This is a chance to write your opinions, but you need to back them up with hard cold facts, quotes and situations. This is also a chance to use voice in your writing. Be a little outrageous. Just keep the writing appropriate and correct in terms of grammar and spelling.

 

Book Review Requirements:

1. Length should be 2 full pages and written in letterform.
2. Do not give me a full recap of the story (short summary). Don’t give the entire story away.
3. Include the following:
1. Title of the book (underline, italicize or quote)
2. Author’s full name
3. When the book was written (copyright date)
4. What the book is about (briefly)
5. What genre the book is (fiction, non-fiction, mystery)
6. Where the story takes place
7. Who is involved with descriptions (characters)
8. How the book compares to others you have read or to others written by the same author
9. What the book is trying to say? (IMPORTANT) What is the point?
4. What real-world issues are raised by the book?
5. What are your personal thoughts about this book?
6. Describe any new perspectives you have after reading this book.
7. Do you relate to the book? Yes, no, why?
8. Why do you think the author chose to write this book?  (Money cannot be the answer.)
9. Would you recommend this boo? Yes, no, why?

Grading: you will earn an A if, and only if, the following are present:

1.     Book title, author and copyright appear.

2.     There is specific evidence in the form of quotations or specific situations from the book to support your points.

3.     Quotations are identified by page citations.

4.  Writing is clear and concise.

5.  Grammar and spelling are correct.

6.     There is evidence of deep thinking.

7.   There is the reviewer’s voice.

 

Grading: you will earn a D or less, if any of the following are present:

1.     Review consists entirely of a summary of the book.

2.     Words that are not your own are not in quotations and are not cited with page. (5)

3.  There is little or no evidence of thinking or effort.

GUIDELINES:

The DOs and DON’Ts of writing Book Reviews

 

Do:

 

1.    Include author and title (underlined, italicized or in quotes)

2.    Write a bit about the author

3.    Include brief plot summary

4.    Include both positive and negative opinions

5.    Do or do not recommend book, but include why?

6.    Write clearly and with explanation

7.    Connect book and author to other similar books and writers

8.    Include important themes

9.    Include genre of book

10. Include aspects of book which are strong, weak and why

11. Structure of book (series of stories, one long narrative, etc)

12. Quotes

13. Opinion, opinion, opinion as long as it is supported with real examples and facts

14. Anything else you think might add to your review

 

 

 

 

DON’T:

1.    Use as a platform to spread personal views

2.    Write vicious personal attacks against the author

3.    State opinion without good reason

4.    Tell the ending (NEVER)

5.    Ramble

6.    Write long summaries

7.    Go off-topic

8.    Write one-sided or biased reviews

9.    Generalize

10.  Don’t interpret text in terms of personal symbolic interpretation

11.  Anything else you can think of that might be wrong or inappropriate