Writing a Holiday Break Review
Review Your Holiday Break
Lesson duration is: 45 minItems in this lesson
Review Your Holiday Break
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Learning goal
I can write a clear 80–100 word review of my holiday break with a title, rating, summary, pros and cons, and a recommendation.
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Reading; Hunger Games
10
minute
00
second
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Three words for a holiday break
Use this as the opening pair-chat in digital form. Expect adjectives such as relaxing, rainy, exciting, boring, busy or fun, then bridge to how these words can be used in a review.
What is a review?
A review gives your opinion about an experience.
It helps the reader understand:
what happened
what was good
what was less good
whether you recommend it
Keep the focus on writing purpose: a review is not only a story about the holiday, but an evaluation of it.
A review is more than a story
A story tells events in time order.
A review also judges the experience:
Was it enjoyable?
What were the highlights?
Was anything disappointing?
Would you recommend it?
Students may drift into recount writing. Stress the difference between describing events and giving an opinion.
The parts of a good review
Every review in this lesson includes:
Title
Rating
Summary / context
Pros and cons
Recommendation
These parts make the text easy to follow.
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A simple writing plan
Use this order:
Start with a creative title and star rating.
Explain where you were, what you did, and who you were with.
Give one highlight and one lowlight.
End with your final opinion and recommendation.
Link this directly to the later writing task so students see the structure as a practical frame, not theory.
Useful opinion phrases
These phrases help your review sound clear:
In my opinion, ...
In my view, ...
What I liked most was ...
The best part was ...
The worst part was ...
I would recommend ...
Encourage students to copy 2–3 phrases they want to use. This supports weaker writers without forcing all students into the same sentences.
Which part makes a text a review, not only a story?
Time order
A judgement
Many details
Past tense
Tests the key distinction from slides 2–3: a review evaluates the experience instead of only recounting events.
Descriptive words make reviews stronger
Choose specific adjectives for your break:
positive: relaxing, exciting, fun, peaceful
negative: boring, tiring, busy, rainy
Strong adjectives make your opinion more interesting.
If needed, quickly add a few extra adjectives from students' own examples at the board.
Linking words for balance
Use linking words to connect ideas:
On the one hand, ...
However, ...
Also, ...
Because, ...
Overall, ...
These words help you move from positive points to negative points.
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Model review
My Quiet October Break ★★★☆☆
During the holiday break, I mostly stayed home in Amsterdam with my family and friends. What I enjoyed most was sleeping in and playing video games. However, the weather was rainy, so we could not go outside much. Overall, it was a fine break to recharge, and I would recommend taking time to rest!
Read it once fluently before analysing it. Hearing the whole text first helps students recognise the review as a complete model.
How the model is organised
Title: My Quiet October Break
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary / context: stayed home in Amsterdam with family and friends
Highlight: sleeping in and playing video games
Lowlight: rainy weather
Recommendation: time to rest is worth it
Opinion language: What I enjoyed most...
Linking word: However
Review features
More review features
This slide turns the model into a checklist. Make clear that students do not need to copy the exact content, only the structure.
Why this model works
The review is effective because it:
gives clear context
includes both a positive and a negative point
uses opinion language
ends with a clear final judgement
A balanced review sounds more believable.
Students often think a review must be only positive or only negative. Emphasise that mixed opinions are normal and useful.
Which linking word shows a contrast?
Also
Because
Overall
However
Checks the linking-word function from slide 8 and prepares students to spot it in the model review.
Name one review feature from the model.
Expected elements: title and rating; summary/context; one positive point such as sleeping in or video games; one negative point such as rainy weather; recommendation/final judgement. Accept any one valid feature students notice.
Complete the model review summary
In the model review, the writer stayed home in Amsterdam with family and friends. The highlight was playing video games. However, the weather was rainy. Overall, the writer recommends taking time to rest.
Echoes the exact model on slides 9–11 and focuses on load-bearing words: context, contrast, lowlight and final judgement.
Step 1: Title and rating
Start with:
a creative title
a star rating from ★ to ★★★★★
Examples:
A Rainy but Fun Week ★★★★☆
My Boring Break at Home ★★☆☆☆
Point out that the title should already give a hint about the writer's opinion.
Step 2: Introduction
In 2–3 sentences, explain:
where you were
what you did
who you were with
This gives the reader the basic context for your review.
Remind students that this part is short. They do not need to describe every day of the holiday.
Step 3: Highlights and lowlights
In 2–3 sentences, include:
one highlight
one thing that could have been better
Useful starters:
The best part was ...
The worst part was ...
However, ...
If students get stuck, suggest simple contrasts such as good weather/bad weather, fun activity/too much travelling, time with friends/not enough rest.
Step 4: Final verdict
End with 1–2 sentences.
Say:
your overall opinion
whether you recommend this type of break
a short reason why
Example: Overall, it was a relaxing break, and I would recommend it if you need rest.
Students often stop after the details. Stress that a review needs a final judgement.
Before you finish
Check your writing for:
capital letters
full stops and commas
spelling of key words
a clear title and rating
at least one positive point
This preserves the plan's final quality checks without turning the slide into an activity instruction.
What should come in Step 2?
Final verdict
Title and rating
Introduction
Highlights
Checks the sequence of the writing frame from slides 13–16.
Which part of your review will be easiest to write?
Title and rating
Introduction
Highlights and lowlights
Final verdict
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Your writing task
Write your own review of your recent holiday break.
Requirements:
80–100 words
in English
clear opinion
correct structure
Your review should help a classmate understand your break and your judgement of it.
Keep attention on length and structure. 80–100 words is enough for a complete review without becoming too difficult.
What is one thing you learned today?
Reflection only. Invite short answers about the learning experience, such as structure, useful phrases, or balancing positives and negatives.
What helped you most with writing today?
Reflection only. Likely answers: model review, checklist, useful phrases, step-by-step plan, peer check, adjectives or linking words.
Which part still feels difficult?
Reflection only. Encourage students to name one difficulty, for example word count, spelling, recommendation, or writing a lowlight.
Glossary
review - a text that gives an opinion about something
rating - a score, often shown with stars
summary - a short description of the main details
context - the basic situation, such as where, when, and with whom
highlight - the best or most enjoyable part
lowlight - the least enjoyable or disappointing part
recommendation - advice about whether others should try it
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Glossary
opinion - what you think or feel about something
adjective - a word that describes a noun
descriptive - using clear details to create a strong picture
transition - a word or phrase that connects ideas
overall - considering everything together
verdict - the final judgement or conclusion
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