How to Write a Book Review

How to Write a password reassessment A give-and-take review is a description, critical analysis, and an military rank on the quality, meaning, and significance of a keep, not a retelling. It should focus on the deems excogitation, content, and authority. A critical book review is not a book answer for or a summary. It is a reaction paper in which strengths and weaknesses of the material argon analyzed. It should include a statement of what the author has tried to do, evaluates how well (in the conviction of the reviewer) the author has succeeded, and presents evidence to support this evaluation.There is no right way to write a book review. Book reviews ar highly personal and strike the opinions of the reviewer. A review can be as short as 50-100 words, or as long as 1500 words, depending on the purpose of the review. The following be standard procedures for opus book reviews they ar suggestions, not formulae that must be used. 1. Write a statement giving essential tea ching about the book title, author, first copyright date, quality of book, public subject matter, special features (maps, color plates, etc. ), price and ISBN. 2. State the authors purpose in opus the book.Sometimes authors state their purpose in the preface or the first chapter. When they do not, you may arrive at an agniseing of the books purpose by asking yourself these questions a. why did the author write on this subject rather than on some some other subject? b. From what hitch of view is the determine written? c. Was the author trying to give information, to explain something technical, to convince the proof endorser of a beliefs validity by dramatizing it in action? d. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it? (Use outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field, if necessary. Knowledge of the genre means understanding the art form. and how it functions. e. Who is the in persisted audience? f. What is the authors mien? Is it buc kram or informal? Evaluate the quality of the writing style by using some of the following standards coherence, clarity, originality, forcefulness, correct use of technical words, conciseness, fullness of development, fluidity. Does it equip the mean audience? g. Scan the Table of Contents, it can help understand how the book is organized and will aid in determining the authors main ideas and how they are developed chronologically, topically, etc. . How did the book affect you? Were both previous ideas you had on the subject changed, aband hotshotd, or reinforced due to this book? How is the book related to your consume course or personal agenda? What personal experiences youve had relate to the subject? h. How well has the book achieved its goal? i. Would you recommend this book or article to others? Why? 3. State the cornerstone and the thesis of the book. a. Theme The theme is the subject or topic. It is not necessarily the title, and it is usually not expressed in a utter (a) sentence. It expresses a specific phase of the general subject matter. . Thesis The thesis is an authors generalization about the theme, the authors beliefs about something important, the books philosophical conclusion, or the proposition the author means to prove. Express it without metaphor or other figurative language, in one declarative sentence. caseful Title We Had it Made General Subject MatterReligious Intolerance Theme The resultants of religious intolerance on a small town Thesis Religious intolerance, a sickness of individuals, contaminates an entire social group 4. Explain the method of development-the way the author supports the thesis.Illustrate your remarks with specific references and quotations. In general, authors tend to use the following methods, exclusively or in combination. a. DescriptionThe author presents word-pictures of scenes and events by giving specific details that appeal to the five senses, or to the readers imagination. Description presents ba ckground and setting. Its primary purpose is to help the reader realize, through as many sensuous details as possible, the way things (and people) are, in the episodes being described. b. Narration The author tells the story of a series of events, usually presented in chronological order.In a novel however, chronological order may be violated for the sake of the plot. The emphasis in narration, in both fiction and non-fiction, is on the events. Narration tells what has happened. Its primary purpose is to tell a story. c. commentary The author uses explanation and analysis to present a subject or to clarify an idea. Exposition presents the facts about a subject or an issue as clearly and impartially as possible. Its primary purpose is to explain. d. Argument The author uses the techniques of persuasion to establish the truth of a statement or to convince the reader of its falsity.The purpose is to persuade the reader to believe something and perhaps to act on that belief. Argument t akes sides on an issue. Its primary purpose is to convince. 5. Evaluate the book for interest, accuracy, objectivity, importance, thoroughness, and usefulness to its intended audience. Show whether the authors main arguments are true. Respond to the authors opinions. What do you agree or disagree with? And why? Illustrate whether or not any conclusions drawn are derived logically from the evidence. Explore issues the book raises. What possibilities does the book suggest?What has the author omitted or what problems were left unsolved? What specific points are not convincing? Compare it with other books on similar subjects or other books by the same as well as different authors. Is it only a reworking of earlier books a defensive measure of previous positions? Have newly uncovered sources justified a new approach by the author? Comment on parts of particular interest, and point out anything that seems to give the book literary merit. Relate the book to larger issues. 6. Try to find f urther information about the author reputation, qualifications, influences, biographical, etc. any information that is relevant to the book being reviewed and that would help to establish the authors authority. Can you discern any connections between the authors philosophy, life news report experience and the reviewed book? 7. If relevant, make whole step of the books format layout, binding, typography, etc. Are thither maps, illustrations? Do they aid understanding? 8. Check the back matter. Is the index accurate? Check any end notes or footnotes as you read from chapter to chapter. Do they provide important additional information? Do they clarify or extend points made in the body of the text?Check any bibliography the author may provide. What kinds of sources, primary or secondary, appear in the bibliography? How does the author make use of them? Make note of important omissions. 