Book Review ‘© Although @ book review, like a book report, spends some time discussing the cantert of the book, its main purpose is no! informational, but analytical and persuasive. The writer, in analysing the content, format, argumen!, and context within which the book was written, argues that the book is worth reading or not. Preparing to Write the Book Review: Before youwrite the book review, but afer youhave read the book, you should make notes on the folowing areas: >The Author: ‘5 Background and qualificatons © Wriing style © Use of sources (see Bibliography & Table of Charts & Figures) © Hisher purpose in wrting the book >The Book Format: 0 Table of Contents © Section & Chapter Tites © Index © Introduction (often tells the format, purpose, and intended aucience) >The Content: > Introduction/Conelusion © Preface © Chapter surrmaries © Tables, Graphs, Figures, etc ‘Structure of the Book Review: The following format can be used for the Book Review. (Note: you do not have fo answer every question; these are only suggestons to guide your wnitng). P introduction: ‘© Ageneral description of the book: ttle, author subject, and forrat. Here you can ndlude details aboutwno the author is and where he/she stands in this fied of inquiry. You can also link the title to the subject to show how the tle explains the subject matter. 9 Abjief summary of tha purpose of the book and its genaral argument or theme. © Aigo include a statement about for whom the book is iniended Your thesis about the book: What's your opinion on the ideas of the book? Isit a ‘uitable/appropriate piece of writing about the problem for the audience it has identified?Book Report Outline & Criteria As part of your Language Arts program, you will be asked to complete one book report ‘each month on a novel at your reading level. Outlined below are the steps to completing these book reports, 1) Read the entire novel, taking special note ofthe setting, plot, and character development, ‘You may even want to make short notes as you read the novel to refer to when writing the actual report. 2) Once you have finished the novel, complete the assignment as outlined below. My advice is that you have the novel read by about the middle of the month to give you ample time to finish the written report. The report will be due the last school day of each month, Report Outline: Part 1 ~ Book Jacke/Tite Page ‘+ Design a new book jacket or title page for the novel which includes the following: Title of the book ‘Author's name Hlustrator's name (if applicable) Publisher ‘Copyright date ‘An appropriate illustration that uses the space well and is colored. The illustration should take up most of the page. Part 2 — Main Setting ‘+ Ina descriptive paragraph, describe the main setting of the novel you read. Be sure to include a detailed description of where and when the novel took place. ‘+The setting—where does the story take place? Is ita real place or an imaginary fone? If the author does not tell you exactly where the story is set, what can you tell about it from the way itis described? ‘+The time period—is the story set in the present day or in an earlier time period? Perhaps its even set in the future! Let your reader know Pail 3 — Main Character(s ‘= In paragraph form, describe the main character(s)—who is the story mostly about? Give a brief description. Otten, one character can be singled out as the main character, but some books will have more than one. + Be sure to include both physical descriptions (what the character looks like) as well as personality traits (ie. generous, brave, angry). In your description of personality traits, you should indicate what in the novel helped you describe the character in that way.Before reading, consider: Title - What does it suggest? Preface of Introductios - Provides important information about the author's intentioas or the scope ofthe bock. Can you identify any limitations? Has the author ignored important aspects of the subject? Table of Contents - Shows how the book's organized -- main ideas, how they're developed (chronologically, topically, etc.) to ponder as you read the entire book: ‘What's the general feld or genre? Does the book fi? From what point of view i the book written’? Do yo agree or dieagree with the author's point of view? Maize aotes as you read, passages to quote in your review ‘Can you follow the author's tess, "common thread"? ‘What isthe author's style? Formal? Informal” Suitable forthe intended audience? Are concepts well defined? Is the language clear and convincing? Are the ideas developed? What areas are covered, not coveres7How accurate is the information? Is the author’: concluding chapter, the summary, convincing? Ifthere are footuotes, do tey provide important information? Do they clarify or extend points made in the text? Ifrelevant, make note of the bock's format - layout, binding, ete. Are there maps, illustrations? Are they helpful? Is the mdex accurate? What sources did the author use ~ primary, secondary? Make ncte of smportant omissions What did the book accomplish? Is more work needed? Compare the book to others by this author, or books ia this field by other authers. (Use the books listed inthe bibliography.) Writing the Review: Include tile, author, place, publisher, publication date, editioa, pages, special features (maps, tc), price, ISBN. Hook the reader with your opening sentence, Set the tone of the review. Be familiar with the guidelines - some editors want plot summaries: others doa't Some want youto say outright if you recommend a took, but not others. Review the book you read — not the book you wish the author had written, If tis is the best book you have ever read, say so — and why. Ifit’s merely another aice book, say Inchids infomation about the author-- reputation, qualifications, ee. — anything relevant tothe ‘nook and the author's authority. ‘Thiale about the person resdiag your review. Ie this a librarian buying booke fora collection? A parent who wants agood read aloud? I the review for readers looking for information about a particular topic, or for readers searching for « good read? ‘Your conclusion should summarize, pechepe include a ins! asseuament. Do not introduce uow material a this point To gaia perspective, allow time before revisingStructuring the book review Most book reviews are between 100-500 words, though an academic review may go up to 1600. Check with the lecturer if you are not sure how long your book review should be ‘At the start put the complete bibliographic information Title in full, author, place of publication, publisher, date of publication ‘edition, number of pages. ‘A published review will usually include price and ISBN number and your lecturer may require you to do this 100. ‘Your introduction will usually include ‘+ your overall impression of the book + astatement aout the author + a statement on the purnose of the book + asstatement of the significance of the work + acomiment about the relationship between this work and others by the same author, the same subject and the same genre The body of your review develops the points you want to make: + greater detail on the author's thesis and a summary of the main points + evaluation of strengths, weaknesses, contribution or bias + the evidence that is the basis of your crtique ‘The conclusion (ast paragraph) includes: + your final assessment + testatement cf overal impression + (festatement of your recommendation No new information should be included in the conclusion. Reforonce lst: this is put at the end 2c usual, using the roferoncing style requosted by the lecturer.