Guide
For Writing a Book Review
Last updated
August 6, 2000
Introduction
The purpose of this guide is
to provide you with some basic guidance on the writing of a general book
review. When you begin writing your paper, keep in mind that you are doing
a book review (a critical analysis of a work) rather than a book report
(a summary of a work.)
Format
A typical book review is usually
constructed as follows:
A. Heading
Most book reviews start
with a simple heading, consisting of the author of the book, the title,
the place of publication, the publisher, and the year of publication.
B. Introduction
Tell what your purpose is
for writing the paper. For example, "The purpose of this paper is to critically
examine the book ..."
C. Author's
Credentials
What qualifies the author
to write about the subject? What is his/her background? Many books will
include a small biographical sketch about the author. However, many do
not. Such information can be obtained by referring to various reference
sources, such as Contemporary
Authors,Something
About the Author, etc. For additional resources, check Maag Library's
guide to Biography.
If you refer to any of these resources, don't forget to cite your source
of reference. For electronic sources of biographical information, you may
wish to consult the OhioLINK Subject Finder entitled Locating
Biographical Information Using OhioLINK Research Databases.
D. Brief Summary
of the Book
What is the book about?
Approach this part as if you wanted to tell a friend about the book. Keep
in mind that no one ever tells anyone about a book by giving a blow-by-blow
description. Therefore, limit this part of the review to one
paragraph only.
E. Author's Thesis
What is the author's purpose
for writing the book? This can usually be found in one of three places:
the Preface, the Introduction, or the Foreword.
F. Criticisms
Describe positive and negative
aspects of the book. When you express an opinion, cite evidence from the
book to support your statement and tell where you found such. For example,
if you cite something from page 14, type the page number as (14) telling
where you found your proof. Do not attempt
to support an opinion without telling where you found support for your
argument. Also, watch your use of tense.When
you mention something, use the present tense (example: "The author states
that..." or "Jones believes..."). Even if the author is dead, keep in mind
that his/her work lives and he/she still imparts information through it.
G. Notes on
Sources
This can be found in either
the author's footnotes or the bibliography section of our book. Bear in
mind that there are two types of source materials: primary (diaries, eyewitness
accounts, periodical articles contemporary with the event/person's life,
etc.) and secondary (published material put together by an author, such
as books, periodical articles published long after the fact, and other
works that are the result of research).
H. Conclusion
Does the author achieve
his/her goal as stated in his/her thesis? Briefly summarize your opinion
of the book.
By Brian K. Brennan
Maag
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Last updated
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