be the most encouraging member of my team, going out of my way to keep people feeling like they’re doing a good job.
- I consider views that are different from my own when making decisions on our projects to ensure that we come to a resolution that benefits everyone.
Other Tips on Writing Your Own Performance Review
When looking at tips on writing a performance review for yourself, examples will often have organized thoughts and flow patterns. Regardless of your specific type of evaluation, there are some key tips on putting together a great one!
Be Specific
When you’re writing a performance review for yourself, examples like the ones above only go so far. It’s up to you to bring in personal moments and victories that support the points you’re making in your evaluation. If you’re talking about how you’re a good teammate, give a specific and relevant event that proves it!
Use Metrics
You can say you’re a hard worker all day long, but using data and metrics to prove it will help convince your management. When you have data that shows you meeting or exceeding goals and targets, you have proof that your manager can’t deny.
Metrics are also a great tool for when you set your goals in your performance review. When you’re picking your goals to focus on, be specific so that you can measure whether you met your goal. Don’t just say, “My goal is to have more sales this quarter.” Instead, say something specific: “I plan to increase my sales by 10% over the next quarter.” Then, you can look back and see if you truly met your goal!
Keep an Achievement Journal
It can be hard to remember all of the successes you had at work over the last six months or year, and this can leave you forgetting to mention ones that happened shortly after your last performance review. To keep this from happening, keep a running document of your successes, improvements, and any new skills when they happen. This can be a physical notebook, a Word document, or just a note on your phone. Then, when it’s time to put your review together, you have a year’s worth of successes in one place, letting you pick the best ones!
Be Professional
Of course, the most important thing to remember is to be professional throughout your review. You want to reflect on how much of an asset you are to your team and the company as a whole, and your professionalism will back that up. Don’t rush your evaluation, and put it together right before your performance review. This can give off the impression that you don’t take your job seriously. Instead, take time to put together a well-polished review that highlights how you’ve helped the company!
You also want to make sure that any feedback you give is based on the company and not on specific people. Don’t bad-mouth your coworkers when you’re giving ideas on how to better the work environment. Wording everything you say in a professional manner can help you keep the respect of your manager throughout the review.
Performance reviews can be intimidating when you first start them. However, it can be easier when you have examples and tips to go off of! Remember that your self-evaluation is a perfect time to show your manager how essential you are to the team, as well as let them know your short and long-term goals for your position! With a well-polished evaluation, you’re sure to have a great performance review!
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- Education and Communications
- Critical Reviews
How to Write an Article Review
Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 83 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,896,270 times.
An article review is both a summary and an evaluation of another writer's article. Teachers often assign article reviews to introduce students to the work of experts in the field. Experts also are often asked to review the work of other professionals. Understanding the main points and arguments of the article is essential for an accurate summation. Logical evaluation of the article's main theme, supporting arguments, and implications for further research is an important element of a review . Here are a few guidelines for writing an article review.
Education specialist Alexander Peterman recommends: "In the case of a review, your objective should be to reflect on the effectiveness of what has already been written, rather than writing to inform your audience about a subject."
Things You Should Know
- Read the article very closely, and then take time to reflect on your evaluation. Consider whether the article effectively achieves what it set out to.
- Write out a full article review by completing your intro, summary, evaluation, and conclusion. Don't forget to add a title, too!
- Proofread your review for mistakes (like grammar and usage), while also cutting down on needless information.
Preparing to Write Your Review
- Article reviews present more than just an opinion. You will engage with the text to create a response to the scholarly writer's ideas. You will respond to and use ideas, theories, and research from your studies. Your critique of the article will be based on proof and your own thoughtful reasoning.
- An article review only responds to the author's research. It typically does not provide any new research. However, if you are correcting misleading or otherwise incorrect points, some new data may be presented.
- An article review both summarizes and evaluates the article.
- Summarize the article. Focus on the important points, claims, and information.
- Discuss the positive aspects of the article. Think about what the author does well, good points she makes, and insightful observations.
- Identify contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies in the text. Determine if there is enough data or research included to support the author's claims. Find any unanswered questions left in the article.
- Make note of words or issues you don't understand and questions you have.
- Look up terms or concepts you are unfamiliar with, so you can fully understand the article. Read about concepts in-depth to make sure you understand their full context.
- Pay careful attention to the meaning of the article. Make sure you fully understand the article. The only way to write a good article review is to understand the article.
- With either method, make an outline of the main points made in the article and the supporting research or arguments. It is strictly a restatement of the main points of the article and does not include your opinions.
- After putting the article in your own words, decide which parts of the article you want to discuss in your review. You can focus on the theoretical approach, the content, the presentation or interpretation of evidence, or the style. You will always discuss the main issues of the article, but you can sometimes also focus on certain aspects. This comes in handy if you want to focus the review towards the content of a course. [7] X Research source
- Review the summary outline to eliminate unnecessary items. Erase or cross out the less important arguments or supplemental information. Your revised summary can serve as the basis for the summary you provide at the beginning of your review.
- What does the article set out to do?
- What is the theoretical framework or assumptions?
- Are the central concepts clearly defined?
- How adequate is the evidence?
- How does the article fit into the literature and field?
- Does it advance the knowledge of the subject?
- How clear is the author's writing? [8] X Research source Don't: include superficial opinions or your personal reaction. Do: pay attention to your biases, so you can overcome them.
