One of the best ways a person can get information about a product they are interested in is via a well-written review by someone who actually owns that product and has used it over some time. However, to be truly useful, a review must not just be a long version of "I loved it", or "I think its a pile of junk!". It must be a *fair* well thought out in-depth descriptive discussion of what the product is, its intended uses, and how well it works on the tasks it was designed for.
[glow=red,2,300]Tip #1: Structure The Review[/glow]
A review which has little or no structure can often end up as just a long rambling essay which is difficult to read and which fails to make the review's relevant points stand out. I usually see reviewed articles in four distinct segments: the preamble, Product Description/Features, Product Performance, and Summary remarks.
The PREAMBLE generally consists of the title (including product name, manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), and an available outlet for purchasing).
*** XYZ Optics WHIZ-BANG ***
Automatic @ssembly Device
MSRP $449.95 from Beagle Optics
(some assembly required)
The next section is the PRODUCT DESCRIPTION/FEATURES. This section should include the product's vital statistics and features (size, weight, aperture, appearance, accessories, ect.), as well as a complete description of exactly what the product actually does. However, extremely technical descriptions of function are not always necessary, unless a lack of such knowledge might severely impact the owner's purchase decision or future use of the product. The Product Description can include a few comments concerning how well things go together or opinions on design and setup, but most of the main review criticism should probably wait until the Performance section gets going..
The third section, PRODUCT PERFORMANCE, is the real meat, and contains most of the information about how well the product worked. Its information should have a firm basis in actual use of the product, with accounts of *extensive* observations or first hand experience with the reviewed item. Keeping things down to an easily readable length should be kept in mind continuously when writing good product reviews.
The final segment is the SUMMARY REMARKS, which sort of "ties the ribbons" on the review. In it, the reviewer gives a brief one or two line summary of the article's highpoints.
Hopefully, this style of review organization will give you at least some idea of how to proceed when writing one yourself. You need not stick to exactly this kind of layout, but I have found this form to be a fairly useful one. As far as to how long a review should be, it depends greatly on what the reviewed item is and what the style of the writer develops into. However, remember that the faster you are able to convey the information to the reader, the better the review will generally be.
[glow=red,2,300]Tip #2: Know Your Product[/glow]
A review should be done after the reviewer has had some time to use the item. However, after some more study, some opinions and experiences may change requiring a partial rewrite of sections.
[glow=red,2,300]Tip #3: Do Comparisons [shadow=red,left]***If Possible***[/shadow][/glow]
Comparing one product to a similar one can really help the reader pin down their feelings about purchasing the product. However, there are some potential pitfalls with this method. If the apertures are not the same or the viewing comparisons are done under differing conditions, performance differences can be seen which are not necessarily the fault of the reviewed product.
[glow=red,2,300]
Tip #4: Write a Fair and Balanced Review[/glow]
It can be hard for a person to put aside many personal beliefs and just put up the facts, but many times, that can be a good way to write a good review. The personal touch of opinion can be blended into the later parts of a review, but for the best results, the facts come first. The key is to be very aware of your biases and compensate accordingly.
[glow=red,2,300]Summary[/glow]
Consumers writing a review has two notable benefits. It gets potentially useful information out to those who might need it, plus, it makes the reviewer think more about various issues, eventually making the writer an even better and more informed equipment purchaser. I encourage those who have specific experience with some item which might be useful to the amateur reefer to consider writing a review about it. Now all of you can get out there and start banging away on those keys!
.
[shadow=red,left]Clear water to you.[/shadow]
[glow=red,2,300]Tip #1: Structure The Review[/glow]
A review which has little or no structure can often end up as just a long rambling essay which is difficult to read and which fails to make the review's relevant points stand out. I usually see reviewed articles in four distinct segments: the preamble, Product Description/Features, Product Performance, and Summary remarks.
The PREAMBLE generally consists of the title (including product name, manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), and an available outlet for purchasing).
*** XYZ Optics WHIZ-BANG ***
Automatic @ssembly Device
MSRP $449.95 from Beagle Optics
(some assembly required)
The next section is the PRODUCT DESCRIPTION/FEATURES. This section should include the product's vital statistics and features (size, weight, aperture, appearance, accessories, ect.), as well as a complete description of exactly what the product actually does. However, extremely technical descriptions of function are not always necessary, unless a lack of such knowledge might severely impact the owner's purchase decision or future use of the product. The Product Description can include a few comments concerning how well things go together or opinions on design and setup, but most of the main review criticism should probably wait until the Performance section gets going..
The third section, PRODUCT PERFORMANCE, is the real meat, and contains most of the information about how well the product worked. Its information should have a firm basis in actual use of the product, with accounts of *extensive* observations or first hand experience with the reviewed item. Keeping things down to an easily readable length should be kept in mind continuously when writing good product reviews.
The final segment is the SUMMARY REMARKS, which sort of "ties the ribbons" on the review. In it, the reviewer gives a brief one or two line summary of the article's highpoints.
Hopefully, this style of review organization will give you at least some idea of how to proceed when writing one yourself. You need not stick to exactly this kind of layout, but I have found this form to be a fairly useful one. As far as to how long a review should be, it depends greatly on what the reviewed item is and what the style of the writer develops into. However, remember that the faster you are able to convey the information to the reader, the better the review will generally be.
[glow=red,2,300]Tip #2: Know Your Product[/glow]
A review should be done after the reviewer has had some time to use the item. However, after some more study, some opinions and experiences may change requiring a partial rewrite of sections.
[glow=red,2,300]Tip #3: Do Comparisons [shadow=red,left]***If Possible***[/shadow][/glow]
Comparing one product to a similar one can really help the reader pin down their feelings about purchasing the product. However, there are some potential pitfalls with this method. If the apertures are not the same or the viewing comparisons are done under differing conditions, performance differences can be seen which are not necessarily the fault of the reviewed product.
[glow=red,2,300]
Tip #4: Write a Fair and Balanced Review[/glow]
It can be hard for a person to put aside many personal beliefs and just put up the facts, but many times, that can be a good way to write a good review. The personal touch of opinion can be blended into the later parts of a review, but for the best results, the facts come first. The key is to be very aware of your biases and compensate accordingly.
[glow=red,2,300]Summary[/glow]
Consumers writing a review has two notable benefits. It gets potentially useful information out to those who might need it, plus, it makes the reviewer think more about various issues, eventually making the writer an even better and more informed equipment purchaser. I encourage those who have specific experience with some item which might be useful to the amateur reefer to consider writing a review about it. Now all of you can get out there and start banging away on those keys!
. [shadow=red,left]Clear water to you.[/shadow]