Book Review

P R K SINGHLIBRARIANKV SEVOKE ROAD

What is Book Review

• A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is analyzed based on content, style, and merit. A book review can be a primary source opinion piece, summary review or scholarly review.

The Importance of Reviews

• A good review is to an author what oxygen is to other people. We live for them, we love them, we are so appreciative when a reader takes the time to share their opinion and support our work.

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Preparing to Write the Book Review

• Before to write the book review, but after you have read the book, you should make notes on the following areas:

• • ►The Author:• Background and qualifications• Writing style• Use of sources (see Bibliography & Table of Charts

& Figures)• His/her purpose in writing the book• • ►The Book Format:• Table of Contents• Section & Chapter Titles• Index• Introduction (often tells the format, purpose, and

intended audience)• • ►The Content:• Introduction/Conclusion• Preface• Chapter summaries• Tables, Graphs, Figures, etc.

Structure of the Book Review• The following format can be used for the Book Review. (Note: you do not have to

answer every question; these are only suggestions to guide your writing). • • ►Introduction:

• A general description of the book: title, author, subject, and format. Here you can include details about who the author is and where he/she stands in this field of inquiry. You can also link the title to the subject to show how the title explains the subject matter.

• A brief summary of the purpose of the book and its general argument or theme. Include a statement about for whom the book is intended.

• Your thesis about the book: What is your opinion on the ideas of the book? Is it a suitable/appropriate piece of writing about the problem for the audience it has identified?

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Structure of the Book Review…………

• Main Body

• Summary of the Content:

• Write at least 3 – 4 sentences about the plot: (What was the story about? Who were the main characters? What did the main characters do in the story? Did the main characters run into problems or have any adventures? Who was your favourite character? Why?)

• What is the writer’s style: simple/technical; persuasive/logical?

Structure of the Book Review……………• Evaluation of the Text: •

This is the heart of your book review. You should discuss a variety of issues here:• How clearly is the book written?• Did the author achieve his/her goal? How did he/she do this or fall short? • What are the author's most important points? List at least two examples of how the

author proved or did not prove points he was trying to make.• What possibilities does the book suggest for the reader?• What did the book leave out?• How the book compares to others on the subject?• What personal experiences do you have relating to the subject?• Could you relate to any of the characters in the story?• Have you ever done some of the things or felt some of the same things that the

character did?• What did you like best about the book? What did you like least about the book?• If you could change something in the book, what would it be?

Conclusion • There is, of course, no set formula, but a general rule of thumb is that the first one-half to two-thirds of the review should summarize the author's main ideas while the remainder of the report should evaluate the book.

•Thank you and Keep Reading