Review and test writing

One day in-company training course

"Excellent.  Got me to see review writing from a different angle and taught me useful techniques."

This course will help make your reviews and tests interesting whether the reader has any intention of buying/using the product or not.  Suitable for beginners, up to those with two year's experience including writers, features editors, review and games editors and technical editors.

Outline

• The reviewer as a ‘journalist’
• Applying standards to preparation and planning
• The importance of structure
• Time management
• The reader’s expectations
• Dos and don’ts

Doing it: Delegates will write a short, comparative review for a particular readership, followed by discussion

Doing it: Delegates will assess a range of review styles in publications and consider how they might be imported to create more variety in their review writing

Why review?

• The pros and cons of negative reviews
• Making assumptions on the reader’s behalf
• The conflict between providing information and entertainment
• How far to personalise a review

Doing it: Delegates will be given a review to edit, followed by a discussion on what constitutes a well-written review which answers reader requirements while remaining loyal to the ethos of the publication
 
Adding value

• The role of structure
• Visual impact
• The reviewer as the voice of authority and wisdom
• Reviewing for the Web

Doing it: Delegates will research, plan and write a review of a Web site appropriate to their own publications

Doing it: Each delegate will assess the different styles and approaches to review writing discussed throughout the day and consider how they might introduce three new elements to reviews on their own magazines

Looking for an e-learning course?

  Advanced review and test writing

One day in-company training course

"Very knowledgeable and approachable, inspiring. Good tips and lessons based on a wealth of experience and solid real-life examples."

To reassess current style, content and effectiveness of reviews and group tests with particular reference to the evolving needs of the reader, and to consider the possibilities of introducing new elements.  Suitable for reviews editors, section editors, senior writers and review writers with more than two years experience.

Outline

The imperative

• What constitutes a really useful review
• Group tests: achieving balance without blandness
• The review as the magazine’s USP

Doing it: Delegates will use the criteria discussed to write a review of a review

Focus on the reader

• Matching the profile with the review/test style and content
• Identifying particular problems in maintaining consistency
• The must-read factor

Doing it: Delegates will work in teams to construct a reader profile and write a detailed group test of video-based material for their chosen readership

Doing it: Delegates will continue to work in their teams to edit and standardise the group test

The time factor

• Coping with deadlines, late products and last minute pages to be filled

Doing it: Delegates will write a timed review

Doing it: Delegates will adapt their review according to changing criteria (layout, length, readership, style)
Discussion

Doing it: Delegates will reassess the review and test content of their own publications

Looking for an e-learning course?

For more information on how we can help you organise your course, please contact us.