Book Review Criteria

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/704/1/

 Book reviews evaluate written works and gives readers a sneak peek at what the book is like. They offer a brief description of the text’s key points and often provide a short appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses. They typically range from 400-700 words.

Before You Read
 

Before you begin to read, consider the elements you will need to include in your review.
Questions to consider:

• Who is the author? What else has s/he written? What is the author’s typical style?
• What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, romance, poetry, youth fiction, etc.? Who is the intended audience for this work? What is the purpose of the work?
• Does the author provide any revealing information about the text in the preface/introduction? Does a “guest author” provide the introduction? What judgments or preconceptions do the author and/or “guest author” provide? 

As You Read
 

As you read, take notes on the book’s key points, characters, and/or themes.
Questions to consider: 

• Who are the principal characters? How do they affect the story? Do you empathize with them?
• Where does the title fit in? How is it applied in the work? Does it adequately encapsulate the message of the text? Is it interesting? Uninteresting?
• What themes or motifs stand out? How do they contribute to the work? Are they effective or not? How would you describe this author’s particular style? Is it accessible to all readers or just some?
• How is the work’s argument set up? What support does the author give for her/findings? Does the work fulfill its purpose/support its argument?
• What is the main idea of the work? What makes it good, different, or groundbreaking?
• What quotes stand out? How can you demonstrate the author’s talent or the feel of the book through a quote?

When You Are Ready to Write
 

Begin with a short summary or background of the work, but do not give too much detail away. Most reviewers will only give specific detail leading up to the climax, however; it is a good idea to give detail about the end of the story as well.

Writing the Review
Questions to consider:

• Remember that your audience has not read the work; with this in mind, be sure to introduce characters and principals carefully and deliberately. What kind of summary can you provide of the main points/characters that will help your readers gauge their interest? Does the author’s text adequately reach the intended audience? 
• Deal only with the most pressing issues in the book. You will not be able to cover every character or idea. What principals/characters did you agree or disagree with? What other things might the author have researched or considered?
• The purpose of the review is to critically evaluate the text, not just inform the readers about it. Leave plenty room for your evaluation by ensuring that your summary is brief. Determine what kind of balance to strike between your summary information and your evaluation.