Writing the Article Review
- For example, in MLA , a citation may look like: Duvall, John N. "The (Super)Marketplace of Images: Television as Unmediated Mediation in DeLillo's White Noise ." Arizona Quarterly 50.3 (1994): 127-53. Print.
- For example: The article, "Condom use will increase the spread of AIDS," was written by Anthony Zimmerman, a Catholic priest.
- Your introduction should only be 10-25% of your review. [12] X Research source
- End the introduction with your thesis. Your thesis should address the above issues. For example: Although the author has some good points, his article is biased and contains some misinterpretation of data from others’ analysis of the effectiveness of the condom. [13] X Research source www.richard.jewell.net/WforC/WRITEREAD/CritReview/samples.htm
- Use direct quotes from the author sparingly.
- Review the summary you have written. Read over your summary many times to ensure that your words are an accurate description of the author's article.
- Support your critique with evidence from the article or other texts.
- The summary portion is very important for your critique. You must make the author's argument clear in the summary section for your evaluation to make sense. [15] X Research source
- Remember, this is not where you say if you liked the article or not. You are assessing the significance and relevance of the article. [16] X Research source
- Use a topic sentence and supportive arguments for each opinion. For example, you might address a particular strength in the first sentence of the opinion section, followed by several sentences elaborating on the significance of the point.
- This should only be about 10% of your overall essay.
- For example: This critical review has evaluated the article "Condom use will increase the spread of AIDS" by Anthony Zimmerman. The arguments in the article show the presence of bias, prejudice, argumentative writing without supporting details, and misinformation. These points weaken the author’s arguments and reduce his credibility. [17] X Research source www.richard.jewell.net/WforC/WRITEREAD/CritReview/samples.htm
- Make sure you have identified and discussed the 3-4 key issues in the article. [18] X Research source
Sample Article Reviews
Expert Q&A
You Might Also Like
- ↑ https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/node/492
- ↑ http://www.history.vt.edu/undergraduate/article_review.htm
- ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
- ↑ http://blog.efpsa.org/2012/09/01/how-to-write-a-good-title-for-journal-articles/
- ↑ www.richard.jewell.net/WforC/WRITEREAD/CritReview/samples.htm
About This Article
If you have to write an article review, read through the original article closely, taking notes and highlighting important sections as you read. Next, rewrite the article in your own words, either in a long paragraph or as an outline. Open your article review by citing the article, then write an introduction which states the article’s thesis. Next, summarize the article, followed by your opinion about whether the article was clear, thorough, and useful. Finish with a paragraph that summarizes the main points of the article and your opinions. To learn more about what to include in your personal critique of the article, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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- How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates
How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates
Published on January 2, 2023 by Shona McCombes .
What is a literature review? A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research that you can later apply to your paper, thesis, or dissertation topic .
There are five key steps to writing a literature review:
- Search for relevant literature
- Evaluate sources
- Identify themes, debates, and gaps
- Outline the structure
- Write your literature review
A good literature review doesn’t just summarize sources—it analyzes, synthesizes , and critically evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of knowledge on the subject.
Table of contents
What is the purpose of a literature review, examples of literature reviews, step 1 – search for relevant literature, step 2 – evaluate and select sources, step 3 – identify themes, debates, and gaps, step 4 – outline your literature review’s structure, step 5 – write your literature review, free lecture slides, frequently asked questions, introduction.
- Quick Run-through
- Step 1 & 2
When you write a thesis , dissertation , or research paper , you will likely have to conduct a literature review to situate your research within existing knowledge. The literature review gives you a chance to:
- Demonstrate your familiarity with the topic and its scholarly context
- Develop a theoretical framework and methodology for your research
- Position your work in relation to other researchers and theorists
- Show how your research addresses a gap or contributes to a debate
- Evaluate the current state of research and demonstrate your knowledge of the scholarly debates around your topic.
Writing literature reviews is a particularly important skill if you want to apply for graduate school or pursue a career in research. We’ve written a step-by-step guide that you can follow below.
Writing literature reviews can be quite challenging! A good starting point could be to look at some examples, depending on what kind of literature review you’d like to write.
- Example literature review #1: “Why Do People Migrate? A Review of the Theoretical Literature” ( Theoretical literature review about the development of economic migration theory from the 1950s to today.)
- Example literature review #2: “Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines” ( Methodological literature review about interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition and production.)
- Example literature review #3: “The Use of Technology in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” ( Thematic literature review about the effects of technology on language acquisition.)
- Example literature review #4: “Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” ( Chronological literature review about how the concept of listening skills has changed over time.)
You can also check out our templates with literature review examples and sample outlines at the links below.
Download Word doc Download Google doc
Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.
Before you begin searching for literature, you need a clearly defined topic .
If you are writing the literature review section of a dissertation or research paper, you will search for literature related to your research problem and questions .
Make a list of keywords
Start by creating a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of the key concepts or variables you’re interested in, and list any synonyms and related terms. You can add to this list as you discover new keywords in the process of your literature search.
- Social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok
- Body image, self-perception, self-esteem, mental health
- Generation Z, teenagers, adolescents, youth
Search for relevant sources
Use your keywords to begin searching for sources. Some useful databases to search for journals and articles include:
- Your university’s library catalogue
- Google Scholar
- Project Muse (humanities and social sciences)
- Medline (life sciences and biomedicine)
- EconLit (economics)
- Inspec (physics, engineering and computer science)
You can also use boolean operators to help narrow down your search.
