How to Write a Book Review I. The definition of a book review A. a descriptive and critical or evaluative account of a book B. a

How to Write a Book Review
   Good morning, today’s lecture is about how to write a book review. First of all, let me explain to you what a book review is. A book review is a descriptive and critical or evaluative account of a book. Like the book report, it provides a summary of content and an analysis of structure, yet you will also assess the value of a book and recommend the book to other readers.
   There are two approaches to book reviewing: the descriptive and the critical. A descriptive review is one in which the writer, without over-enthusiasm or exaggeration, gives the essential information about a book. This is done by description and exposition, by stating the perceived aims and purposes of the author, and by quoting striking passages from the text. A critical review is one in which the writer describes and evaluates the book, in terms of accepted literary and historical standards, and supports this evaluation with evidence from the text. The following pointers are meant to be suggestions for writing a critical review.
   Firstly, basic requirements. Simply stated, the reviewer must know two things in order to write a critical review: the work being reviewed and the requirements of the genre to which the work belongs, such as novel, short story, biography, poetry, etc. Knowledge of the work demands not only an attempt to understand what the author’s purpose is and how the component parts of the work contribute to that purpose, but also some knowledge of the author. And knowledge of the genre means understanding the art form and how it functions.
   Then, after that we come to what are the minimum essentials of a book review. First is the description of the book, not a summary. Sufficient description should be given so that the reader, as he reads the review, will have some understanding of the author’s thoughts. This account of the contents of a book can often be woven into the critical remarks. Second, something about the author. Biographical information should be relevant to the subject of the review and enhance the reader’s understanding of the work under discussion. Third, an appraisal, preferably indirect, through description and exposition and based on the aims and purposes of the author. While a critical review is a statement of opinion, it must be a considered judgment including: a statement of the reviewer’s understanding of the author’s purpose: how well the reviewer feels the author’s purpose has been achieved: and evidence to support the reviewer’s judgment of the author’ achievement.
   When finishing the minimum essential of a book review, we now come to another point: preliminary mechanical steps. Basically speaking, there are five steps. First, read the book with care. Second, note effective passages for quoting. Third, note your impressions as you read. Fourth, allow yourself time to assimilate what you have read so that the book can be seen in perspective. Fifth, keep in mind the need for achieving a single impression, which must be made clear to the reader.
   After making sure what you want to say in the book review, we can start our review outline. The review outline enables you to get an overall grasp of the organization of the review, to determine what central point your review is going to make, to eliminate inessentials or irrelevancies, and to fill in gaps or omissions. By examining the notes you have made and eliminating those which have no relationship to your central thesis, and by organizing them into groups, several aspects of the book will emerge: such as theme, character, structure, etc. After ordering your topics by detennining in what sequence they will be discussed, write down all the major headings of the outline and then fill in the subdivisions. Keep in mind that all parts of the outline should support your thesis or central point.
   After all this work is done, we come to the draft. The opening paragraph, like the concluding one, is in a position of emphasis and usually sets the tone of the paper. Among the various possible introductions are: a statement of the thesis: a statement of the author’s purpose: a statement about the topicality of the work or its significance: a comparison of the work to others by the same author or within the same genre: a statement about the author. The main body of the review should logically develop your thesis as organized by your outline. Changes in the outline may need to be made and transitional paragraphs introduced, but the aim should be toward logical development of the central point. Quoted material should be put in quotation marks, or indented, and properly footnoted. The concluding paragraph may sum up or restate your thesis or may make the final judgment regarding the book. No new information or ideas should be introduced in the conclusion.
   Finally, we come to the last steps in writing a book review that is revising your draft. Also there are several steps in revising. First, correct all mistakes in grammar and punctuation as you find them. Second, read your paper through again looking for unity, organization and logical development. Third, verify quotations for accuracy and check the format and content of references.
   To sum up, in today’s lecture we mainly discuss with you how to write a book review and I hope all I’ve introduced would benefit you to some degree. Practice them and you are very likely to meet with success.