Cambridge writing review practice can be more engaging when students use book reviews, comics, graphic novels and zines to develop their English writing and visual literacy skills.
In Cambridge English exams, reviews are not always compulsory. Depending on the exam level, students may be able to choose between different writing tasks, such as emails, letters, articles, reports, stories or reviews.
However, when a review appears as an option, it can be a very useful choice. A review has a clear structure: an introduction, the main opinion, a different point of view or limitation, and a final recommendation. This makes it easier for students to organise their ideas and write with purpose.
Book review writing activity
At ISI Dublin, we often help students practise review writing by using comic books, graphic novels and visual storytelling. This format works well because it combines images and language, helping students think about both meaning and presentation.
This type of activity can make writing practice more creative and less intimidating. Students still work on important exam skills, such as structure, vocabulary, opinion language and recommendation phrases, but they do so through a more visual and practical task.
English writing skills and visual literacy
Cambridge writing review practice
Writing a review in comic book or graphic novel format helps students improve more than just their written English. It also develops visual literacy: the ability to understand how images, layout, text and design work together to communicate meaning.
These skills can later be used in other types of reviews, such as film reviews, theatre reviews, restaurant reviews, exhibition reviews or travel reviews. Students learn how to express an opinion clearly, support it with examples and guide the reader towards a final judgement or recommendation.
Creating a class zine
After students complete their reviews, the class can collect the work and publish it in a simple D.I.Y. format called a zine. A zine is a small self-published magazine, often created by a group of people who want to share ideas, artwork, writing or opinions.
Zines became popular in fan communities, especially in science fiction culture, before the internet made online sharing easy. They allowed people to collaborate, publish their own work and connect with others who had similar interests.
In the classroom, zines give students more control over the writing process. They are not only writing for the teacher; they are creating something that can be shared with classmates and other readers. This can make the task feel more real, more creative and more motivating.
Erasmus teaching methodology
Activities like this can also be useful for teachers interested in creative classroom practice, project-based learning and student-centred tasks. They can support English language learning while encouraging collaboration, communication and creativity.
For teachers and education professionals, this type of project connects naturally with Erasmus courses for teachers in Dublin, where participants can explore English language development, classroom methodology and practical teaching ideas.
CLIL classroom activity
A zine project can also work well as a CLIL classroom activity. Students can use English to explore literature, art, media, culture or another subject area, while also developing language skills. This makes the task useful for both language learning and content learning.
Teachers interested in this approach can learn more about our CLIL Methodology Course for Teachers, which focuses on practical strategies for teaching subject content through English.
Learning beyond the classroom
Creative projects like book reviews, comics and zines help students practise English in a meaningful way. They also build confidence, encourage peer review and create stronger connections between students.
At ISI Dublin, this kind of learning can be combined with cultural activities, social interaction and real-life English practice. Teachers and students can also explore Dublin through our Social Programme for Teachers in Dublin and discover why many participants choose to study in Dublin.