Make sure to read the abstract to find out whether an article is relevant to your question. When you find a useful book or article, you can check the bibliography to find other relevant sources.
You likely won’t be able to read absolutely everything that has been written on your topic, so it will be necessary to evaluate which sources are most relevant to your research question.
For each publication, ask yourself:
- What question or problem is the author addressing?
- What are the key concepts and how are they defined?
- What are the key theories, models, and methods?
- Does the research use established frameworks or take an innovative approach?
- What are the results and conclusions of the study?
- How does the publication relate to other literature in the field? Does it confirm, add to, or challenge established knowledge?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research?
Make sure the sources you use are credible , and make sure you read any landmark studies and major theories in your field of research.
You can use our template to summarize and evaluate sources you’re thinking about using. Click on either button below to download.
Take notes and cite your sources
As you read, you should also begin the writing process. Take notes that you can later incorporate into the text of your literature review.
It is important to keep track of your sources with citations to avoid plagiarism . It can be helpful to make an annotated bibliography , where you compile full citation information and write a paragraph of summary and analysis for each source. This helps you remember what you read and saves time later in the process.
To begin organizing your literature review’s argument and structure, be sure you understand the connections and relationships between the sources you’ve read. Based on your reading and notes, you can look for:
- Trends and patterns (in theory, method or results): do certain approaches become more or less popular over time?
- Themes: what questions or concepts recur across the literature?
- Debates, conflicts and contradictions: where do sources disagree?
- Pivotal publications: are there any influential theories or studies that changed the direction of the field?
- Gaps: what is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to be addressed?
This step will help you work out the structure of your literature review and (if applicable) show how your own research will contribute to existing knowledge.
- Most research has focused on young women.
- There is an increasing interest in the visual aspects of social media.
- But there is still a lack of robust research on highly visual platforms like Instagram and Snapchat—this is a gap that you could address in your own research.
There are various approaches to organizing the body of a literature review. Depending on the length of your literature review, you can combine several of these strategies (for example, your overall structure might be thematic, but each theme is discussed chronologically).
Chronological
The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time. However, if you choose this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order.
Try to analyze patterns, turning points and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field. Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred.
If you have found some recurring central themes, you can organize your literature review into subsections that address different aspects of the topic.
For example, if you are reviewing literature about inequalities in migrant health outcomes, key themes might include healthcare policy, language barriers, cultural attitudes, legal status, and economic access.
Methodological
If you draw your sources from different disciplines or fields that use a variety of research methods , you might want to compare the results and conclusions that emerge from different approaches. For example:
- Look at what results have emerged in qualitative versus quantitative research
- Discuss how the topic has been approached by empirical versus theoretical scholarship
- Divide the literature into sociological, historical, and cultural sources
Theoretical
A literature review is often the foundation for a theoretical framework . You can use it to discuss various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts.
You might argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach, or combine various theoretical concepts to create a framework for your research.
Like any other academic text , your literature review should have an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion . What you include in each depends on the objective of your literature review.
The introduction should clearly establish the focus and purpose of the literature review.
Depending on the length of your literature review, you might want to divide the body into subsections. You can use a subheading for each theme, time period, or methodological approach.
As you write, you can follow these tips:
- Summarize and synthesize: give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole
- Analyze and interpret: don’t just paraphrase other researchers — add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole
- Critically evaluate: mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
- Write in well-structured paragraphs: use transition words and topic sentences to draw connections, comparisons and contrasts
In the conclusion, you should summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and emphasize their significance.
When you’ve finished writing and revising your literature review, don’t forget to proofread thoroughly before submitting. Not a language expert? Check out Scribbr’s professional proofreading services !
This article has been adapted into lecture slides that you can use to teach your students about writing a literature review.
Scribbr slides are free to use, customize, and distribute for educational purposes.
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A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question .
It is often written as part of a thesis, dissertation , or research paper , in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge.
There are several reasons to conduct a literature review at the beginning of a research project:
- To familiarize yourself with the current state of knowledge on your topic
- To ensure that you’re not just repeating what others have already done
- To identify gaps in knowledge and unresolved problems that your research can address
- To develop your theoretical framework and methodology
- To provide an overview of the key findings and debates on the topic
Writing the literature review shows your reader how your work relates to existing research and what new insights it will contribute.
The literature review usually comes near the beginning of your thesis or dissertation . After the introduction , it grounds your research in a scholarly field and leads directly to your theoretical framework or methodology .
A literature review is a survey of credible sources on a topic, often used in dissertations , theses, and research papers . Literature reviews give an overview of knowledge on a subject, helping you identify relevant theories and methods, as well as gaps in existing research. Literature reviews are set up similarly to other academic texts , with an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion .
An annotated bibliography is a list of source references that has a short description (called an annotation ) for each of the sources. It is often assigned as part of the research process for a paper .
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How to Write an Article Review: Tips and Examples
An article review format allows scholars or students to analyze and evaluate the work of other experts in a given field. Outside of the education system, experts often review the work of their peers for clarity, originality, and contribution to the discipline of study.
When answering the questions of what is an article review and how to write one, you must understand the depth of analysis and evaluation that your instructor is seeking.
