Writing Product Reviews for Ridiculous Inventions
Objective
Students will analyze and evaluate text by writing persuasive product reviews that include supporting evidence and clear reasoning.
Materials
- paper
- markers
- whiteboard
- chart paper
Hook
Tell students they work for a review website that tests the world's most ridiculous inventions, like shoes that make you walk backwards or a toothbrush that only works while you're sleeping. Today they'll write honest reviews to warn or encourage future buyers.
Main Activity
Display silly invention ideas on the whiteboard (umbrella hat for fish, solar-powered flashlight, etc.) and have students choose one to review. Students must write a detailed product review including: star rating, pros and cons list, who should buy this product, and a final recommendation with clear reasoning. They should write as if they actually tested the product, creating believable details about their experience. Students will include persuasive language and specific examples to support their opinions. After writing, students will read their reviews aloud in their best serious reviewer voice.
Discussion Questions
- What makes a product review helpful to other customers?
- How did you decide what evidence to include in your review?
- Which persuasive techniques work best when trying to convince someone?
- How do you balance honesty with being entertaining in your writing?
- What details made the reviews sound most believable?
Exit Ticket
Write one sentence explaining why including specific details and evidence makes your writing more convincing to readers.
Differentiation
Support: Provide a review template with sentence starters like 'This product works well for…' and 'One problem I noticed was…' to help structure their writing.
Extension: Have students create a comparison review examining two competing ridiculous products and arguing which one offers better value for customers.
