Revising the Restaurant Review

Here are some tips for how to revise your restaurant review:

EDITING

Is the name of the restaurant capitalized?
Is it clear where the rest. is located?
Are there any texting mistakes, like u for you? Those are fatal!
Are there clearly definable paragraphs?
Is the writing sloppy at times?




REVISION

1. As you read the review, do you get a sense of being there? Do you smell the food, see the decor, or hear the sizzle of cooking or the clanking of dishes? How is the level of descriptive detail? Are there strong examples?

2. Does it feel like the author is a part of the review? Does the author speak of his or her own experience with the place or only of the food?

3. Does the review feel rushed or incomplete? Does it feel like the author simply got the assignment done or that the author actually thought through each piece of this assignment?

4. What would make this review better?

Being Plugged In

Are we better off as people because we have such constant access to so much information, or have we lost sight of what is important because of all of that? Are we better people because we can google the capital of Rwanda in 10 seconds? Or is our reliance on technology making us weak? Make an argument!

Best Sport

What is the best sport on the planet and why? Is it that swimming, skiing, curling, American football, intelligent football, Basketball, that one sport with a stick and ball where everyone stands around in the field? Make your case.

Do the Buildings Exhibit a Value System?

This is a great thought from one of your classmates. Is it possible that the buildings we construct say something about who we are and what we value? If so, what do they say?

Also, how are tangible things like buildings (or cars or phones...) related to intangible things like values (or love or hope...)?

--thanks to Sherri for this idea!

RESTAURANT REVIEW ASSIGNMENT

For this assignment you need to go research a restaurant (meaning, eat there and take notes) and write a review of your experience. Your review should be creative, specific, and enticing. You should use your writing to make your reader taste, see, and smell the food you ate. In other words, be descriptive. If possible, go with someone else so that you can experience (and even taste?) various dishes. However, try to avoid writing about restaurants that you think others in class might choose. If you choose a chain restaurant, be sure to tell your reader which one it is—i.e. not just “McDonalds” but “the McDonalds at the corner of Coffee and Hageman.” Also, if you choose to do a review of a chain, like Der Wienerschnitzel, you had better do something to make your review stand out.
You may follow one of the samples we examine in class, create your own rating system, or follow any creative instincts that allow you to effectively convey the information on this restaurant.

Your review must comment on the ambiance, the food, and the service.

Typed Rough Draft Due in Class: Friday 4/17

If you do not bring a typed rough draft to class on this day, you fail this assignment.


FINAL DRAFT DUE: Monday 4/20

Your review should be between 700 and 1000 words. (approximately 2 pages)

ROMAN AQUEDUCT IN SEGOVIA, SPAIN

This is a waterway that the Romans built almost 2000 years ago. It makes me think; what of our society will still be standing in 2000 years? Look around you...what will last and what will be gone?

Can you guess the title of this painting?

Is this beautiful? Is it hideous? Is this good art?