What Is an Article Review
That is a type of professional paper writing which demands a high level of in-depth analysis and a well-structured presentation of arguments. It is a critical, constructive evaluation of literature in a particular field through summary, classification, analysis, and comparison.
If you write a scientific review, you have to use database searches to portray the research. Your primary goal is to summarize everything and present a clear understanding of the topic you’ve been working on.
Writing Involves:
- Summarization, classification, analysis, critiques, and comparison.
- The analysis, evaluation, and comparison require use theories, ideas, and research, relevant to the subject area of the article.
- It is also worth nothing if a review does not introduce new information, but instead presents a response to another writer’s work.
- Check out other samples to gain a better understanding of how to review the article.
Types of Review
There are few types of article reviews.
Journal Article Review
Much like all other reviews, a journal article review evaluates strengths and weaknesses of a publication. A qualified paper writer must provide the reader with an analysis and interpretation that demonstrates the article’s value.
Research Article Review
It differs from a journal article review by the way that it evaluates the research method used and holds that information in retrospect to analysis and critique.
Science Article Review
Scientific article review involves anything in the realm of science. Often, scientific publications include more information on the background that you can use to analyze the publication more comprehensively.
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Formatting an Article Review
The format of the article should always adhere to the citation style required by your professor. If you’re not sure, seek clarification on the preferred format and ask him to clarify several other pointers to complete the formatting of an article review adequately.
How Many Publications Should You Review?
- In what format you should cite your articles (MLA, APA, ASA, Chicago, etc.)?
- What length should your review be?
- Should you include a summary, critique, or personal opinion in your assignment?
- Do you need to call attention to a theme or central idea within the articles?
- Does your instructor require background information?
When you know the answers to these questions, you may start writing your assignment. Below are examples of MLA and APA formats, as those are the two most common citation styles.
Using the APA Format
Articles appear most commonly in academic journals, newspapers, and websites. If you write an article review in the APA format, you will need to write bibliographical entries for the sources you use:
- Web : Author [last name], A.A [first and middle initial]. (Year, Month Date of Publication). Title. Retrieved from {link}
- Journal : Author [last name], A.A [first and middle initial]. (Publication Year). Publication Title. Periodical Title, Volume(Issue), pp.-pp.
- Newspaper : Author [last name], A.A [first and middle initial]. (Year, Month Date of Publication). Publication Title. Magazine Title, pp. xx-xx.
Using MLA Format
- Web : Last, First Middle Initial. “Publication Title.” Website Title. Website Publisher, Date Month Year Published. Web. Date Month Year Accessed.
- Newspaper : Last, First M. “Publication Title.” Newspaper Title [City] Date, Month, Year Published: Page(s). Print.
- Journal : Last, First M. “Publication Title.” Journal Title Series Volume. Issue (Year Published): Page(s). Database Name. Web. Date Month Year Accessed.
The Pre-Writing Process
Facing this task for the first time can really get confusing and can leave you being unsure where to begin. To create a top-notch article review, start with a few preparatory steps. Here are the two main stages to get you started:
Step 1: Define the right organization for your review. Knowing the future setup of your paper will help you define how you should read the article. Here are the steps to follow:
- Summarize the article — seek out the main points, ideas, claims, and general information presented in the article.
- Define the positive points — identify the strong aspects, ideas, and insightful observations the author has made.
- Find the gaps —- determine whether or not the author has any contradictions, gaps, or inconsistencies in the article and evaluate whether or not he or she used a sufficient amount of arguments and information to support his or her ideas.
- Identify unanswered questions — finally, identify if there are any questions left unanswered after reading the piece.
Step 2: Move on and review the article. Here is a small and simple guide to help you do it right:
- Start off by looking at and assessing the title of the piece, its abstract, introductory part, headings and subheadings, opening sentences in its paragraphs, and its conclusion.
- First, read only the beginning and the ending of the piece (introduction and conclusion). These are the parts where authors include all of their key arguments and points. Therefore, if you start with reading these parts, it will give you a good sense of the author’s main points.
- Finally, read the article fully.
These three steps make up most of the prewriting process. After you are done with them, you can move on to writing your own review—and we are going to guide you through the writing process as well.
Organization in an assignment like this is of utmost importance. Before embarking on your writing process, you could outline your assignment or use an article review template to organize your thoughts more coherently.
Outline and Template
As you progress with reading your article, organize your thoughts into coherent sections in an outline. As you read, jot down important facts, contributions, or contradictions. Identify the shortcomings and strengths of your publication. Begin to map your outline accordingly.
If your professor does not want a summary section or a personal critique section, then you must alleviate those parts from your writing. Much like other assignments, an article review must contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Thus you might consider dividing your outline according to these sections as well as subheadings within the body. If you find yourself troubled with the prewriting and the brainstorming process for this assignment, seek out a sample outline.
Your custom essay must contain these constituent parts:
- Pre-title page : here, you will want to list the type of the article that you are reviewing, the title of the publication, all the authors who contributed to it, author’s affiliations (position, department, institute, city, state, country, email ID)
- Optional corresponding author details : name, address, phone number, email, and fax number.
- Running head : Only in the APA format. It is the title of your paper shortened to less than 40 characters.
- Summary page : Optional, depending on the demands of your instructor. The summary should be maximum 800 words long. Use non-technical and straightforward language. Do not repeat text verbatim or give references in this section. Give 1) relevant background 2) explain why the work was done 3) summarize results and explain the method.
