Guldelines for Book Review

8/10/2019 Guldelines for Book Review

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BY

KHALID JAVED

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR


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To sharpen the Probationers

comprehension, writing and analytical

skills.


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A book review is a description, critical

analysis, and an evaluation on the quality,

meaning, and significance of a book.

A good book review is not a book report or a

summary. It is a reaction paper in which

strengths and weaknesses of the material are

analyzed.


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It should include a statement of

what the author has tried to do,

evaluate how well (in the opinion of

the reviewer) the author has

succeeded, and present evidence to

support this evaluation.


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Book reviews should be 1000 to 1500words in length, roughly 4-5 pages (A-4

size). (Do words count on your word

processor).

An essential feature of a good book review

is the reviewer's ability to write concisely

so that a comprehensive evaluation of the

book can be obtained from a brief reading.


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So, do not write more, write more

concisely -- find creative ways to

communicate your critical

evaluation of the book in a short

essay.


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Authority / Objectivity

Who is the author?

What are her or his particular credentials

and expertise in this area? What makes her

or him an expert on this topic?


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Audience

Who is the intended audience of this book

(academics, policy makers &

implementers, students, or the general

public)? Is the book appropriate for its

audience?


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Scope / Purpose / Content

What is the subject of the work and the

broad field and/or genre into which itfits?

What is the scope of the work? Is this a

comprehensive overview or a detailed

analysis?


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What is the author's purpose in writing

this book? What has he or she set out to

prove? What is the overarching thesis of

the book? How well has the author met

these goals? Does the author do what she

or he has set out to do?


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Style

How is the book structured? Is its

development orderly and logical?

What is the authorswriting style? Is

it narrative or analytical? Is the

prose readable and appropriate to

its intended audience?


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Other points to consider

How does this book compare to other books

on the same subject? Does it present a unique

perspective or new research?Does the book have illustrations? A list of

references or a bibliography? An index? Are

there any other features? Are they effective

and useful?


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Does the author suggest areas for

further research or discussion?

What has been left out?

Finally

What is your final assessment? Would

you recommend it to others?


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Contents: All book reviews should have thefollowing elements:

1. Information about the author (5%) It is

important to know something about the

author. Is he or she qualified educationally or

by experience to write this book? What other

books has this author written? What is the

authors political or philosophical viewpoint?This will require outside research. Start at the

library, or on the Internet.


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2. General Summary of the work (10%)

Briefly, what is the book about? This is

not a long summary of the book. Your

report should never simply become a

long summary of the book.


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4. Your Reaction to the AuthorsViews(40%)Do

you agree or disagree with the authorsviews?

Why or why not? You can use your own

creativity and express your opinions.5. Unacceptable Comments!!! For example

Idontreally know much about this subject,

the author seems knowledgeable, so I agree

with his or her views, is an unacceptable

answer.


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Even if you agree with the author you

must elaborate on his/her conclusion(s)

using your reading, research, and

personal experience.


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5. Summary and General Recommendations

(5%)Briefly, was the book well written or not?

Was it footnoted and referenced properly?

Was there bibliography, index, maps, graphics

or pictures? Would you recommend the book

to anyone else? Why or why not and to whom:

the general reader, policy makers, policy

implementers, experts in the field etc.


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6. Title Page: Include your full name,

academic group, AS # date of submission,

title of the book being reviewed and name

of author (s) etc.


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Plagiarized reviews are awarded zero. So it is

advised that if you are taking the material

from other sources, acknowledge these.


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Book reviewing: a guide to writing book

reviews for newspapers, magazines, radio, and

television. Boston. The Writer, 1978 PN98.B7 B6

Drewry, John. Writing Book Reviews. Boston:

The Writer, 1974. PN98.B7 D7 1974


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Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write Book

Reports. New York: Monarch Press, 1975.

LB2369 .T4

Miller, Walter James. How to write book

reports: -- analyzing and evaluating fiction,

drama, poetry, and non-fiction New York.

Arco Pub., 1984. LB2369 .M46 1984


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How to Write a Book Review. Stauffer Library.

http://library.queensu.ca/inforef/bookreview/wri.htm

Writing Book Reviews. University of WaterlooLibrary. http://library.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/1-

12.html How to Write a Book Review.Dalhousie

University Libraries.http://www.library.dal.ca/How/Guides/BookReview/

Writing Book Reports & Book Reviews. InternetPublic Library.http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/bookreportFARQ.html
http://library.queensu.ca/inforef/bookreview/wri.htmhttp://library.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/1-12.htmlhttp://www.library.dal.ca/How/Guides/BookReview/http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/bookreportFARQ.htmlhttp://www.ipl.org/div/farq/bookreportFARQ.htmlhttp://www.library.dal.ca/How/Guides/BookReview/http://library.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/1-12.htmlhttp://library.queensu.ca/inforef/bookreview/wri.htm

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