A book review is often part of an author’s promotional campaign. A book review can be written by a professional book reviewer who specializes in books on a certain topic or a self-help book about a particular topic. It can also be written by anyone who has read a certain book and wants to share his or her opinion about it with others. However, not everyone can write an effective book review.
First, book reviews must provide a summary of the book, especially a short summary. This is typically called a table of contents, but a good one should be long enough to list all the elements of the book. A book review may contain a short overview of the author, the background and current state of the author, his or her characters, and other important aspects of the writing. Other helpful sections may include information about the plot, the character development, the themes, and other factors that affect readers’ decisions. Finally, readers might find it useful to know what other people have said about the book, especially if they expressed any points of interest.
After the table of contents, the summary should introduce the main thesis of the book. The thesis is the central idea or theme of the review, and it is usually written in the first person, as if presenting the writer’s own viewpoint on the matter. The best way to write a brief overview of the thesis is to first describe it in as much detail as possible. Then, fill in the details in the next paragraphs.
Next, a book review should present both its pro and con arguments. A summary may simply summarize the central point, but a more detailed description will allow readers to better understand the author’s arguments. As a general rule, a critical assessment of the arguments presented should be limited to two to three sentences, and the remainder should be a summary or interpretation of the critical points raised in the text. A book review should never completely discredit the text, but a cautious review will allow readers to form their own opinions about the book.
Finally, a book review should address specific issues or complaints about the text. Book reviews typically deal with some major issues, such as the themes of the book or the main characters. However, some issues are less common, and readers may not see the need to include these points in their summaries. These concerns should be addressed in the body of the review.
A book review will sometimes deal with the central thesis or argument of the text, but many times the focus is on secondary points or the author uses different strategies to support his main point. For example, if the author uses scientific methods to support his main argument, the review will explain how he uses scientific methods, where he used them, and why he believes that his arguments are true. Similarly, a review will mention what other critics have said about the book, but the writer has not presented his own viewpoint about the matter.
The book reviews should also show how readers have reacted to the book. Many times readers comment on the book without mentioning their own opinions; however, a good review shows why readers who have given the book a fair share of attention did not find the book to be enjoyable or even of value. A good review can show how readers found the book to be relevant and well-thought of, but didn’t feel it was anything special.
Most readers don’t like to read books that do not interest them. A book review, when written properly, addresses these needs by showing how readers found the book to be relevant and interesting, while revealing some of the most interesting aspects of the text. In short, the book review provides the necessary background information about a book that gives readers more insight into the text. In essence, a book review can take the place of an introduction or prelude, helping readers learn more about a book before deciding whether to read it or not. As a result, book reviews are invaluable to booksellers, editors, and readers alike.