How to Write a Book Review
A critical book
review is not a book
report or a summary. It is basically a reaction
paper in
which you point out strengths and weaknesses of the material, and how it helps
-- or misleads
you -- in understanding the content of your course. Here's a general outline
to follow in
order for you to take adequate notes as you read your book:
A. Selection's topic, author and author's background
Questions to ask:
- Who is this author? Is he or she considered an expert in this topic? (Click here to find out how to search for information on an author.)
- Does the author's background, time, or place affect the conclusions
reached? do you
find an obvious bias?
- What is the author's point of view or frame of reference (usually found in
the
introduction or opening paragraphs)?
B. Selection's thesis and specific examples from the text.
Questions to ask:
- What is the author's major hypothesis; what's the purpose for writing
this paper --
what's the hook?
- What are the most important pieces of evidence to support it?
C. Your (and/or other reviewers') objections/contrary views.
Questions to ask:
- What is the quality of the evidence -- convincing? adequate? are the
sources
recognized by others in the field?
- Are there other works on the same or a similar topic?
- Does any of the author's information (or conclusion) conflict with other
books you've
read, courses you've taken or just previous assumptions you had of the
subject?
- How might you resolve any conflict?
D. Selection's impact on you and other potential readers.
Questions to ask:
- Were any previous ideas you had on this subject changed or abandoned
due to this
book? were they reinforced?
- Would you recommend this book or article to others? Why?
Posted May 17, 1996; revised January 3, 1997; revised February 13, 2003
http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/HIS/review.html
Top of
Page