- Title page : full title, 250-word abstract followed by “Keywords:” and 4-6 keywords.
- Introduction
- Body : Include headings and subheadings
- Works Cited/References
- Optional Suggested Reading Page
- Tables and Figure Legends (if instructed by the professor.)
Do you need some help with your article review?
Count on the support of our essay writing service
Steps for Writing an Article Review
Here is a guide with critique paper format from our research paper writing service on how to write a review paper:
Step 1: Write the Title.
First of all, you need to write a title that reflects the main focus of your work. Respectively, the title can be either interrogative, descriptive, or declarative.
Step 2: Cite the Article.
Next, create a proper citation for the reviewed article and input it following the title. At this step, the most important thing to keep in mind is the style of citation specified by your instructor in the requirements for the paper. For example, an article citation in the MLA style should look as follows:
Author’s last and first name. “The title of the article.” Journal’s title and issue(publication date): page(s). Print
Example: Abraham John. “The World of Dreams.” Virginia Quarterly 60.2(1991): 125-67. Print.
Step 3: Article Identification.
After your citation, you need to include the identification of your reviewed article:
- Title of the article
- Title of the journal
- Year of publication
All of this information should be included in the first paragraph of your paper.
Example: The report, “Poverty increases school drop-outs,” was written by Brian Faith – a Health officer – in 2000.
Step 4: Introduction.
Your organization in an assignment like this is of the utmost importance. Before embarking on your writing process, you should outline your assignment or use an article review template to organize your thoughts coherently.
- If you are wondering how to start an article review, begin with an introduction that mentions the article and your thesis for the review.
- Follow up with a summary of the main points of the article.
- Highlight the positive aspects and facts presented in the publication.
- Critique the publication through identifying gaps, contradictions, disparities in the text, and unanswered questions.
Step 5: Summarize the Article.
Make a summary of the article by revisiting what the author has written about. Note any relevant facts and findings from the article. Include the author's conclusions in this section.
Step 6: Critique It.
Present the strengths and weaknesses you have found in the publication. Highlight the knowledge that the author has contributed to the field. Also, write about any gaps and/or contradictions you have found in the article. Take a standpoint of either supporting or not supporting the author's assertions, but back up your arguments with facts and relevant theories that are pertinent to that area of knowledge. Rubrics and templates can also be used to evaluate and grade the person who wrote the article.
Step 7: Craft a Conclusion.
In this section, revisit the critical points of your piece, your findings in the article, and your critique. Also, write about the accuracy, validity, and relevance of the results of the article review. Present a way forward for future research in the field of study. Before submitting your article, keep these pointers in mind:
- As you read the article, highlight the key points. This will help you pinpoint the article's main argument and the evidence that they used to support that argument.
- While you write your review, use evidence from your sources to make a point. This is best done using direct quotations.
- Select quotes and supporting evidence adequately and use direct quotations sparingly. Take time to analyze the article adequately.
- Every time you reference a publication or use a direct quotation, use a parenthetical citation to avoid accidentally plagiarizing your article.
- Re-read your piece a day after you finish writing it. This will help you to spot grammar mistakes and to notice any flaws in your organization.
- Use a spell-checker and get a second opinion on your paper.
The Post-Writing Process: Proofread Your Work
Finally, when all of the parts of your article review are set and ready, you have one last thing to take care of — proofreading. Although students often neglect this step, proofreading is a vital part of the writing process and will help you polish your paper to ensure that there are no mistakes or inconsistencies.
To proofread your paper properly, start with reading it fully and by checking the following points:
- Punctuation
- Other mistakes
Next, identify whether or not there is any unnecessary data in the paper and remove it. Lastly, check the points you discussed in your work; make sure you discuss at least 3-4 key points. In case you need to proofread, rewrite an essay or buy essay , our dissertation services are always here for you.
Example of an Article Review
Why have we devoted an entire section of this article to talk about an article review sample, you may wonder? Not all of you may recognize it, but in fact, looking through several solid examples of review articles is actually an essential step for your writing process, and we will tell you why.
Looking through relevant article review examples can be beneficial for you in the following ways:
- To get you introduced to the key works of experts in your field.
- To help you identify the key people engaged in a particular field of science.
- To help you define what significant discoveries and advances were made in your field.
- To help you unveil the major gaps within the existing knowledge of your field—which contributes to finding fresh solutions.
- To help you find solid references and arguments for your own review.
- To help you generate some ideas about any further field of research.
- To help you gain a better understanding of the area and become an expert in this specific field.
- To get a clear idea of how to write a good review.
As you can see, reading through a few samples can be extremely beneficial for you. Therefore, the best way to learn how to write this kind of paper is to look for an article review example online that matches your grade level.
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Review – examples & model answers | C1 Advanced (CAE)
A review is written traditionally for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film , a holiday. a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like. Description and explanation are key functions for this task and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader.
Click to see how to write C1 Advanced (CAE) Review.
FCE, CAE, CPE
Practice, write & improve, cae review example: music.
You see this announcement in an international music magazine:
Write your review .
CAE Review: Example Answer (Grade: 3-4)
At first I was doubting a lot about wich two songs should I pick for representing my Spain, my homeland, but I have decided to select two regional ones.
