Unbiased Reviews by Real People
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Unbiased Reviews by Real People
Plot Summary.com?!!Jun 21, 2000 (Updated Oct 1, 2000) Write an essay on this topic.One thing I have been noticing in book and movie reviews lately is the lack of imagination. In more than a few cases I have checked out an opinion only to find that the author had simply summarized the plot and left it at that. This reminds of of when I used to have to write book reports in school. By about 3rd grade or so my teachers threw me for a loop. All of a sudden just summarizing the book I was supposed to do a report on and turning it in would not suffice. All of a sudden they wanted this thing called 'analysis.' IT was OK to summarize still, but that could be only a very small part of the report. The largest part of it had to be composed of my opinions and my in depth analysis of the book in its various aspects. How well developed were the characters? Was the plot coherent? Is there anything I would change about it? Did the author do anything with it I would not have done if I had written it? In short, for the first time ever, I was asked to expend some actual mental effort. Not just to regurgitate the information easily found on the book's back cover, but to internalize it and give my own spin on it. And this is what I expect to see when I read book and music reviews here at epinions.com. I have found that I have had to make an exception to my normal rating system when it comes to the entertainment category. Usually a long, well written opinion with some detail will not get below an SR, depending on various other factors. But a few times I have gone to book and movie reviews which basically turned out to be a summary of the main events of the work's plot from beginning to end. Some even spoiled the ending of the book or movie by revealing the end and all secrets. And so that is the advice I have if you want to review a book or movie. If you really want to discuss the plot you may, but overall it should be about 10% plot summary and 90% your impressions. When you sit down to write, think about your own opinions about the movie and be prepared to give them. If it seems to me like you copied off the back of the book or movie cover or just recited major events in the plot you will get an NR from me because your information is of little if any use to anyone and may actually spoil it for those who have not yet seen it. We are adults here with unique minds and perspectives. Do not miss out on an opportunity to give your perspective because I can guarentee that is one thing you have that sets you apart from all other writers.  |
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