how to write a book review for a college course

• The name of the author and the book title and the main theme.
• Relevant details about who the author is and where he/she stands in the genre or field of inquiry. ...
• The context of the book and/or your review. Placing your review in a framework that makes sense to your audience alerts readers to your “take” on the book. ...
• The thesis of the book. If you are reviewing fiction, this may be difficult since novels, plays, and short stories rarely have explicit arguments. ...
• Your thesis about the book.

How to format a college book review clearly?

• What is your overall opinion of the book? ...
• Identify the author’s thesis and explain it in your own words. ...
• What are the author’s aims? ...
• How are the author’s main points presented, explained, and supported? ...
• How effectively does the author draw claims from the material being presented? ...
• What conclusions does the author reach and how clearly are they stated? ...

More items...

How to write a compelling book review?

Writing Your Review

• Introduction. Because your review should get to the point quickly, your opening line—or your hook —should catch readers’ attention and set the tone for the review.
• Summary. As we’ve already discussed, your book should include a summary of the book but only enough to give readers an overview.
• Argument/analysis. ...
• Conclusion. ...

How to write a graduate level book review?

Write an informative summary of the material. Condense the content of the work by highlighting its main points and key supporting points. Use direct quotations from the work to illustrate important ideas. Summarize the material so that the reader gets a general sense of all key aspects of the original work.

How to write a book Critique like a professional?

• the attempted harmony of form and function; and,
• the dismissal of "frivolous ornament."
• the pursuit of a perceived ideal perfection;

How do you write a book review for a college class?

Organizing the ReviewAll reviews begin with bibliographic information: the author's name, the book's full title, place of publication, publisher, edition, date, pagination, and cost, if known.In no more than two paragraphs, introduce the book. ... Follow with descriptive analysis and evaluation of the text. ... Conclude.

What is a college level book review?

A book review gives a description and critical evaluation. The main purpose of this work is to give readers a summary of the content and a clear evaluation of the book. The final goal for a reviewer is to either recommend (or not) a specific work to potential readers.

What are the 4 stages in writing a book review?

The reader should gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the book, aided by input from the reviewer. The four stages of writing a book review are: introducing the book, outlining its contents, highlighting parts of the book by selecting particular chapters or themes, and giving a detailed evaluation.

What is the structure of book review?

Classic book review structure is as follows: One or two paragraphs summarizing the book. One paragraph on the book's strengths. One paragraph on the book's weaknesses. One paragraph on your assessment of the book's strengths and weaknesses.

How do you start a book review example?

In general, you should include:The name of the author and the book title and the main theme.Relevant details about who the author is and where he/she stands in the genre or field of inquiry. ... The context of the book and/or your review. ... The thesis of the book. ... Your thesis about the book.

How long should a college book review be?

By contrast, book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. They typically range from 500-750 words, but may be longer or shorter.

What are the five steps to writing a book review?

The 5 StepsState your general opinion and level of enthusiasm. Did you like this book? ... Describe what it is you liked (or disliked) most about the book. ... Give a specific example (without spoilers if possible) of something in the book that you liked. ... Describe who you think the book is for. ... Make a personal statement.

What step is the most important in making a book review?

Begin with a brief summary of the book This is probably the best way to introduce any review because it gives context. But make sure to not go into too much detail. Keep it short and sweet since an official summary can be found through a quick google search!

What should a college review book contain?

Your report should help the readers understand whether they want to read the book or not. A college review book should contain evaluation and description. The major task is to provide readers with book summary and content evaluation. Finally, you will have to either recommend this book for reading or advise not to even start reading it.

How to write a book review?

You will need to provide a description, analysis, and evaluation of the chosen book. The following should be presented in a professionally written review: author’s style, characters description, plot, main message, etc. You need to pay attention to college book review format.#N#Evaluation and analysis are the most significant parts of your review. Evaluation should be critical, which means that you should create a certain opinion about the book and back up your opinion with facts and evidence, like writing technique, direct quotes, dialogue between the characters, etc.#N#In order to make sure that you are on the right track and your evaluation is critical, you need to avoid simple characters and plot description. State your opinion clearly regardless of it being negative or positive. Below you may find a sample of description which lacks evaluation and analysis:

What is a Book Review?

