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After having prepared to read the book, scanned it, read it, taken notes on it, and written brief summaries, it is time to actually write our book review.
If you have followed the procedure in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, then you should have the following materials at hand:
- The four initial questions about the book and your answers.
- A description of the book (kind, subject, major parts, general outline, theme/purpose
- A detailed outline of the content and structure
- A set of critical notes
After looking over these notes, decide how you want to structure the review. A common structure is the following:
- Brief intro (title, author, genre; perhaps a foretaste of your critique, if you wish to give it away here). You might also say something about the author’s past work or history, if it is relevant.
- Description of the contents from beginning to end (you may want to insert some of your critique or commentary here)
- Critical analysis. Did the author achieve his or her purpose? Did you find it convincing or engaging? Describe any problems with the writing style, content, arguments, characters, plot. Finally, describe the contribution of the work to the field or genre.
- Your final recommendation, and the reasons for it.
This structure allows a reader to consider the book on its own, with mere description, before hearing what you think about it. Another structure might be useful, depending on the format of your review and the readership.
Notice also that there is little or no room for your mere reactions. Reactions are immediate and may very well be based on something that has nothing to do with the quality of the work itself. Suppose I had been in a terrible car accident. I pick up a novel, and the first scene is about a terrible car accident. My reaction might be one of disdain—it hits to close to home and I don’t like it. Or perhaps it actually resonates with my experience, and I love it. Neither of those is helpful to a reader (unless they had the same experience and same reaction.) Instead, avoid such reactions and let the text speak for itself—analyze, explore, reflect, and give it time. (This does not mean that you couldn’t let the reader know if your experience and reaction. It might actually humanize the review. I would put it near the end, as an aside, though some might put it at the beginning as a disclaimer.
Begin writing. Leave the intro for later, start right in with the description. Here you, can use your detailed outline as your prompt for writing, while perhaps referring to pertinent notes about some of the sections or parts. You should know the book well enough now that this will flow easily.
Once the description contents is finished, begin the critical section. This might go a little slower, as you review your questions and answers, and the critical notes. It might help to put them in the order of importance—your most meaningful and important critiques first, followed by the rest in order of importance for evaluating the book.
Once your critical section is completed, write the summary or closing. Now, go back and read through the entire review. Do not worry about errors or grammar just yet. Instead, make sure that if flows well and the structure is sound. Does it say what you want to say. Re-order sections or paragraphs; rewrite if necessary; delete or add parts if necessary. Once finished with this first edit, go back and write the introduction. You should have a good enough “feel” for your work to do with well. (Never write an introduction first!)
In general, the review should be finished now. It will need rereading, editing, and proofing, of course. Check word count, if that is an issue. As one of the last stages, I often read it out loud to myself for a different perspective. Another technique is to print it out and read it, or export it to a handheld device to proof. You will spot problems in different formats that you would not see otherwise.
Your review is complete. Send it out into the world (or to the publisher to send out) and let it go. Celebrate accordingly with something relaxing and a bit indulgent (I prefer a Fuente Hemingway cigar). Congratulate yourself, then move on to the next writing project.
ALL POSTS IN THIS SERIES
How to Write A Book Review (Part 1)
How to Write A Book Review (Part 2)
How to Write a Book Review (Part 3)
If you are interested in writing a book review for Sulis blog, contact Anthony Holmes via email.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]
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