Is the REVIEW a formal writing?

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

Is the REVIEW a form of formal writing? Would it be acceptable to write in conversational style? In fragment sentences, like in fiction writing? (like the preceding ?)

Obviously, there are words which are complete sentences in themselves, e.g., commands or replies, interjections or sound effects, to name a few. When the meanings of these are understandable, it would be stuffy to make a full sentence.

Will it be acceptable to the Review Editors?

What is your opinion?

[MrsCatInTheHat]

I am an editor. Semi-formal conversational style is fine, but I'd avoid fragments and going to casual. The grammar and spelling should still be top notch.

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

I am an editor. Semi-formal conversational style is fine, but I'd avoid fragments and going to casual. The grammar and spelling should still be top notch.

Thanks for your advice.

I am concerned with the usage of "one-word" sentences which is effective as a conversational tool. Why? Among other aspects, there is impact. And it would lend to interesting and varied sentence structure. For instance, will it be acceptable for a reviewer to say "This is good. Right?" instead of saying "This is good, right?"? (Is this double question mark acceptable practice? The first is for the quoted sentence while the second is for the whole sentence)

In the Bible, the shortest sentence is "And Jesus wept." There are no one-word sentences. And I am thinking this should be how it will go with reviews.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

I would find that too informal in a review. Dialogue would be odd.

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

Thank you very much. That is something to keep in mind while writing reviews.

[eBookreviewer]

Grammar and spelling should be taken into account as it is very important when making a review. Nobody likes to read a review with grammatical errors.

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

Grammar and spelling should be taken into account as it is very important when making a review. Nobody likes to read a review with grammatical errors.

Yes. You are right. I am referring to sentences which are, or rather constructions not considered full sentences but are colorful and figurative.

Thanks for your feedback.

[jaylperry]

I've been dinged grammar points for starting a sentence with the word "but" in one of my reviews.
I understand it is incorrect. But I enjoy writing that way!

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

I've been dinged grammar points for starting a sentence with the word "but" in one of my reviews.
I understand it is incorrect. But I enjoy writing that way!

Thanks for your reply. I have been subtracted points due to this "And" and "But" when I used these to start my sentence. Now, the Bible uses these. But now. . . (see I used it) I will just conform to their restrictions. They are the ones who rate my work.

[Arrigo_Lupori]

I guess both formal and informal are fine as long as it doesn't feel like you were talking to your friend.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

I've been dinged grammar points for starting a sentence with the word "but" in one of my reviews.
I understand it is incorrect. But I enjoy writing that way!

Thanks for your reply. I have been subtracted points due to this "And" and "But" when I used these to start my sentence. Now, the Bible uses these. But now. . . (see I used it) I will just conform to their restrictions. They are the ones who rate my work.

Much of that will depend on the overall structure of the sentence, and how it is used, as well as how often. When every other sentence starts with "and" or "but," you can be assured the editor is going to ding you. It's way too casual and informal. There are better ways to write the same thought, especially for an official review.

[ReyvrexQuestor Reyes]

Thanks for your good advice, @CatInTheHat, you sure have a point there.

[TashaCrispin]

Is the REVIEW a form of formal writing? Would it be acceptable to write in conversational style? In fragment sentences, like in fiction writing? (like the preceding ?)

Obviously, there are words which are complete sentences in themselves, e.g., commands or replies, interjections or sound effects, to name a few. When the meanings of these are understandable, it would be stuffy to make a full sentence.

Will it be acceptable to the Review Editors?

What is your opinion?

I love writing informally a little bit cause it connects more to the reader. I've been using ''And'' and ''But'' to start a sentence and never have been penalized for it. I guess two instances at most of the informality in a review ain't bad.

They even congratulate you for it if you do it well.

[4cynthia72]

I think you can write it in either way since you are writing according to your own understanding so long as you use grammatical sentences because some people I being one of them depend on review to understand a novel if I find it hard to understand what it is saying.

[Beth KG]

by Beth KG

I have a degree in Communication and Journalism and was taught while in school that "And" and "But" were acceptable sentence starters in some instances, although this had long been frowned upon. Because it was considered an error in my first review, I won't do so in this forum again, lol! I do think, however, these usages should be considered in terms of context and readability rather than as a hard and fast rule. Enjoying all things Oline Book Club, so far. Thanks!