The first of it is “Ikusi Mendizaleak”. It talks about the place where I was born the Basque Country. The tradition of the song Almost all people here knows it so I think it can be representative for this norther Spain teritor territory. The song talks about a group of people that go to the mountains and see beautifull places with green grass and a lot of forests. It is a great description of Basque Country wich is full of precious, natural places and mountains so worthy to visit. Also it talks about how even al though you can be tired and the path can be hard you can never give up untill you make it to your objective, wich I think is a great and strong message.
The second song I have chosen for representing my homeland is about Seville wich is 1000km far away from the Basque Country. I can’t remember the song title but here in Spain we all know it. It starts with “Sevilla tiene un color espc especial” this meaning Seville has a special colour. It describes the beautifull places the city has and how special th these are for their people. Also talks about how the people there locals are different from the rest of Spain and how happy and well they live.
To summarise if you ever wanted to go to the north of Spain you should definitely listen to the first one and if you wanted to go South to the second, both of them are marvelous places to visit and stay!
Get Your CAE Review Checked!
Cae review: model answer (grade: 4-5).
Music of my homeland: ‘The River’
Did you know that in China traditional music enjoys just as much popularity as modern Pop music? As someone who usually listens to the younger generation-radio, I could hardly believe the parallel success of the two completely different styles of music – until I listened to the traditional song ‘The River’ for the first time.
Unlike the current number one single ‘little red apple’ in the modern charts, which is full of positive energy and easy to dance to, ‘The River’ provides a deep insight into the Chinese history and its culture. Just by listening to this traditional and sentimental song one gets the feeling of being lifted into another space and time, when thousands of years ago the Chinese farmers were working hard in the rice fields, surrounded by the astonishing sound of massive river waves. If one closes the eyes, one can almost see the idyllic nature of giant China, in front of oneself, long before the Industrial Revolution and wars.
And if you are not a fan of traditional music, don’t be put off by its title. ‘The River’ provides more than simply the description of nature, but it also throws an interesting light on the mentality of the Chinese: the strong mind, the persistance, the never-ending motivation, that still can be seen today.
In conclusion, ‘little red apple’ is for me a good and popular song in China, which can easily cheer you up, representing the positive attitude of the Chinese. But if you want to turn away from Westernized music, ‘The River’ is definitely the Chinese song that I would recommend to anybody who wants to visit my homeland and to learn about the Chinese culture from its earliest stages.
CAE Review Example: Contributor
You see the following announcement on a website, Great Lives:
CAE Review: Example Answer (Grade: 4)
Who doesn’t like to watch, even from time to time, an old movie starring an iconic actors and actresses known all over the world? Marylin Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn – we know them all. Although the last one might be known as well as for not only being an actress, but also a voulanteer helping to fight hunger in Africa. Her latest biography – ,,Audrey’s Hepburn life” tells us the story of a girl, who has made an amazing career, became beloved by millions, won several Oscar awards and was concidered to be a fashion icon. Nevertheless this is not everything that she achived. Audrey always wanted to help other people. This is why after ending her career she decided to help people, who needed this help more than anyone else. The book tells us the story of years of exhausting work in Somalia – for people who needed her help the most. Douzens of photograph present how much she cared about them. The most surprising for me, was the fact that she honestly did not do it to have better public opinion, she was never boasting abot it. But thanks to her fame, more and more people started to get interested in poor districts of Africa. The result was magnificent. Her whole life is an amazing example of how hard work pays off. Propably this is why the book turned out to be such a success. I recommend it to anyone interested in her career and life, I promise you won’t regret it!
CAE Review Example: Holiday
A travel website has asked you to write a review of a holiday resort you have been to, explaining what kinds of people the resort is likely to appeal to, and which aspects of the resort you would most recommend to other visitors. You should also suggest at least one way in which you feel the resort could be improved.
CAE Review: Example Answer (Grade: 2-3)
A dream holiday
Have you ever thought of yourself sitting under a palmier tree with a long drink and with an endless tourquise-green water in front of you?
I’ve got this experience of my life last year when my husband and me decided to have a dream holiday and we chose Dominican Republic, more specific Punta Cana as our destination.
We have to choose from a lot of resorts, but finnaly we made up our mind for Palladium Resort which is an enormous, stunning complex of villas, all having their own terrace.
There are six restaurants with their specific and open-bars all over the place, but ‘the piece of resistence’ is the pool – big, clean, with chaise longs directly in the water and, of course, with its own bar. If you’ll come at Palladium, it’s a must.
I have the chance to try scuba-diving and I can tell you that it was the most thrilling moment of mine. Swimming along with lots of tiny creatures of the sea, seeing one sheep?? sinked and transformed into a refugee ?? for small fish, not to mention the corals, was a dream-life come true.
There are also lots of places to visit, like cacao and coffee farms in the mountains where you arrive in big, old trucks with their engines working accordingly. It’s an experience that is worthwhile – full of flavours, colours and joy. Also, you can learn something about the history of the island. Small children are offering you flowers and they lead the way to the farms for a penny.
Only a weak point – there were few chaiselongues on the beach, but apart from that, I can tell you – is a dream holiday.
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How to use ChatGPT to help you write
ChatGPT's advanced capabilities have created a huge demand , with the 'app' accumulating over 100 million users within two months of launching. One of the biggest standout features has been its ability to compose all sorts of text within seconds, including songs, poems, bedtime stories, and essays.
