This is a part of Lecture Series on Soft Skills for students at ARAI Academy.

1. Writing A Good Book Review
DR K.C. VORA
DEPUTY DIRECTOR & HEAD PG ACADEMY

2. Principally book reviews are good sources for evaluating
the quality of books.

3. What is a Book Review ?
A written opinion of what you think of a certain book
as well as an accompanying summary
A form of literary criticism in which a book is
analyzed based on content, style and merit

4. Purpose of a Book Review
• The book review is assigned to develop analytical
skills.
• To depict the content, regardless of the type of
fiction, non-fiction, historical, technical or critical
book.
• To discuss the content of the book and provide
analysis of what he/she had read, and deduce if the
author managed to reveal the core and achieved
the purpose of the book.
• To speculate on the topic

5. A Good Book Review . . .
Gives a statement telling the genre and what types
of people would enjoy reading this book.
Gives your personal opinions and thoughts about
the book and relates the book to your personal life.
Gives a brief summary of what goes on in the book
but not giving a way the final event ( to do this, you
usually just say a question such as “Who will win
the vigorous battle between ________ and
______? Read the book to find out !
Leaves the reader in suspense

6. The professional reviewer does not just have to read
and scrutinize the text, but to realize concealed,
implied meaning the author obviously had dropped
hints about. Skilled book reviewers' explanations
make the reader feel this “that is just what I thought”
sensation.

7. While reading the book…
Scan the Table of Contents, it can help understand
how the book is organized and will aid in
determining the author's main ideas and how they
are developed - chronologically, topically, etc.

8. How to Begin a Review…
Ask yourself the following questions…
 Why did the author write on this subject rather than on some other subject? The
Goals
 From what point of view is the work written?
 Was the author trying to give information, to explain something technical, to convince
the reader of a belief’s validity by dramatizing it in action?
 What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it?
 Who is the intended audience?
 What is the author's style? Is it formal or informal? (Evaluate the quality of the
writing style by using some of the following terms: coherence, clarity, originality,
convincibility, correct use of technical words, conciseness, fullness of development,
fluidity.) Does it suit the intended audience?
 How did the book affect you? Were any previous ideas you had on the subject
changed, abandoned, or reinforced due to this book? How is the book related to your
own course or personal agenda? What personal experiences you've had relate to the
subject?
 How well has the book achieved its goal?
 Would you recommend this book or article to others? Why?
The solutions will give you a basis for the review

9. 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?
Does the author suggest areas for further research or
discussion?
What has been left out?

10. The Review

11. Paragraph 1
The first paragraph follows the title and author.
In the 1st paragraph, you will need to include the
genre, and what type of people the book is geared
towards

12. Paragraph 2
In the 2nd paragraph you want to include your
personal opinions about the book and how parts
relate to your personal life
This paragraph is strictly about you and your
thoughts, and enjoyments

13. Paragraph 3
Your 3rd paragraph is the longest of all of your
paragraphs.
You will give a descriptive yet brief summary of at
least 9 sentences but no more that 15 sentences.
You must go through phases 1 through 3
(see next slide)

14. Paragraph 3-PLANNER
For your summary, you will need to design a phases
planner
Phase 1 Phase 2
Talk about the main events in the 1st Talk about the main events and the
Quarter of the book problems that occur during the 2nd Quarter
of the book. Talk about the major problem
Phase 3 Phase 4
Talk about the 3rd Quarter and the steps You don’t talk about this phase in your
leading up to the solution paragraph 3 but you must just plan it

15. Paragraph 4
This is your last required paragraph
Talk about the following;
 Author
 Author’s purpose
 Awards Book has Received
 Additional Info About the Book
 Closing
REMEMBER-WHAT EVER YOUR WRITE IN THE LAST
PARAGRAPH IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE WILL COMMONLY
REMEMBER.

16. Putting It All Together
Now you have a great report to be proud of
Type this neatly in a readable font, size 12 or 14
Convert this into a ppt for a great presentation