Steps for Writing a Nonfiction Book Review
Part I: Reading the Book
The following questions are designed to help you generate and focus your ideas when preparing to write a book review. Consider these questions and take notes as you read the book. The questions are intended to help you discover information and focus your thinking.
Who, what, when, where, how questions
Who wrote the book? What else have they written? Are they known for anything else?
Who is the intended audience?
What is the theme?
What is the author's purpose in writing this book?
What is the tone? What is the point of view? What is the mood?
When was the book written? Is it timely?
Where does the action take place?
How does it convey its main point, mood, or theme?
How well does it fulfill its purpose?
Evaluation questions
• Did I like this in general? Why?
• Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?
• What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?
• Did the author do a good job? Why or why not?
• How could it be improved? Why would particular changes help?
After you have answered these questions, begin selecting and organizing the information that you'll include in your paper.
Part II: Writing the Review
1. Introduce the subject, scope, and type of book
a. Identify the book by author and title.
b. Identify the book's theme.
c. Include background that places the book into a specific context. For example, you might want to describe the general problem the book addresses or earlier work the author or others have done.
2. Briefly summarize the content
Provide an overview, including paraphrases and quotations, of the book's thesis, purpose and primary supporting points.
3. Provide your reactions to the book
a. Describe the book: Is it interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive? Why?
b. Respond to the author's opinions: What do you agree with? Why? What do you disagree with? Why?
c. Explore issues the book raises: What possibilities does the book suggest? Explain. What matters does the book leave out? Explain.
d. Relate your argument to other books or authors: Support your argument for or against the author's opinions by bringing in other authors you agree with.
e. Relate the book to larger issues: How did the book affect you? How have your opinions about the topic changed? How is the book related to your own course or personal agenda.
4. Conclude by summarizing your ideas
Close with a direct comment on the book, and tie together issues raised in the review. Briefly restate your main points. If you like, you can offer advice for potential readers.