Independent Book Review

A book review is a description, critical analysis, and an evaluation on the quality,

meaning, and significance of a book, not a retelling. It should focus on the book's
purpose, content, and authority. A critical book review is not a book report or a
summary. It is a reaction paper in which strengths and weaknesses of the material are
analyzed. It should state what the author has tried to do, evaluate how well (in the
opinion of the reviewer) the author has succeeded, and present evidence to support
the evaluation.
 
Your review will be 2-3 pages in length. You will write three drafts of the review: a
hand-written first draft (begun today and due tomorrow), a typed and peer reviewed
second draft (due a week from Monday), and a final, error-free third draft (due date
pending)

Organization: Does the paper have a logical flow of ideas?

Support: Does the paper use appropriate evidence to support the thesis?
Focus: Does the paper maintain focus on the thesis statement?
Style: Does the writing use a variety of complex language and sentence structure?
Grammar and Mechanics: Is the paper error-free?
Depth of Analysis: Does the writer fully analyze the thesis against the evidence
presented?
Creativity of Thought: Does the writer create an original thesis and present ideas in a
unique way?

 
Essentials: The paper must contain these parts (NOT NECESSARILY IN THIS
ORDER!)

1. A statement giving essential information about the book: title, author, first
copyright date, type of book, and general subject matter. 
2. The author’s purpose in writing the book, including the book’s theme and thesis.
3. Your main purpose in writing the review—YOUR THESIS. The general topic for
this thesis is: Did the author(s) make an effective argument? Why or why not?
4. A conclusion that connects the book to something larger … good or bad.

Points of Analysis: The paper need not discuss ALL of the following topics.
However, they are to serve as a guideline for your analysis.

1. How was the information presented and was this the best way to present the
information? (OVER)
a. Description: The author presents word-pictures of scenes and events by giving
specific details that appeal to the five senses, or to the reader’s imagination. Description
presents background and setting. Its primary purpose is to help the reader realize, through
as many sensuous details as possible, the way things (and people) are, in the episodes
being described.
 b. Narration: The author tells the story of a series of events, usually presented in
chronological order. In a novel however, chronological order may be violated for the sake
of the plot. The emphasis in narration, in both fiction and non-fiction, is on the events.
Narration tells what has happened. Its primary purpose is to tell a story.
c. Exposition: The author uses explanation and analysis to present a subject or to
clarify an idea. Exposition presents the facts about a subject or an issue as clearly and
impartially as possible. Its primary purpose is to explain.
d. Argument: The author uses the techniques of persuasion to establish the truth
of a statement or to convince the reader of its falsity. The purpose is to persuade the
reader to believe something and perhaps to act on that belief. Argument takes sides on an
issue. Its primary purpose is to convince.

2. How did the author’s work reflect her intended audience? Was it effective for her
audience?

3. How objective was the book? Did it provide evidence on both sides?

4. Did the book have the intended effect on you?

5. What possibilities does the book suggest?

6. What has the author omitted or what problems were left unsolved?

7. Have you read other material on the same subject? How does this book compare to
work on a similar topic?
 
8. How did who the author is/was affect his point of view?