Read some of the Yelp reviews for Gen Grill (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and Del Sushi (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Some Yelp reviewers are helpful, and some suck. Focus on the useful reviews. Focus on the longer reviews, ideally from more experienced reviewers. But also take note of the reviewers who are terrible at reviewing, and learn from their mistakes.

COME PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS on THURSDAY.  (No need to write down answers to these.)

A. Tone/formality

1. Slang: Do the authors use slang words? If so, what? Does that increase or decrease your trust in the reviewers?

2. How would you describe the tone/ethos? Is the tone/ethos friendly or knowledgeable, or something else? How can you tell?

B. Thesis and Support. The purpose of a food review is to convince you that you should or shouldn't visit the eatery. What star-rating does the author give this place, and how do/don't the details in the review support that rating?

C. Structure. Most food reviews address . . .

a) the quality and price of the food AND

b) the quickness and friendliness of the service. AND MAYBE

c) the ambiance--the mood of the place due to its decor and layout.

My question here is if the reviewer covers these categories, and if so, how much is written about each, and in what order? Does the order catch your attention? Is it easy to follow along with? Is the ratio of food to service to ambiance appropriate for helping you make a decision about dining there and about what to eat if you do? If not, what would you like more about?