This assignment is more than a book report and much more than a summary of the book.

Although you will include a brief summary, your book review should be a critical analysis of the

book. Use the questions below and the attached handout to guide you.

-Identify the author’s content and purpose.

-Did the author fulfill her purpose in the book?

-Did she use credible and unbiased evidence to support her argument?

-Was the book engaging?

-Did you agree with the author?

-Did you enjoy it?

-Would you recommend it to others?

-Who is the intended audience, and would this audience find the book helpful? Would they enjoy

it?

Guidelines

1 ½ – 2 pages typed

Name, date and class name on top

Double space and staple your paper

Introduction.

Your book review should have an introduction – just as all strong pieces

of academic writing. Begin your review with a general description of the topic and/or

problem addressed by the work in question. It is important to draw your readers in.

Summary of argument.

Next, you should summarize the book’s argument but be sure

to do this in a concise manner. If you are able to identify the book’s thesis, you may

quote it directly.

About the author(s).

Give some basic biographic information about the author. Who is

she? What is her area of expertise? Has she contributed to the field in any other

significant ways?

Summary of contents.

Explain how the author supports her main argument. What type

of sources does she use and give some information about her research methods.

Strength.

Highlight the particular area where you think the book does well. What is the

book’s greatest strength?

Critique.

Highlight what you think is the book’s weakness. You might pinpoint an area

where the author falls short in supporting her argument or where you find there to be

insufficient evidence.

Conclusion.

Finally, you should summarize you opinion of the book. What audience

would you recommend this book to? What might someone gain from this book?