The procedure of writing a book review should follow three main aims:

1. To analyze.
2. To describe.
3. To evaluate.

The writer should present his/her opinion, supporting it with citations and ideas from the particular book. Let’s learn how to cook this “dish” and what ingredients to add.

Recipe #1

Before writing a book review, prepare a set of questions you are likely to answer. Don't forget to support them with quotations and descriptions from the book. Make sure that your replies are presented in a logical order and suit the purpose of your paper.
This recipe may be the most suitable for the situation when you yourself have already browse the book many times and know its plot.

Recipe #2

Examine available book review samples and mention their main features. For instance , they may be these:

• Description of the book generally and its main idea.
• Analysis of the language of the book.
• Expressing impressions after reading.
• Pointing out the most important quotations and ideas.
• Mentioning the ideas of famous critics.
• Talking about main characters, their actions and behavior.
• Stating whether or not the book is worth reading.

Recipe #3

Writing a book review to your taste. According to this method, good book reviews must be written centered on your preferences in reading. Choose books you actually like, although not those recommended by the teacher. Give preference to classical novels, books with various awards (Pulitzer, Nobel Prizes, and so forth ), practical guides, biographies of highly successful people or popular books on psychology.

Recipe #4

Having an assignment from a teacher with strict requirements. There's absolutely no variety of choices, but however, you should not think over things to write. Just follow the teacher’s guide and requirements. Do not forget to take down notes while reading your assigned book – pay attention to areas of the text supporting ideas from your own assignment and people ones contradicting them. Try to look for information about the writer and historical details about the book, such as when it was written.

Ingredients for Good Book Reviews

1. Particular adverbs and adjectives, expressing your personal opinion – thoughtful, devastating, suspenseful, complicated, incomprehensible, mysterious, and so forth Do not use ones which are very nearly empty in meaning (cute, funny, awful, nice, informative, etc . ).
2. Your personal comments and impressions. To include flavor to your book review, state your perspective about characters, their actions, communication, and so on
3. Objective opinions. Support every idea with proper citations while writing a book review.
4. Clarity and precision. Stating your recommendations whether to read the book or not and who might like it: be transparent to the readers.

Problems in Preparing Good Book Reviews?

A book review is a highly personal written piece, so there are no strict rules, requirements and guides. It is possible to write 100 words, or enlarge your paper to 1500 words – every thing depends on your goals, tasks, readers and creativity. In case you feel you can not deal with writing a book review, ESSAYSHARK.com writers are always eager to assist you to. We deliver original types of academic papers, written in accordance with clients’ needs. Place an order around and be sure you will meet your instructor’s requirements and expectations.