Write About Your Favourite Film or Book A2 Writing Practice Tests Rules & Examples

How to Write About Your Favourite Film or Book

Have you ever wanted to tell a friend about a film or book you really loved? Writing a short review or recommendation is a very useful skill in everyday English. You might write a message to a friend, a post on social media, or a short review on a website. In this lesson, you will learn how to describe your favourite film or book clearly and naturally in English, using the right structure, linking words, and grammar.

A short review or recommendation usually answers four simple questions: What is it? What is it about? Why did you like it? Would you recommend it? When you answer these four questions in a clear order, your writing becomes easy to read and very effective.

Essential Writing Rules & Sentence Structure

1. Organise Your Writing into Paragraphs

For an A2-level review or recommendation, aim to write 60–90 words in 2–3 short paragraphs. Here is a simple paragraph plan:

• Paragraph 1 – Introduction: Name the film or book and say what type it is (e.g. a comedy, a thriller, an adventure story).
• Paragraph 2 – Summary and Opinion: Say briefly what it is about and explain why you liked it.
• Paragraph 3 – Recommendation: Tell the reader who should watch or read it and why.

2. Use the Past Simple to Talk About the Story

When you describe what happened in a film or book, use the past simple tense. Remember that many common verbs are irregular.

• The story was about a young boy who went on a long journey.
• The main character met a group of friends and had many adventures.
• I watched it last weekend and I loved it.

3. Use the Present Simple for Your Opinions

Use the present simple when you give your personal opinions and recommendations, because these are still true now.

• I think it is a brilliant film.
• The story is very exciting and the characters are really interesting.
• I recommend it to everyone.

4. Use Commas After Introductory Time Clauses

When you begin a sentence with a time word or clause, always put a comma before the main part of the sentence.

• When I first saw this film, I didn't want it to end.
• After I read the first chapter, I couldn't stop reading.
• Before the film finished, I already wanted to watch it again.

Useful Linking Words (Connectors)

Linking words help you connect your ideas smoothly and make your writing easy to follow. Study this table carefully and notice how each connector is used.

Model Writing Sample: My Favourite Film – The Lion King

Read this model text carefully. Notice the structure, the linking words, and the tenses.

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My favourite film is The Lion King. It is an animated adventure film, and it is also a musical. [Paragraph 1 – Introduction: name and type of film]

The story is about a young lion called Simba. When his father died, Simba ran away because he was afraid. After many years, he returned home and became the king. I loved this film because the story is very emotional and the songs are beautiful. Although I first saw it as a child, I still watch it today. [Paragraph 2 – Summary and opinion: what it is about and why you liked it]

I recommend The Lion King to everyone. It is a wonderful film for families, so watch it with someone you love! [Paragraph 3 – Recommendation: who should watch it and why]

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Word count: 87 words

Model Text Annotation

• Introduction: "My favourite film is The Lion King. It is an animated adventure film, and it is also a musical." → Names the film and gives the type.
• Summary: "The story is about a young lion called Simba." → Uses present simple to describe the story generally.
• Past Simple narration: "When his father died, Simba ran away… he returned home and became the king." → Uses past simple for story events.
• Opinion with 'because': "I loved this film because the story is very emotional." → Gives a clear reason.
• Contrast with 'although': "Although I first saw it as a child, I still watch it today." → Shows a surprising contrast. Note the comma after the 'although' clause.
• Recommendation with 'so': "It is a wonderful film for families, so watch it with someone you love!" → Uses 'so' to give a result or consequence.

Key Phrases & Sentence Starters

Introducing Your Film or Book

• My favourite film is [title].
• My favourite book is [title] by [author].
• It is a [type] film / book. (e.g. comedy, thriller, romance, adventure, science fiction, fantasy)
• I first watched / read it [when]. (e.g. last year, when I was a child, a few months ago)

Describing the Story

• The story is about [character / topic].
• The main character is a [description] called [name].
• In the story, [character] [verb – past simple]…
• At the beginning / At the end, [what happened].
• When [event happened], [result].

Giving Your Opinion

• I loved it because [reason].
• I think it is [adjective]. (e.g. brilliant, exciting, funny, moving, interesting, scary)
• My favourite part is / was [part].
• Although [negative point], I still really enjoyed it.
• The [characters / music / story / writing] is / are really [adjective].

Making a Recommendation

• I recommend it to [who]. (e.g. everyone, people who like adventure, families)
• You should watch / read it because [reason].
• If you like [type of story], you will love this film / book.
• It is perfect for [who].

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Confusing 'because' and 'so'

❌ I loved the film so the story was exciting.
✅ I loved the film because the story was exciting. Use because to give the reason. Use so to give the result. The story was exciting, so I loved the film. ✓

Mistake 2: Missing the Comma After an Introductory Time Clause

❌ When I finished the book I felt very sad.
✅ When I finished the book, I felt very sad. Always use a comma after a clause that begins with when, before, after, or although when it comes at the start of a sentence.

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Verb Form (Past Simple Errors)

❌ The hero goed on a long journey and finded a treasure.
✅ The hero went on a long journey and found a treasure. Go and find are irregular verbs. Their past simple forms are went and found, not goed or finded.

Mistake 4: Writing a Run-On Sentence (Two Sentences Without a Connector)

❌ The film is very funny I watched it three times.
✅ The film is very funny, so I watched it three times. You cannot join two complete sentences with just a comma or no punctuation at all. Use a linking word such as so, and, or but, or start a new sentence.

Writing Checklist & Practice Task

Writing Checklist

Before you finish your writing, check each point carefully:

• ✅ Did you name the film or book and say what type it is?
• ✅ Did you describe what the story is about in 1–2 sentences?
• ✅ Did you give your opinion and explain why you liked it using 'because' or 'although'?
• ✅ Did you make a recommendation at the end?
• ✅ Did you use at least two different linking words (e.g. 'because', 'so', 'when', 'although')?
• ✅ Did you use the past simple correctly to describe story events?
• ✅ Did you put a comma after introductory clauses beginning with 'when', 'after', 'before', or 'although'?
• ✅ Is your writing between 60 and 90 words?
• ✅ Did you check your spelling, especially irregular past simple verbs (e.g. went, saw, had, felt)?

Your Practice Task

Read the writing prompt below and write your own short review in 60–90 words.

Writing Prompt:

Write a short review of your favourite film or book for a class website. Include:

• The name and type of the film or book
• A short description of the story
• Your opinion and the reasons why you liked it
• A recommendation for other students

Use the model text, key phrases, and linking words from this lesson to help you. Try to use at least three different connectors in your writing.

Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.