Reviews: Audience

Defining the Audience

Audiences for reviews can vary widely. They might include regular patrons of a restaurant, viewers of a certain type of film, or readers of a specific genre of books.
When writing a review, keep in mind the expected level of knowledge, interests, and expectations of your audience.
The tone, vocabulary, and amount of detail used in your review will be dictated by your audience.

Engaging the Audience

It’s important to hook your reader’s interest early on in a review. This way, they’re likely to continue reading and take your opinions seriously.
Use colourful, engaging and precise language to grab the reader’s attention.
Use your own experience and perspective to provide a unique viewpoint that will catch and hold your audience’s attention.

Audience Expectations

Your audience will expect a fair, balanced, and detailed analysis of the item being reviewed.
Be sure to cover all aspects that are important to the audience. For example, food reviews should cover taste, nutrition, service, and value.
Stay true to your audience’s interests, language level, and prior knowledge. A video game review for young children will be very different to one intended for adult gamers.

Adapting Tone and Style for the Audience

The tone and style of writing should mirror the style and level of the piece being reviewed.
A review for a sophisticated and complex novel might use a more formal, literary style, while a review of a family movie might adopt a more casual, engaging tone.
The audience’s preferences, understanding, and expectations should shape the tone and register of your review.

Connecting with the Audience

Treat readers as though they are intelligent but uninformed about the subject of your review - explain thoroughly and anticipate queries they might have.
Be respectful of differing opinions. Remember that not all readers will agree with your review. Express your thoughts as your own perspective, not absolute facts.
Make use of personal pronouns like ‘you’ to speak directly to the reader, creating a more conversational and immediate style.

Review Conventions for Specific Audiences

Different publication platforms will have different audience expectations. For example, a theatre review for a local newspaper may be more straightforward and less critical than one for a specialist theatre magazine.
Use relevant vocabulary and industry terms, but ensure they are likely to be familiar to your audience or take time to explain them.
Some audiences may expect scoring or grading in reviews, so consider using a star or points system. This provides a quick and easily understandable indication of your overall opinion.