I like to see... (What is opinion writing all about?)

Member Name: jennikitten

Product:	What is opinion writing all about?
Date:	02/12/08 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Personal views

Disadvantages: Criticism

Ironically, I have specific ideas what I want from reading reviews and opinions, and I don't necessarily follow it myself! So this might seem a bit hypocritical in a way, but this is more a focus on what I like to read and what I think makes good opinion writing.

Firstly, balancing facts and opinion is a crucial part of getting your point across. I've read reviews where there is so much opinion I don't even know what the product actually is (it doesn't help that some makeup items have really obscure names and pictures). On the other hand, I've also read reviews which are a list of technical specifications. Neither of these things alone are helpful to me, for obvious reasons! So it's important to get the vital facts across but also what you've thought of the product to a) convince me you're very familiar with what you're writing and b) so I understand what you're actually saying and why.

Secondly, giving reasons for your opinion and supporting your argument makes it much more convincing. Disliking something is one thing; disliking something because it smells like feet or it contains too much salt which affects the taste gives me something to consider and perhaps avoid. Or look out for. If it's great, tell me why.

Treating all opinion pieces in the same way is another thing that drives me crazy. If people aren't listing useless things, then they are breaking their writing up into the same headings, even if they're writing about a shampoo or a trip to Egypt. Strucuting all your opinions so rigidily almost makes them into fact by default and you're trying to cram things into tiny boxes that they may not fit into. If you have headings - and they are lovely when used properly - make sure they are relevant to both your category and your product.

Contradicting yourself is perhaps the worst thing you can do in opinion writing. I've not read too many reviews here like that because people tend to stick to the same theme of 'I like it!' or 'I hate it!' throughout their review, but others seem to make one point and then two paragraphs down completely contradict themselves in another point. This makes me lose faith in the writer as they clearly haven't read the review back or planned it properly, or their argument seems flawed.

So, just a few key ieas of what opinion writing I like to see :)

Summary: Just some ideas!