21. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the visual display element comprises an avatar.
19. A method for assessing sentiment of text, comprising: receiving text input via an input device, the text associated with a review relating to a particular topic; as the text is being inputted, determining, using a computer processor, based on respective scores calculated for each of one or more words included in the received text, a real-time orientation value reflecting a sentiment of the received text; and modifying, using the computer processor, an appearance of a visual display element on a display based on the determined real-time orientation value.