(The following is a guide provided in the syllabus)
A book review is not a book report. A book report summarizes the contents of the book while a review provides critical analysis of a book. Remember that your role is to evaluate the book as a potential historical source.
Contents of a good review:
Your review should be headed by a bibliographic citation which includes the author’s name and the book’s title. You can also add the place of publication, publisher, and date of publication.
Divide your review into three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion
In your introduction identify the author’s theme or thesis. Why did the author write this book? What did the author try to say? What time period does the book cover? What are the subtopics in the book?
In the body of your paper explain how the author supports his/her thesis and what evidence he/she uses. Make sure to divide the body of your paper into paragraphs.
In your historical conclusion try to identify the potential audience of the book and assess the author’s success in proving his/her thesis. State the book’s relevance.
Suggestions:
Read the entire book.
While reading think what the author is trying to say.
Take notes if necessary.
Write the first draft of your review ahead of the deadline. Set the draft aside for a day or two.
Revise your review at least once.
Proofread your paper before submitting it. Ask a friend to read your paper before submitting it.
Style and grammar:
Try to use present tense when writing about the book or the author and the past tense when discussing the subject of the book.
Avoid repetitions.
When mentioning a person for the first time use his/her full name.
Make sure that your review is understandable to somebody who has not read the book.
Use active voice unless using passive voice is unavoidable.
Do not quote extensively (no more than two-three short quotations per page).
Never use slang.
Avoid contradicting yourself.
Avoid using hyperbole