Also: What is ChatGPT and why does it matter? Here's everything you need to know
Contrary to popular opinion, ChatGPT can do a lot more than just write an essay for you (which could be called plagiarism). What is more useful is how it can help guide your writing process. If you are a looking for ways to use ChatGPT to support your writing, here are five different ways to explore.
How to improve your writing process with ChatGPT
1. use chatgpt to generate essay ideas.
Before you can even get started writing an essay, you need to flesh out the idea. When professors assign essays, they generally give students a prompt that gives them leeway for their own self-expression and analysis. As a result, students have the task of finding the angle to approach the essay on their own.
If you have written an essay recently, you know this step is often the trickiest part -- and this is where ChatGPT can help.
Also: I wish I had ChatGPT when I was in college. But not for the reason you might expect
All you need to do is input the assignment topic, include as much detail as you'd like -- such as what you're thinking about covering -- and let ChatGPT do the rest. For example, based on a paper prompt I had in college, I asked:
Can you help me come up with a topic idea for this assignment, "You will write a research paper or case study on a leadership topic of your choice." I would like it to include Blake and Mouton's Managerial Leadership Grid and possibly a historical figure.
Within seconds, the chatbot produced a response that provided me with the title of the essay, options of historical figures I could focus my article on, and insight on what information I could include in my paper, with specific examples of a case study I could use.
2. Use the chatbot to create an outline
Once you have a solid topic, it's time to start brainstorming what you actually want to include in the essay. To facilitate the writing process, I always create an outline, including all the different points I want to touch upon in my essay. However, the outline writing process is usually tedious.
With ChatGPT, all you have to do is ask it to write it for you.
Also : ChatGPT productivity hacks: Five ways to use chatbots to make your life easier
Using the topic that ChatGPT helped me generate in step one, I asked the chatbot to write me an outline by saying:
Can you create an outline for a paper, "Examining the Leadership Style of Winston Churchill through Blake and Mouton's Managerial Leadership Grid"
After a couple of seconds, the chatbot outputted a holistic outline divided into seven different sections, with three different points under each section.
This outline is thorough and can be condensed for a shorter essay, or elaborated on for a longer paper. If you don't like something or want to tweak it further, you can do so either manually or with more instructions to ChatGPT.
3. Use ChatGPT to find sources
Now that you know exactly what you want to write, it's time to find reputable sources to get your information from. If you don't know where to start, like with all of the previous steps, you can just ask ChatGPT.
All you need to do is ask it to find sources for your essay topic. For example, I asked it the following:
Can you help me find sources for a paper, "Examining the Leadership Style of Winston Churchill through Blake and Mouton's Managerial Leadership Grid."
Also : The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT and other interesting alternatives to try
The chatbot output seven sources, with a bullet point for each that explained what the source was and why it could be useful.
The one caveat you will want to be aware of when using ChatGPT for sources is that it does not have access to information before 2021, so it will not be able to suggest the freshest sources. However, it is a start.
4. Use ChatGPT to write a sample essay
It is worth noting that if you take the text directly from the chatbot and submit it, your work could be considered a form of plagiarism, since it is not your original work. As with any information taken from another source, text generated by any AI should be clearly identified and credited in your work.
In most educational institutions, the penalties for plagiarism are severe, ranging from a failing grade to expulsion from the school.
Also : ChatGPT is changing everything. But it still has its limits
If you want ChatGPT generate a sample piece of text, put in the topic, the desired length, and watch for what it generates. For example, I input the following text:
Can you write a five-paragraph essay on the topic, "Examining the Leadership Style of Winston Churchill through Blake and Mouton's Managerial Leadership Grid."
Within seconds, the chatbot output exactly what I asked for: A coherent, five-paragraph essay on the topic which can help you to guide you in your own writing.
At this point it's worth remembering how tools like ChatGPT work: They put words together in a form that they think is statistically valid but they don't know if what they are saying is true or accurate. That means you might find invented facts or details or other oddities. It won't be able to create original work because it is simply aggregating everything it has already absorbed. It might be a useful starting point for your own work, but don't expect it to be inspired or accurate.
5. Use ChatGPT to co-edit your essay
Once you've written your own essay, you can use ChatGPT's advanced writing capabilities to edit it for you.
You can simply tell the chatbot what you specifically want it to edit. For example, I asked it to edit for essay structure and grammar, but other options could have included flow, tone, and more.
Once you ask it to edit your essay, it will prompt you to paste your text into the chatbot. Once you do, it will output your essay with corrections made. This could be the most useful tool as it can edit your essay more thoroughly than a basic proofreading tool could, going beyond spelling.
You could also co-edit with the chatbot, asking it to take a look at a specific paragraph or sentence and asking it to rewrite or fix it for clarity.
How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to know
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The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT and other interesting alternatives to try
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Here's a list of effective performance review phrases for managers and employees. Performance appraisal comments for managers: She replies to calls, emails and instant messages in a timely manner (within 24 hours etc.) He has a talent for thinking outside the box. She tends to be risk-averse and prefers traditional approaches to creative ones.
Once you have a solid plan, writing your review should be easy! First start with an interesting title. E.g. The Unexpected Anti-Hero. It relates to both the book that's being reviewed and the question. It's also short and snappy. Next write an engaging introduction. Maybe start with a rhetorical question, for example: Are you a fan of the Jazz Age?