Every college student is assigned with book review writing but not all of them know how to write a book review for college.

How to write a review title?

Review Title – Provide the paper name and include full bibliographic information of the reviewed book; Introduction should not be too long. One paragraph is enough. Provide important facts and background information. Strong thesis statement should appear in the end of introduction;

How many paragraphs should a thesis statement have?

Their number depends on the review volume, which is usually defined by the instructor. Usually one or two paragraphs are enough.

Why do students fail to write a book review?

A strong book review outline plays crucial role in review success. Many students fail to write this assignment because they have no idea how to organize the review and what book review format should be used. In addition, they are not aware of the elements that should be included in the paper. If you continue reading, you will find ...

What is critical evaluation?

Evaluation should be critical, which means that you should create a certain opinion about the book and back up your opinion with facts and evidence, like writing technique, direct quotes, dialogue between the characters, etc. In order to make sure that you are on ...

How to write a good book review?

First, you must summarize the author’s position on the topic so that the reader has a basis for evaluating your critique. The key is to say enough so that the reader has a firm understanding of the author’s argument, but avoid adding so much detail that there is insufficient room for the critique. The second and most important key to the paper is the analysis of the author’s opinion. The student should discuss whether, based on the author’s logical and evidentiary support that his or her position is justifiable. For example, consider the article entitled “Is Business Bluffing Ethical” from the Harvard Business Review. The author argues that a number of practices that society considers unethical are not unethical in the business world. His evidence for this argument is that business people routinely engage in such practices and do not consider them unethical. Two examples of such practices he cites are deceptive labeling of food packages and the neglect of known safety hazards when corporations manufacture products. The author’s case is defective on two grounds:

What does the author argue about unethical business practices?

The author argues that a number of practices that society considers unethical are not un ethical in the business world. His evidence for this argument is that business people routinely engage in such practices and do not consider them unethical.

Do you need to do additional research on the topic of an article?

Although you are not required to do additional research on the topic of the article, you may do so, and you may turn up evidence that either supports or contradicts the author’s point. Or you may have evidence from your own experience and knowledge of the topic.

How to review a book?

Review the book in front of you, not the book you wish the author had written. You can and should point out shortcomings or failures, but don’t criticize the book for not being something it was never intended to be.

How to write a review?

Thus, writing a review is a two-step process: developing an argument about the work under consideration, and making that argument as you write an organized and well-supported draft. See our handout on argument.

What is a review?

A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms. This handout will focus on book reviews. For a similar assignment, see our handout on literature reviews.

How to write an analysis of a book?

Your analysis and evaluation should be organized into paragraphs that deal with single aspects of your argument. This arrangement can be challenging when your purpose is to consider the book as a whole, but it can help you differentiate elements of your criticism and pair assertions with evidence more clearly. You do not necessarily need to work chronologically through the book as you discuss it. Given the argument you want to make, you can organize your paragraphs more usefully by themes, methods, or other elements of the book. If you find it useful to include comparisons to other books, keep them brief so that the book under review remains in the spotlight. Avoid excessive quotation and give a specific page reference in parentheses when you do quote. Remember that you can state many of the author’s points in your own words.

What does a student do in a book review?

The student describes the subject of the book and provides an accurate summary of its contents. But the reader does not learn some key information expected from a review: the author’s argument, the student’s appraisal of the book and its argument, and whether or not the student would recommend the book.

What is a review in writing?

First, a review gives the reader a concise summary of the content. This includes a relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose. Second, and more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content. This involves your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, ...

What is the most important element of a review?

Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in its knowledge, judgments, or organization. You should clearly state your opinion of the work in question, and that statement will probably resemble other types of academic writing, with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

What is a book review?

A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book. A book review will offer an evaluation of the work. A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience. If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache.

How many words should a book review be?

But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark.

How to learn how to do something?

As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites, in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!

What is the narrator trying to do in The Journey?

The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.

Is it exciting to be a book reviewer?

It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?

Is a book review on Goodreads more informal?

A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.

What do you need to write a critical book review?

When you are asked to write a critical book review, you need to identify, summarize and evaluate the ideas of the author. In simpler words, you will be examining and evaluating another person’s work from your point of view.

What is a book review?

