how to review a book

How to Review a Book : 

How to Review a Book R.Gokulavasan BSA-08-023 10/20/2010 1

Before You Begin : 

10/20/2010 Before You Begin Book reviews are highly personal and reflect the opinions of the reviewer. A review may be as short as 50-100 words, or as long as 1500 words, depending on the purpose of the review. Before writing the review, be sure that you understand what type of review is required for your assignment. Keep your audience in mind! This will help define the emphasis you put on various parts of the review. 2

The Function of a Review : 

10/20/2010 The Function of a Review Your review should do 3 things: Describe what is on the page, Analyze how the book tried to achieve its purpose, Express your own reactions to the book. 3

What????????? : 

What????????? A written opinion of what you think of a certain book as well as an accompanying summary. A book review provides information about the content and opinion. It lets the reader know whether it is worth reading or not. 10/20/2010 4

Summary or Review? : 

10/20/2010 Summary or Review? A book review is distinct from a summary in that it demands an analysis and reaction to content that. a summary does not do that. Whereas a summary is a report of what is written, a review both reports on and evaluates a book. 5

Methods…. : 

Methods…. OPENING PARAGRAPH Gives a brief idea of what the book is about FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS: Details about plot, setting, main characters. Give enough detail to arouse interest but DON’T tell the whole story. Highlight at least one memorable scene or character. OR If you didn’t like it, point out a disappointing part of the book.   FINAL PARAGRAPH Tells us if you recommend the book to others. 10/20/2010 6

8 ways to Approach!!!!!! : 

8 ways to Approach!!!!!! Author’s Purpose -his or her reason for creating a work. The purpose may be to explain or inform , entertain , persuade , or reveal an important truth. Characters a person , an animal , or an imaginary creature that takes the part in the action of the story. Characterization - the techniques an author uses to develop the personality of a character in a literary work. An author can give information about a character by describing several aspects of the character: Characters, continued physical appearance and personality speech, behavior , and actions thoughts and feelings interactions with other characters 10/20/2010 7

Slide 8: 

Characters, continued : Character Types- Protagonist - the main character of the story that is most central to the action of the story. Antagonist - the person or thing working against the protagonist, or hero, in the story. Static Characters- characters that stay the same throughout the story. Dynamic Characters- characters that change and learn something during the story. Flat : very few personality traits, do not change throughout the story, sometimes can be symbols or stereotypes Round – convincing and true to life, many different personality traits, usually undergo a change during the story 10/20/2010 8

Slide 9: 

Setting : the time and place in which the action occurs. Look for clues in the opening paragraphs of the story or novel. Point of View : perspective or vantage point from which an author presents a story. 1st person- the story is told by one of the characters in the story. The character uses the pronouns I and we. 3rd person- the story is told by the narrator who stands outside of the story and observes the events as they unfold. The narrator uses the pronouns she, he, and they. Plot : the action or sequence of events in a story. It is based on a key conflict. There are five basic parts of plot- 10/20/2010 9

Plot continued….. : 

Plot continued….. Exposition - the first part of the story. The author establishes the setting, introduces characters , gives additional background information . Rising Action/Complications- the series of conflicts or struggles that build a story toward its climax. Tension rises. Climax - the high point, or turning point, of a story. It is the most intense point. A decision is made that will decide the outcome of the conflict. Falling Action- the action that works out the decision arrived at during the climax. The conflict is –or begins to be –settled. Resolution- the ending . It ties up loose ends and brings the story to a close. 10/20/2010 10

Slide 11: 

Theme : -the statement about life that the author wants to share with the reader. Often times, the reader will have to make inferences or reasonable guesses as to the theme of the story. Helpful hint - Ask yourself what lesson the main character learned in the story? 10/20/2010 11

Example Reviews : 

10/20/2010 Example Reviews Here is a link to an example academic book review. Other examples of academic book reviews may be found at http://edrev.asu.edu. Of course, some reviews are far less formal, such as these reviews of Life of Pi. 12

Further Reading : 

10/20/2010 Further Reading For more guidance, consider reading a book on reviewing, or visit one of these websites: Queen’s Library University Memorial University Libraries Writing Tutorial Services Literacy Education Online 13

Slide 14: 

Thank u.. 10/20/2010 14