How to Write a Book Review: Step-by-Step Guide

Many of us like to read books and are enchanted by the world of books, but do you like to review it? You can love or hate a book, and would like to review it. A book review is to share your literary experience with a book. This blog will explain the importance of writing a book review, the format, provide a book review sample for students, give tips for writing a book review, elaborate on the significance of a book review. Read on to know more on writing a book review.

The Importance of Writing a Book Review

A book makes readers expect with its blurb, cover and initial pages, it begins to set expectations, the minute a reader views the cover page. These indicate the genre, tone and themes outlined in the book. A book review is generally written for books which capture interest negatively, or positively. Suppose, if a book is so good, but the ending not as well written, one has to review it to educate the readers, what to read or not.

How to Write a Book Review?

There are some steps to write a book review:

1. Provide a Summary: What is the story about? Who are the main characters? The main conflict of the story is also outlined in the summary.
2. Present your Evaluation: What did you think of the book? The elements that sparked interest in you, while reading the book, for example: the setting of the story in medieval Europe, the candlesticks and the sombre aura. What are the elements that did not work for you? Some books have strange endings that leave you baffled as a reader.
3. Recommend this book to others, while concluding: Would you recommend this book? Conclude the book review by highlighting strong points, recommending the book, if you liked it.

Book Review Format for Students

After you know the steps, you need to know the format, in case of a book report due to be submitted as an assignment.

• There are many kinds of formats used, however, the most commonly used is the academic book format used by students.

Introduction

There are four components used in the book review. This is where you will state the book, author, genre, length of the book. You should also give a short synopsis of the book. This will help the reader understand the structure of the book and through your review, they can understand the book.

Book Contents/ Outline

If a book has volumes/ parts, you should mention about them, while writing about book content/ outline.  You can also add more detail about the contents of the book, including important elements of the book, the genre of the book, what is covered in the book.

Opinion/ Argument/ Takeaway

Academic reviews are written with a purpose such as to present an argument, or it can be persuasive. Your job will be to convince readers to buy a particular book.

You need to make your opinion clear on any aspect of the book such as character development. You need to cite pages, quotes, plot points, character's actions that support opinion/ argument.

Conclusion

You must keep it short reiterating your overall opinion of the book and key takeaways related to the book you review.

Tips on Book Review Writing

Here are some tips on book review writing, after you know the format.

1. Remember this is not a book report: You should not only summarize the book, a summary or synopsis can be one of the elements of a book review, however, a book review is a critical account of the impression of a book as a reader detailing your opinion on whether to read the book, or not.

2. Give examples of similar books: You need to mention about books of the same genre in your review, in order to make the genre and theme of the book clear for readers.

3. Give your opinion: Even if your opinion is neutral regarding the book, you ought to review it and state your opinion highlighting strengths and weaknesses.

4. Keep a clear stance from the beginning: Do not save your opinion just for evaluation/ recommendation. Weave thoughts related to the book in the summary, as well. Your opinion should be clear to readers from the beginning.

5. Provide evidence from the story to back up your argument: Instead of only saying, ''the prose was evocative''. The review should contain specific examples, instances to prove how it was evocative. This also goes for a negative opinion, for example: do not state how unbelievable you found a character. Give examples through the actions of the character.

6. Provide the Details: The book's information should be present in the review. Is the author a novice, or an experienced one? Is a single book, or part of a series? The review should highlight all details, what type of books, or genres has the author written?

7. Take Ideas from other reviews: You can take ideas, while writing reviews from other book review writers.

Significance of Writing Book Reviews

Writing book reviews is an interesting experience for voracious readers. It gives you an opportunity to highlight nuances of a particular book. It also polishes writing skills. You get an opportunity to write critically about something. It is about engaging with the text, it reflects on the personal experience and insights of the book. It can truly inspire people to read a book, even, if they have not read.