Here are some phrases that may apply to an employee's adaptability: Positive feedback: 9. "Willingly adjusts their schedule to be available when needed" 10. "Quickly adapts to changes in the performance of required duties" 11. "Responds well to change in various situations" 12. "Is adaptable to changing deadlines" Needs improvement: 13.
Example: "Rachel has now worked in this position for one year and has shown great potential. Though she struggled with meeting production goals during her first quarter, she showed a steady improvement in the months that followed, and continues to meet and exceed production expectations.". 2. Highlight goals.
Here's an example of a quote testimonial from WordPress: These short (typically only one to two sentence) overviews of how your product or service impacted a company helps give your brand credibility. With quote testimonials, those impressive claims you're making actually sound believable because they're backed up by someone who's, well, not you.
B2 First (FCE) Review: Writing Topics (PDF) A review is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a holiday, a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the ...
When writing a performance review for a manager or a supervisor, it is important to focus on specific examples of their performance and provide constructive feedback. It can be helpful to have a list of performance review phrases and examples to draw from when providing feedback. This can help ensure that the review is clear and thorough, and ...
28 Performance Review Examples - Phrases & Expert Tips Kat Boogaard You're pretty sure that your direct reports dread the performance review process. You get it — it's nerve-racking to sit there and be evaluated and critiqued. But here's the thing. You might be the manager, but you get nervous too.
Three performance review phrase examples Now that we've examined the psychology behind phrasing criticisms constructively, let's take a look at some sample text from employee reviews. 1 The Good Performer The first is a positive appraisal from the Snagajob blog: Samuel exceeds expectations in the role of a sales associate.
Work ethic. " You are very punctual and have shown excellent work behaviors in every aspect of the job. ". " Shows a strong work ethic by consistently staying until all daily tasks are completed. ". " You consistently go above and beyond by exceeding your quarterly goals. ".
This could be as straightforward as "I really liked this meal!" or as complex as "These shoes took a while to wear in." Think to yourself: If I were telling a friend about this, what would I want their main takeaway to be? 2 Likes and dislikes In the most glowing review, you may not include any dislikes.
Here are some of the best positive review examples and the correct way to respond to these reviews: Example # 01: Be creative and Personal ... To write good feedback for a review you must first analyze what the customer wants to say and then accordingly answer each question from the customer in a constructive way.
Examples of literary fiction book reviews Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man: An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.
Your review should be a fair reflection of your experience, whether it was positive or negative. Avoid exaggerating or downplaying it, and try to provide an objective assessment of the product or service. Use specific examples and details to support your opinion. It will make your review more informative and credible.
It's important to spin your areas for improvement in a positive light when writing a performance review for yourself. Examples of how to do this include: I sometimes struggle to keep organized in my station, and that hurts my productivity. However, I've been studying ways to organize in a way that works for me, and I'm making an ...
Identify the article. Start your review by referring to the title and author of the article, the title of the journal, and the year of publication in the first paragraph. For example: The article, "Condom use will increase the spread of AIDS," was written by Anthony Zimmerman, a Catholic priest. 4.
39 Best Literature Review Examples (Guide with Samples) A literature review is a compilation of current knowledge on a particular topic derived from critical evaluation of different scholarly sources such as books, articles, and publications, which is then presented in an organized manner to relate to a specific research problem being investigated.
Here's an example of how you may discuss making mistakes in your self-performance review: "Because I am passionate about my work, I tend to take on many tasks at once and avoid delegating to other teammates. I've learned to be more mindful about my responsibilities as a member of this department.
Examples of literature reviews Step 1 - Search for relevant literature Step 2 - Evaluate and select sources Step 3 - Identify themes, debates, and gaps Step 4 - Outline your literature review's structure Step 5 - Write your literature review Free lecture slides Frequently asked questions Introduction Quick Run-through Step 1 & 2 Step 3 Step 4
To create a top-notch article review, start with a few preparatory steps. Here are the two main stages to get you started: Step 1: Define the right organization for your review. Knowing the future setup of your paper will help you define how you should read the article. Here are the steps to follow:
Write your review. CAE Review: Example Answer (Grade: 4) CAE Review Example: Holiday Topic A travel website has asked you to write a review of a holiday resort you have been to, explaining what kinds of people the resort is likely to appeal to, and which aspects of the resort you would most recommend to other visitors.
The multicolored wooden statue of the Madonna and Child that Giovanni Pisano made around 1290 is a great example of his work. This statue is in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Pisa. It is thought to be one of the best examples of Italian polychromy. The statue is a great example of Pisano's skill as a sculptor and of how he could make his ...
For example, you may have won a national design award for a logo you created for a client. 5. Describe your work experience. Outline your work history, starting with your most recent job, and include the job title, company, employment duration and location. Provide concise descriptions of your job duties and accomplishments in three to five ...
2. Review templates and samples. You can review templates and samples before writing your CV to learn what to include. CV samples and templates can provide insight into relevant keywords when writing about your skills or experience. Templates can also guide you in choosing an appropriate format to use. 3. Choose a CV format
2. Add a resume header. Include your contact information at the start of your resume. Important information consists of your full name, contact number, professional email address and location. Having your contact information readily accessible on the resume makes it easier for the employer to contact you.
Screenshot by Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET. 5. Use ChatGPT to co-edit your essay. Once you've written your own essay, you can use ChatGPT's advanced writing capabilities to edit it for you. You can simply ...