In this section, students analyse:
1) the structural elements;
2) the common language structures; and 3) the vocabulary of popular culture reviews.
Language Structures in Popular Culture Reviews
Popular culture reviews have common language structure patterns that can be identified and used.
In the extension activity in ‘Introducing Reviews’, students presented a brief and informal popular culture review of a product they recently experienced. The following activity introduces students to the structural elements of a product review, using popular culture product reviews as examples.
Worksheets 2E.5, 2E.6, 2E.7 and 2E.8 are designed to build on their knowledge of reviews from the ‘Introducing Reviews’ section. Students are asked to identify the structural elements of reviews and analyse the common language features of reviews.
Teacher Tips: Structural Elements of a Popular Culture Review
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Although popular culture reviews (e.g. video games, television shows, film or music) do not share similar content, they do share similar structural elements.
In general, a popular culture review includes: an interesting opening line or hook; the body describing the product’s content; and a recommendation.
A popular culture review usually starts with an interesting opening line to hook readers’ interest. It quite often includes some factual information (e.g. the product name).
The body of the review highlights selected details or features of the product (i.e. details that the reviewer particularly likes or dislikes).
The final sentence or paragraph usually includes a summary and a recommendation.
96 Part 2: Unit E Reviews
The Year of the Dragon! RNCT, NET Section, CDI, EDB, HKSAR Worksheet 2E.5: The Year of the Dragon!
Structural Elements of a Review ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________
LanguageStructureY/N Example 1. adjective(s)+ noun 2. (pro) noun + ‘to be’+ adjective 3. simple present tense 4. comparative/superlative adjectives 5. passive
Name: __________________________ Class: ________ ( ) A. Read the review below. B. In the second box, label the elements of the review. C.In the third box, check language features that are in the review and provide an example. Review 1: The Year of the Dragon! Your wait is almost over…the new,exciting installment of Dragons from the Dungeonis about to hit the Hong Kong gaming community. A sneak peek and an hour’s game time reveal that Dragons from the Dungeon: Darkness Destroyed has incredible fantasy role-playing action that allows gamers to employ new open-world and roam-around freedom. Gamers can use ultra-modern technology or more traditional swords and magic to defend against the deadly dungeon dragons. Darkness Destroyed is not only the best of the Dragons from the Dungeon series, but also the most exciting game in the current gaming market.It is captivating!
Worksheet 2E.5:
The Year of the Dragon!
A Toe Curler! RNCT, NET Section, CDI, EDB, HKSAR Worksheet 2E.6:A Toe Curler!
StructuralElements of a Review ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ _________________
Language StructureY/N Example 1. Adjective(s)+ noun 2. noun + ‘to be’+ adjective 3. simple present tense 4. comparative/superlative adjectives 5. passive
Name: __________________________ Class: ________ ( ) A. Read the review below. B. In the second box, label the elements of the review. C.In the third box, check language features that are in the review and provide an example. Review 2: A Toe Curler! Is it possible to have a Hong Kong film that does not involve martial arts, triads, or a sickly sweet romance? In a word, yes.Produced by local film companyICU, Trail Walker steers clear ofkung fu, gangsters and romantic relationships. Instead, it follows the crazy determination of a young teen as he prepares for the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker. The film begins at the end as we watch Stephy Coolio cross the finish line on feet blistered, bleeding and lacking toe nails. The viewer is then propelled back in time to the tragic event that motivates the teenager to embark on a remarkable journey that is bigger and more challenging than the MacLehose Trail.Trail Walker is riveting. It is a cinematic journey not to be missed. Go see it!
Worksheet 2E.6:
A Toe Curler!
Teacher Tips: Language Structures in Popular Culture Reviews
• Although popular culture reviews do not share similar content, they do share some similar language structures.
• Language structures common to reviews include: adjectives + noun, noun + ‘to be’ + adjective, passives etc.
• The effect of using the passive voice in popular culture reviews is to emphasise the doer or the thing done by placing it at the end of the sentence: ‘The new film was created by Hong Kong film makers.’
Reality Television? RNCT, NET Section, CDI, EDB, HKSAR Worksheet 2E.7:Reality Television?
StructuralElements of a Review ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ _________________
LanguageStructureY/N Example 1. adjective(s)+ noun 2. (pro)noun+‘to be’+ adjective 3. simple present tense 4. comparative/superlative adjectives 5. passive
Name: __________________________ Class: ________ ( ) A. Read the review below. B. In the second box, label the elements of the review. C.In the third box, check language features that are in the review and provide an example. Review 3: Reality Television? Some things in life are not worth waiting for. A case in point isthelatest reality television showThe King Family in Hong Kong.This is 25minutes of your life that you will never get back if you sit down to watch. It is a wasteof time. This latest version of so-called reality television follows the King family as they first arrive in Hong Kong after the mother, Mimi, has been hired by a large investment bank. The failing of the show lies with its obsessive focus on the father, Bo, who spends his unemployed days discovering the city and, more often than not, complaining about it. The worst part of the focus on the father is not necessarily his loutish behaviour, but the fact that we don’t really care…about anything this family does. Viewing is not recommended.
Worksheet 2E.7:
Reality Television?
Hawkers’ Delight! RNCT, NET Section, CDI, EDB, HKSAR Worksheet 2E.8:Hawkers’ Delight!
StructuralElements of a Review ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ __________________ ___________________ _________________
Language StructureY/N Example 1. adjective(s)+ noun 2. (pro)noun + ‘to be’+ adjective 3. simple present tense 4. comparative/superlative adjectives 5. passive
Name: __________________________ Class: ________ ( ) A. Read the review below. B.In the second box, label the elements of the review. C.In the third box, check language features that are in the review and provide an example. Review 4: Hawkers’ Delight! The reason the local band The Fishballsonly hasthree albums is that theydo not like to spend time in a studio recording their music. With Live in HK,recorded at Mongkok Stadium earlier this year,The Fishballsgive fans a fourth album that is their most energetic CD to date. This energy seems to come from the freedom of not being confined to the studio. It is infectious. Guitars, drums and horns combine with lead singer Dan Tart’s swaggering vocals to produce a strong sound that celebrates live performance. From the opening song, ‘Bones in the Skin’ to the final track ‘Bamboo Skewer’, The Fishballs’ daring new album will no doubt whet the appetite of hungry fans.
Worksheet 2E.8:
Hawkers’ Delight!
Suggested Procedures
1. Put students in the same expert reading groups (A, B, C, D) from the first section.
2. Give students corresponding worksheets, 2E.5 The Year of the Dragon!, 2E.6: A Toe Curler!, 2E.7: Reality Television? or 2E.8: Hawkers’ Delight!.
Note: Ensure that students receive a different review from the one used earlier.
3. Students read the popular culture review in the first box.
4. Students identify the three main structural elements of the review (opening hook, body, recommendation) in the second box.
98 Part 2: Unit E Reviews
7. Students return to their base group.
8. Give students worksheets so that every student has all four i.e. 2E.5, 2E.6, 2E.7 and 2E.8.
9. Students take turns presenting the structural elements and language structures that they found in their review while classmates take notes.
10. As a suggestion, students consolidate the language structures from the four reviews into one larger table. Students then add their own examples. The table is then used as a reference bank.