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BOOK REVIEW
FORMAT
Readers sometimes confuse book reviews with book reports. However, the two are
not identical. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work~ their focus is
primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, and/or main idea of the
work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment. By contrast, book reviews are
most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works:
magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. The former is descriptive while the latter
is a critical analysis.
A. Write a statement giving essential information about the book. You must
provide the bibliographic and publication information. At the top of the review,
include author’s name, title, and the place of publication, publisher, and date of
publication. Book titles should be in italics or underlined.
B. Does the author provide any revealing information about the text in the preface
/introduction? What judgments or preconceptions does the author provide?
A. State the author’s purpose in writing the book. Sometimes authors state their
purpose in the preface or the first chapter. When they do not, you may arrive at
an understanding of the book’s purpose by asking yourself this question.
1. Why did the author write on this subject rather than on some other
subject?
2. From what point of view is the work written?
3. Was the author trying to give information, to explain something
technical, to convince the reader of a belief’s validity by dramatizing it in
action?
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1. Theme: The theme is the subject or topic. It is not necessarily the title,
and it is usually not expressed ill a complete sentence. It expresses a specific
phase of the general subject matter.
2. Thesis: The thesis is an author’s generalization about the theme,
Example
Title: We had it Made
General Subject Matter: Religious Intolerance
Theme: The effects of religious intolerance on a small town
Thesis: Religious intolerance, a sickness of individuals,
contaminates an entire social group.
3. As you do, you may very well need to explain how the author presents
his material. In other words, does the author organize the book
topically or chronologically?
A. Summarize the main points or conclusions the author makes to prove his thesis.
Your summary should contain enough detail to be informative and do justice to
the author. However, there is no need to recopy the whole book.
1. How well did the author prove his thesis? Evaluate this based on
completeness, factual presentation or documentation, the logic of his
conclusions and arguments, and style. The most important element about a
book review to remember is that it is a commentary, not just a summary.
2.What evidence is cited? Did the author reveal any bias toward his topic, per
se, or any historical leader in this book.
B. Explain the significance of this book. In other words, what contribution does this
book make to the study of its subject? Exactly what makes the book significant?
Is its approach, conclusions or discoveries? How does the knowledge contained
in this book compare with that offered in your textbook .
1. How is the book related to the course? What are your reactions? Did the
book enhance your understanding of the issues? Be as direct as possible.
2.What has the author omitted or what problems, did he leave unsolved?
What specific points are not convincing? Respond to the author’s opinions.
Which ones do you agree or disagree with? Explain.
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2. How did the book affect you? Were any previous ideas you had on
the subject changed, abandoned, or reinforced due to this book?
3. Let the reader know whether or not the book is worth reading and
why. In other words, why should anyone read it?
B. Final Word.
1. You must remember that book reviews are not just summaries!
2. Like other forms of writing, book reviews present an extended
argument (a thesis) that is effectively organized and supported by
evidence.
3. Your understanding and critique are equally (if not more)
important as the basic information that you convey about the book.
4. Just as in a research paper, your ideas must emerge clearly and
persuasively.
5. After you have completed your review, be sure to proofread it
carefully for errors and typos. Double-check your bibliographic
heading-title, author, publisher, and pages-for accuracy and correct
spelling as well.
6. Writing is one of the most important skills acquired in college. The
three book reviews will comprise 1/3 of your final grade for this
course. They can make (or break) your final grade in this course.
Furthermore, I have to read these book reviews. Please give it your
best efforts.