9. tot ( before long), analyze, and comment on the books content. State your general conclusions . Pay particular attention to the authors concluding chapter. Is the summary convincing? List the principal topics, and briefly summarize the authors ideas about these topics, main points, and conclusions. Use specific references and quotations to support your statements.If your thesis has been well argued, the conclusion should follow naturally. It can include a final assessment or simply restate your thesis. Do not introduce new material at this point. Some Considerations When Reviewing specific genres Fiction(above all, do not give away the story) Character 1. From what sources are the compositors cases drawn? 2. What is the authors attitude toward his characters? 3. Are the characters flat or three-dimensional? 4. Does character development occur? 5. Is character delineation direct or indirect? Theme 1. What is/are the major theme(s)? 2. How are they revealed and developed? 3.Is the theme traditional and familiar, or new and original? 4. Is the theme didactic, psychological, so cial, entertaining, escapist, etc. in purpose or intent? Plot 1. How are the various elements of plot (eg, introduction, misgiving, climax, conclusion) handled? 2. What is the relationship of plot to character delineation? 3. To what extent, and how, is accident engaged as a complicating and/or resolving force? 4. What are the elements of mystery and suspense? 5. What other devices of plot complication and resolution are employed? 6. Is there a sub-plot and how is it related to the main plot? 7. Is the plot rimary or secondary to some of the other essential elements of the story (character, setting, style, etc. )? Style 1. What are the capable qualities of the writing (e. g. , simplicity, clarity)? 2. What are the emotional qualities of the writing (e. g. , humour, wit, satire)? 3.. What are the aesthetic qualities of the writing (e. g. , harmony, rhythm)? 4. What stylistic devices are employed (e. g. , symbolism, motifs, parody, allegory)? 5. How effective is dialogue? Setting 1 . What is the setting and does it hearten a significant role in the work? 2. Is a sense of atmosphere evoked, and how? . What scenic effects are used and how important and effective are they? 4. Does the setting influence or impinge on the characters and/or plot? Biography 1. Does the book give a full-length picture of the subject? 2. What phases of the subjects life receive greatest treatment and is this treatment justified? 3. What is the point of view of the author? 4. How is the subject matter organized chronologically, retrospectively, etc.? 5. Is the treatment superficial or does the author show extensive study into the subjects life? 6. What source materials were used in the preparation of the biography? . Is the work documented? 8. Does the author attempt to pop off at the subjects hidden motives? 9. What important new facts about the subjects life are revealed in the book? 10. What is the relationship of the subjects career to contemporary history? 11. How does the biogra phy compare with others about the same person? 12. How does it compare with other works by the same author? History and other Nonfiction 1. With what particular subject or period does the book deal? 2. How thorough is the treatment? 3. What were the sources used? 4. Is the account given in broad outline or in detail? 5.Is the style that of reportorial writing, or is there an effort at interpretive writing? 6. What is the point of view or thesis of the author? 7. Is the treatment superficial or heavy(p)? 8. For what group is the book intended (textbook, popular, scholarly, etc. )? 9. What part does biographical writing play in the book? 10. Is social history or political history emphasized? 11. Are dates used extensively, and if so, are they used intelligently? 12. Is the book a revision? How does it compare with earlier editions? 13. Are maps, illustrations, charts, etc. used and how are these to be evaluated? Poetry 1.Is this a work of power, originality, individuality? 2. What k ind of poetry is under review (epic, lyrical, elegiac, etc. )? 3. What poetical devices have been used (rhyme, rhythm, figures of speech, imagery, etc. ), and to what effect? 4. What is the central concern of the poem and is it effectively expressed? Subject headings used in the catalog Book reviewing Criticism Related books Book reviewing a comport to writing book reviews for newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. Boston. The Writer, 1978 PN98. B7 B6 Drewry, John. Writing Book Reviews. Boston The Writer, 1974.PN98. B7 D7 1974 Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write Book Reports. New York Monarch Press, 1975. LB2369 . T4 Miller, Walter James. How to write book reports analyzing and evaluating fiction, drama, poetry, and non-fictionNew York. Arco Pub. , 1984. LB2369 . M46 1984 Sources of Book Reviews Book Review Digest1985+ INDEX Z1219 . C96 Book Review Index1965+ INDEX Z1035. A1 B6 Contemporary AuthorsREFERENCE Z1224 . C5 Related Websites How to Write a Book Review. Stauffer Libr ary. http//library. queensu. ca/inforef/bookreview/wri. htm Writing Book Reviews. University of Waterloo Library. http//library. uwaterloo. a/libguides/1-12. html - How to Write a Book Review. Dalhousie University Libraries. http//www. library. dal. ca/How/Guides/BookReview/ How to Write a Book Review chillibreeze writerAmy Sengupta A book review is a critical summary of a book. It is an open forum where one analyses and forms an opinion of the writers work. This critical evaluation is not only a useful source of information for the reader, but for those who intend to read the book. The essential step for writing a book review is to read it thoroughly and understand the contents of the book.One has to understand that it is simply not a summary but a critique. The three important steps in writing a book review are Step 1 Introduction Start by mentioning the essentials like the title of the book, authors name and relevant publishing information. You should also specify what type of li terature it. For example it could be a sociological analysis, a historical book, a purely academic one or a lighter set of work. Normally, the background about the writer is not required but one should not omit it if its of special relevance for example a refugee writing on refugees.This helps to put the text in a specific context. Step 2 Main Section Description and Summary The main section ideally consists of two sections the description and the summary. The description can have excerpts from the book that give valuable insight into the work. However, while reviewing the storyline one has to make sure that the suspense of the story is not given away. Step 3 The Critical Analysis In this section, one has to remember not to critically analyze the entire book but take out those points which are intriguing. For example, if the book is on the urban poor, one can perhaps focus on their politics and culture.Your opinion on the book is crucial here as it shapes your analysis. It helps to provide an insight into the attributes of the book Is it worth reading, is it interesting and so on. This section should also talk about ones learnings from the book and whether it holds an important or interesting message that caught your attention. Chillibreezes disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. 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