What does the book cover? this is the summary part.)
2. Who is the author, what are his or her potential biases, and who is the intended audience
this is the background part.)
3. What are the major points that the author makes in the book? Please understand that
an author did not spend sometimes years to write a book, research a topic extensively,
gather opinions and stories, etc. just to hear himself or herself talk. She or he uses
arguments to persuade you, the reader, of something. In other words, it is unlikely to
be meaningless writing.
4. Do you think that the arguments and ideas presented in the book are correct? Do you
accept them? Why or why not? Specifically, does the author substantiate his or her
points satisfactorily with information, logic, examples, etc.?
5. Do the author’s ideas agree with your experience and knowledge?
6. If you have read material from other resources (news articles for the current event
assignment, for instance) on the same general topic, how does this book compare? It is
important to realize that knowledge evolves and thus, a book might be outdated; hence,
you must keep a critical mind while reading.
7. Are there special features about this book which interest or disturb you, such as unusual
information or new ways of looking at an issue?
8. Are there questions raised for you in this book which the author does not answer?
9. Are there additional comments you should include in order to make the essence of this
book understood by someone reading your review?
10. Does the thesis of the book make you reconsider what you knew? One can argue that if
an argument does not persuade you to change in some way, then it is pointless. Typically,
reviewers will structure this kind of review by expressing 3-5 remarkable ways in which
the book affected them. Note that there is a difference between a book that affects you
and a book that teaches you. Sometimes, the difference is subtle, but it is worthwhile
to distinguish these two qualities.
