CSE3PE: Professional Environment

Book Reviewing

Book Reviewing

What is the purpose of a book review?

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What’s in a book review?

Vital StatisticsTitle, author, publisher, place, edition, ISBN,

paperback/hardcover, length, price, translated, illustrated, software

Type: Fiction, non fiction etc.‑

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What’s in a book review?Contents of review: Description of purpose and contents of book

Judgment of how well the author has achieved the aim• A statement of judgment about the book• Some “because” clause or clauses of explanation (supporting evidence)

The evaluation of a non-fiction book is often concerned with• Completeness of the coverage of its subject• Clarity of style

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What’s in a book review?

Contents of review (cont.): How is the author qualified to write the book? (include

previous publications or professional status) Comment on the writing style and quality Comment on figures, tables, illustrations

Comment on physical qualities (binding, type and quality of illustration etc)

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Preparing the Review

• Read the book making notes as you go

• Outline the points you wish to make in the review including the overall impression you have of how well the author has achieved what he/she has set out to do

• Final paragraph a summary of usefulness (to whom and how)

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Dos and Don’ts of Reviewing• Don’t display your own knowledge of the topic (the

reader wants to know about the book) • Don’t describe how you would have written the book • Don’t be influenced by the popularity of a book • Do keep it short (750 ± 100 words) • Do accurately and concisely describe what the book is

about

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Characteristics of the Review

• Should be lively and readable • Like it or don’t like it – distance, balance,

fairness

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Reference

Kamerman, Sylvia (Ed.) (1978) Book Reviewing, Boston: The Writer Inc. 808.066028 BOOK

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