BOOK REVIEW

Introduction: A book review is both a description and an evaluation of a book. It should focus on the book's purpose, contents, and authority. It is not a Book Report, but an analysis of the information presented, its accuracy and place within the body of literature addressing the subject.

Over the course of the semester you will be reading one of three novels chosen by the instructor. On two separate occasions you will meet with other members of the class who are reading the same novel as you and you will discuss the issues as you see them in the novel. This assignment has four steps:

Step One: Reading the Book

When reading the book start at the beginning:

1. What is the title? What impression do you gain from the title before you read it? Is it catchy? Does it give you any insight into the contents of the novel?
2. Preface/Introduction – This will provide the reader with important information on the author's purpose for writing the novel
3. Table of Contents – If there is one it will tell you how the book is organized and will aid in determining the author's main ideas and how they are developed - chronologically, topically, etc. If it is a fictional work there might not be a table of contents

Reading the Book

Record impressions as you read and note effective passages for quoting. Keep these questions in mind:

1. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it? (Use outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field, if necessary.)
2. From what point of view is the work written?
3. What is the author's style? Is it formal or informal? Does it suit the intended audience? If a work of fiction, what literary devices does the author use?
4. Are concepts clearly defined? How well are the author's ideas developed? What areas are covered/not covered? Why? This helps to establish the book's authority.
5. If a work of fiction, make notes on such elements as character, plot, setting, and how they relate to the theme of the book. How does the author delineate his characters? How do they develop? What is the plot structure?
6. How accurate is the information in the book? Check outside sources if necessary.
7. If relevant, make note of the book's format - layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there maps and illustrations? Do they aid understanding?
8. Check the back matter. Is the index accurate? What sources did the author use - primary or secondary? How does he make use of them? Make note of important omissions.
9. What has the book accomplished? Is further work needed? Compare the book to others by this author or by others. (Note: use the listing in the bibliography.)

Societal Considerations

Consider these questions from an anthropological, sociological and psychological viewpoint

1. What questions are asked or discussed regarding society that are important?
2. Consider the book from a Anthropological, Sociological or Psychological perspective

Consult Additional Sources

Try to find further information about the author - his/her reputation, qualifications, influences, etc. - any information that is relevant to the book being reviewed and that would help to establish the author's authority. Knowledge of the literary period and of critical theories can also be helpful to your review. Your professor and/or reference librarian will be able to suggest sources to use.

Step Two: Creating a Thesis and Writing an Outline

Prepare an Outline

After carefully reviewing your notes, attempt to unify your impressions into a thesis statement that will explain your intentions in your review. Next, outline the arguments that support your thesis. Your arguments should develop the thesis in a logical manner.

Outline

Step Three: Writing the Book Review

Write the Draft

Using your notes and the outline as a guide, write your rough draft. Your book review should include the following:

Preliminary Information - The complete bibliographic citation for the work i.e., title in full, author, place, publisher, date of publication, edition statement, pages, special features (maps, color plates, etc.), price, and ISBN. This should be placed two spaces underneath the title “Book Review”.

Example:

Romeo Dallaire
Shake Hands With The Devil:
The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda
Canada: Knopf Canada, 2003.
592pp. $24.95
0786715103

Introduction - Try to capture the reader's attention with your opening sentence. The introduction should state your central thesis, and set the tone of the review.

Development - Develop your thesis using supporting arguments as set out in your outline. Use description, evaluation, and if possible explanation of why the author wrote as he/she did. Use quotations to illustrate important points or peculiarities. Be sure to include references to outside sources.

Conclusion - If your thesis has been well argued, the conclusion should follow naturally. It can include a final assessment or simply restate your thesis. Do not introduce new material at this point.

Step Four: Movie Poster Assignment

Create a movie poster using Adobe Photoshop. The Poster should advertise the movie version of the novel. It is important to be creative as you want to make the film appealing to potential viewers.

The dimensions of the poster are as follows:

• 11”x17”
• RGB Colour
• 72 pixels/inch

Society: Challenge and Change, HSB4M Student Name: _________________________
Society: Challenge and Change: Book Review Evaluation

Criteria	Level 1 (50-59)		Level 2 (60-69)	Level 3 (70-79)	Level 4 (80-100)
Introduction / Thesis		-weak introduction of topic, thesis & subtopics -thesis is weak and lacks an arguable position	-adequate introduction that states topic , thesis and some of the subtopics - thesis is somewhat clear and arguable	-proficient introduction that states topic, thesis, and all subtopics in proper order - thesis is a clear and arguable statement of position	-exceptional introduction that grabs interest of reader and states topic, thesis, and all subtopics in proper order - thesis is exceptionally clear, arguable, well developed, and a definitive statement
Quality of Information / Evidence		-limited information on novel with lack of insight or examination of topic	-some aspects of review are researched with some accurate evidence from limited sources	-novel is thoroughly examined with accurate & critical evidence from the book	-novel is exceptionally researched, extremely detailed and accurate with critical evidence from the book
Organization/ Development of Ideas		-review lacks clear and logical development of ideas with weak transition b/w ideas and paragraphs	-somewhat clear and logical development of subtopics with adequate transitions b/w paragraphs	-clear and logical subtopic order that supports thesis with good transitions b/w paragraphs	-exceptionally clear, logical, mature, and thorough development of subtopics that support thesis with excellent transition b/w paragraphs
Conclusion		-lack of summary of topic, thesis & subtopics with weak concluding ideas	-adequate summary of topic, thesis and some subtopics with some final concluding ideas	-good summary of topic, thesis and all subtopics with clear concluding ideas	-excellent summary of topic (with no new information), thesis & all subtopics in proper order with concluding ideas that leave an impact on reader
Language Conventions		- inconsistent grammar, spelling and paragraphing throughout paper	-paper has some errors in grammar, spelling and paragraphing	-paper is clear, with mostly proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing	-paper is very concise, clear, with consistently proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing