Read it through!

Composing
Academic Writing
 WHAT IS IT?
Book Review
describes and evaluates a work
of fiction or nonfiction and offers
the book's overall purpose,
structure, style of narration to the
unknown readers.
 WHATAM I?
As a reviewer,
• bring together the two strands of
accurate, analytical reading and
strong, personal response
• describes the content of the pages
• analyses how the book achieved its
purpose
• express your most personal
comments, reactions and
How do you START
writing a book review?
• Identify the book by author, title, and sometimes publishing
information.
• Specify the type of the book (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, biography, and
autobiography) Help your readers to review with perspective.
• Mention the book's theme.
• Include background, if necessary, to enable reader/s to place the
book into a specific context.
• You may also use an interesting quote, an interesting fact, or an
explanation of a concept or term.
What do you DO with
the content?
• For nonfiction books like biography, history and the like: pay
primary attention to the major points (the argument) the author is
putting forth and to the sources the author has drawn upon to back
up his/her point of view.
• For fictional works such as novels, chic lit, graphic novels, manga:
Pay attention primarily to the novel or book's setting, plot, style,
characters, theme/s use of language and voice. Caution: Do not
give away the story for no one appreciates a spoiler!
What do you DO with
the content?
3. Provide your reactions to the book.
4. Describe the book.
5. Respond to the author's opinions
and analyze it.
6. Explore issues the book raises.
 • Relate your argument to other books or
How do you CONCLUDE?
authors.
• Relate the book to larger issues.
• Tie together issues raised in the review.
• Briefly restate your main points and your
thesis statement.
• Indicate how well the book has achieved its
goal, what possibilities are suggested by the
 How do you REVISE
the draft?
• Allow time to elapse, at least a day, before starting your
revision.
• Correct grammatical mistakes and punctuation as you find
them.
• Read your paper through again looking for unity,
organization and logical development.
• If necessary, do not hesitate to make major revisions in your
 Write a book review of a novel or a book that you like.
Book Review Rubric
Components Distinguished Proficient Apprentice Novice
(10 pts) (7 pts) (5 pts) (3 pts)

Introduction Book Review "grabber" is very Book review "grabber" is mildly Book review "grabber" lacks No attempt was made to
interesting or catchy interesting. interest. catch the reader's attention.

Plot Summary Reviewer does a good job of leaving
the reader in suspense about
conflict resolutions while painting a
clear, interesting portrait of the
novel or book's story.
Reviewer offers a little too much Reviewers offers ay too Reviewer gives away the
plot summary, but paints a fair much plot summary, leaving ending.
picture of what the novel is the reader little reason to
about read the book or novel.

Opinion/ Reviewer offers is/her opinion on Reviewer offers a little of his or Reviewer offers very little of Reviewer consist of plot
Commentary the book's aspects. Reviewer also her opinion on the book's his/her opinion on the book's summary and offers no
writes a recommendation to aspects. Reviewer writes a aspects. Reviewer also writes opinion of or commentary on
readers. recommendation to readers. recommendation to readers. the book or novel.

Spelling/ No errors. Somewhat errorless. Some errors. Error-filled all throughout

Mechanics the text.
 Literature Review

(LR) is a type of academic essay

that examines what has
already been written about a
topic.
Components and Purposes of
Literature Review
Introductio
n
• Defines the topic and the scope
being considered
• Notes intentional exclusions
• States the general findings of the
review and the availability of the
sources
Conclusi
on
• Summarizes the key findings of the
review
• Offers the reviewer's justification of
the conducted research
Main Body
• Organizes the evaluation of the sources whether
chronologically or thematically
• Showcases the critical summary and evaluation of
the research's premise, methodology, and
conclusion
• Uses grammatical connectors, relational words or
phrases and transitional devices
Referenc
es
• Reflects the in-text citations
• Contains complete and correct
citations
HAVE FUN
WRITING!
BRINGS YOU TO A LOT
OF DESTINATION
Read. Write. Skillful 20th Century learners.