Writing a book review
1. Start by assessing the book
Before you begin writing, take some time to assess the book. If you made notes while reading,
look them over. If not, flip back through the book and review. Don’t start writing yet, but ask
yourself some important questions about the text and jot down notes:
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What genre is the book? Is it fiction or nonfiction?
What do you know about the author?
What are some of the main themes in the book? Does the author convey them well?
Does the book have a thesis or main idea?
How do the characters and events in the book relate to the theme? If the book is
nonfiction, are there supporting details to back up the thesis? What are they?
Is there a primary conflict in the book? How does this develop over the course of the
text?
What was the author trying to accomplish?
How do you feel about the book?
2. Create a thesis statement
Look over your notes and think about your answers to the questions above. What do you think
about the book? Write a thesis statement that will be the main idea of your review. It will be an
opinion. Consider these examples:
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Jane Eyre is one of the most beloved Victorian novels because it transcends time and
resonates with readers today.
Even though The Catcher in the Rye is part of many high school English classes, its
themes may be better suited to college students who can look at Holden Caulfield’s
actions from a more removed perspective.
Lord Charnwood's Abraham Lincoln is more than a biography; it’s also an effective
exploration of 19th century politics.
3. Write an Introduction
You can start with a short quote or anecdote about the book or any other type of hook to
capture the reader’s attention. Then be sure to include essential information like title, author,
and kind of book. In the introduction, also cover the thesis statement the author used or the
main theme of a work of fiction. Finally, include your own thesis statement.
4. Give a Short Summary of the book
Next, create a summary of the book to give your reader some background. Talk about what
happens over the course of the book. This should offer context, but it’s not the main part of a
book review. Keep it to one or two paragraphs unless you’re writing a very long piece.
5. Provide your Analysis
Now it’s time for the main part of your book review: backing up your opinion. Your thesis
statement is your own view, but you’ll need to share why you think what you do. Look to your
notes here; you already have the information you need. Add details from the text, such as the
point of view of the book, the characters, and the important themes.
Also discuss the following as they relate to your thesis:
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Cover the author's style of writing and look at his or her cohesion, clarity, flow of the
text, and use of precise words.
Think about how you were affected by the book and if any of your opinions or feelings
change because of it.
Decide if the book met its goal and whether you would recommend it to others and
why.
Discuss the author's descriptions and narration, pointing out whether he or she
explained facts or tried to persuade the readers of the validity of an issue.
Analyze whether the book suited its intended audience and if it was interesting
6. End with a strong Conclusion
Just like an essay, a book review needs a strong conclusion. Restate your thesis statement and
summarize by touching on the main points. You may include quotes or references here, but do
not put in any new information.
Source:
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/guide-to-writing-a-book-review.html