Writing a Book Review
The purpose of a book review is to comment on a particular work and not to summarize the book.
Tips in preparing a meaningful book review:
· Read the complete book carefully. Take careful notes if it helps.
· Mention the name of the author and the book title in the first paragraph of the review. There is nothing more frustrating than reading a review and not knowing the author or the title.
· If the book is part of a series, identify the series.
· Think about whether the book is part of a genre.
· Present the main theme of the book in the beginning of the review.
· List the main points your want to cover before you begin to write the review; use one paragraph for each point.
· Explain how you feel about the book and why, not just what the book is about.
· Provide your judgment of the style, format, contents, and historical value of the book.
· Incorporate biographical information about the author to establish his/her authority.
· Avoid writing in the first person.
· Avoid slang. Reviews are formal papers.
· Avoid contractions.
· It may be necessary to refer to specific portions of the books to illustrate your statements and conclusions, but do not quote extensively from it.
· Proofread your manuscript carefully before submitting it.