------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGO Set Preview (Mini-Review) Form		V2.1
	created by Joshua Delahunty  (Internet: dulcaoin@alumni.cse.ucsc.edu)

This is the LEGO Set Preview Form.  It is useful for when you want to
share your reaction to a set, but don't want to write up a full
review.  It is also useful after you've gotten an initial, cursory
look at a set, and want to send out your initial reactions. Ideally,
all previews would be followed up later a full review, but this is
certainly not a requirement.

Having a pre-defined format allows LEGO enthusiasts to compare previews
using the same criteria. It assures the reviewer that no important
points will be missed, and the reader that comparable information will
always be found in a well-defined location.

This format is based on what's worked, and what hasn't, in free-form
reviews and previews that have been posted to rec.toys.lego in the past.
E-mail any comments or suggestions for improvement you might have to me at
the above address.

You should use this form as a guideline, rather than a rule. Try to
write for an international audience, and make it fun!

LATEST UPDATE
2.0 -> 2.1	Changed "Favorite Theme" to "Favorite Lines/Themes"
26-Aug-1997

1.3 -> 2.0	Upgraded to coincide with 2.3 version of Review Form
07-Feb-1997

1.0 -> 1.3	Echo of changes in review form
12-Aug-1994

(1.2)-> 1.0	Formed from 1.2 version of LEGO Review Form
31-May-1994

INSTRUCTIONS

o  Replace items in angled brackets (<,>) with your information.
o  Step counts for each model, price and reviewer information are optional.
o  Leave headings in ALL CAPS in the review.
o  Remove any section where the answer amounts to "None."
o  The copyright section at the end is optional.  You may leave it as-is,
   change it to your liking, or remove it entirely.


LIST OF PRODUCT LINES AND THEMES

Here are some example lines (ranges) and themes.  There are many other
values than those shown here. The product brochures that come with
medium and large-sized sets are the best place to look for the correct
values.

Product lines: DUPLO, Basic, Town System, Space System, Castle System,
        Pirate System, Paradisa, Aquazone, Expert Builder, Technic,
        Model Team, Belville, Boats, Trains, Wild West (Western).

Set themes: Race, Flight, Rescue, Blacktron, M:Tron, Space Police,
        Spyrius, Black Knights, Dragon Masters, Forestmen, Pirates,
        Imperial Guards, Islanders, Aquanauts, Aquasharks, Universal,
        Model, Police, Fire, Coast Guard, Freight, Metro, ...

---------------------------------- CUT HERE ----------------------------------
<set number>
<product-Line> / <theme>
<set names (on separate lines)>

Ages <x>, <x> Pcs.

Price Range: <x> <state monetary units>


RATINGS (Scale:  Must-Have  Excellent  Very-Good  Good  Fair  Poor)
Set: <Rating>  /  Models: <Rating>  /  Playability: <Rating>

DECALS
<Mention the decals, or "stickers" that came with the set.  How many are
there?  Are they large?  Attractive?  Do they require that you cover more
than one piece per sticker?  If so, can they be done without?>

SET DESCRIPTION

<Describe the set.  List the main colors that are used, what models
are supplied for building -- in the instructions, and on the box as
well.  Give the reader an idea of what's included in the set.>


INITIAL IMPRESSION

<This is the main narrative of your review.  Here you should be as
free-form as you want to be, describing your impression of the set.

Below are some points to consider while writing your review, followed
by a list of subjects you should consider covering, to add narrative
to the ratings you gave at the top of the review.

* Write in complete sentences and paragraphs. Make your descriptions
readable and lively.

* Temper your enthusiasm.  It's fine to feel fanatical or pissed off
about a set, but if you let that show in your writing, any point you
try to make will be lost if you sound like a loud, overexcited
electronics-store commercial, or a toy-store terrorist with an axe to
grind (and plastic to burn).

* Background information can be included, but to save time, this might
be best left for a full review.  If you do include this information,
keep it brief, indicating such things as why you got the set ("on
sale", "for my kid", "looked neat", etc.), and the opinions of anyone
else around ("my kid took it to play with herself", "my husband said
he never thought LEGO could be so cool", etc.)

* Write a description that you would want to read.  Ask yourself if
mentioning something about the set would seem overly obvious or out of
place.>

ELEMENTS
<Mention any elements that make an impression at first glance.  These
can be new elements you've never seen before, elements you've used,
but you see them used in a new way, etc.  The Display Tray is often a
good place to look for these>



LIKES
<List things that look like they'll appeal to you about the set.>

DISLIKES
<List things that look unappealing at first glance.>

CONCLUSION
<Where are you going from here?  Be brief.  Indicate if you feel you
might be writing up a full review of the set in the future (give us
something to look forward to).>

REVIEWER INFORMATION
Preview Written: <Date of Preview>
BY: <Name>	<Login>
Age <Age>	Favorite Lines/Themes: <Your LEGO areas of interest>

< Discuss if you collect LEGO sets as part of a collection of
elements, or if you appreciate them more as separate models - this
will probably relate to your ratings choices at the top of the review.

This section is intended to give the reader an idea about you as a
reviewer, so that the reader can make a judgement about your comments
and ratings in relation to his or her own. >


COPYRIGHT

This preview is Copyright 1997, by the author as named above.  The
author grants publication rights for all uses, public and private,
with the following exceptions: all information in the document must
be published in full; any for-profit use requires express written
permission by the author for publication in full or in part.