A book review is a critical evaluation of the book, movie, or any other literary work. It has two goals: the first is to inform the readers about the content of the book, and the second is to evaluate your judgment about the book.

What is scientific book review?

A scientific book review will contain the same elements as writing a review for a fiction book; some elements might vary. When you are reviewing a scientific text, you need to pay attention to the writing style and the validity of the content.

What is an introduction in a book review?

An introduction is the first part that your reader will interact with. It should be composed in a way that can grab their attention right away. Check out these examples and see what an attention-grabbing book review introduction looks like.

What is the purpose of a book review?

The purpose of writing a book review is to come up with your opinion about the author’s ideas presented in the book. On the other hand, a book analysis is completely based on opinions that are relevant to the book.

Is it hard to write a book review?

Book review writing can be difficult if you don’t know how to follow the standard protocols. That’s where our reliable book review writing service aims to provide the necessary help.

What is required to write a review on a nonfiction book?

For writing a review on a non-fiction book, you are required to describe the book, summarize major points of interest, and evaluate it.

Who writes book reviews?

Book reviews are frequently written by editors, publishers, and journal reviewers as a part of the publicity process after publishing a book. Book reviews are also written by experts, journalists, academics, and students to develop an understanding of a book within a broader context of its subject and genre.

Why do teachers assign book review assignments?

Teachers assign book review writing assignments to students to learn how to critically evaluate a book.

Why is it important to read a book review?

They provide an overview of the book and indicate whether the reviewer recommends the book to the reader or not. Reading reviews written by others can help you get a feel and flavor of what good book reviews are. Learning how to write a perfect book review can help students to: Critically analyze a text.

What is a book review for middle school students?

Book Review Examples for Middle School Students. Traditionally, book reviews are the evaluation of books. Usually, in between the 500-700 words limit, book reviews offer a brief description of the overall text. Published book reviews can appear in academic journals, newspapers, and magazines. They provide an overview of ...

What is a non-fiction book review?

Non-fiction books tell you facts and information about the real world around you.

Can all students crack book review?

Of course, not all students are able to crack this task easily. And they might sometimes need additional help from expert book review writers. That’s why our paper writing service offers professional book review writing help whenever you need it.

Why do we review books?

The review should help the reader understand whether the textbook is worth buying and reading. Also, the reviewer can identify the applicability of the textbook during a certain course within a particular educational institution. As a rule, a textbook review evaluates a list of criteria which determines the quality of the textbook.

What is a textbook review?

A textbook review is an evaluation of quality of the material presented in a textbook. The textbook complements, expands, and deepens the information outlined during classes and helps students to better understand the subject. In the textbook review the reviewer describes every section of the textbook using accessible and understandable language. The review should cover not only the description of textbook content, but also evaluate the significance of the textbook and its usefulness to a certain audience. If you will learn how to write a textbook review, you will easily distinguish good and bad textbooks.

How to review a textbook that has too many pages?

If the textbook has too many pages, you can look through the contents , attentively read several paragraphs, and come up with your point of view. To choose the right textbook for the review, make sure that it refers to your area of expertise and you will easily understand what the textbook is about. Check the content and index to see the scope ...

How to write a textbook introduction?

Step 1. Start with the rationale that will introduce the textbook to the reader. Mention the title of the textbook and the authors that took part in its creation. Also, list the components and elements of the textbook and whether it has other parts, workbooks, and additions. Evaluate the size and format of the textbook.

How to find out what your classmates think about a textbook?

Ask your classmates to look through the textbook and find out what they think about its usefulness.

Why are textbooks important?

Textbooks play an important role in the life of students and post-graduates that strive to gain new knowledge. Only those textbooks that contain up-to-date information, have clear language, and good structure can help people easily learn new things.

Is there a set rule for writing a textbook review?

There are no set rules for writing textbook reviews, that’s why we can give you only general guidelines on how to write a textbook review.

What This Handout Is About

What Is A Review?

Becoming An Expert Reviewer: Three Short Examples

Developing An Assessment: Before You Write

Writing The Review

• Once you have made your observations and assessments of the work under review, carefully survey your notes and attempt to unify your impressions into a statement that will describe the purpose or thesis of your review. Check out our handout on thesis statements. Then, outline the arguments that support your thesis. Your arguments should develop the...

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