2nd Quarter AIR Book Review Writing Assignment

Due Date: _____________________________

What is a review?
A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider
books, films, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other
forms. This assignment will focus on your AIR book.

Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a
summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer
agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in its knowledge, judgments,
organization, and/or stylistic choices. You should clearly state your opinion of the work being reviewed. This book review will
resemble other types of academic writing, with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion. See the
guidelines below.

Typically, reviews are brief. In newspapers and academic journals, they rarely exceed 1000 words, although you may
encounter lengthier assignments and extended commentaries. In either case, reviews need to be succinct. Your review
should not extend beyond one page, single-spaced (approximately 400-500 words), 12 pt. font . While they vary in
tone, subject, and style, they share some common features:
 First, a review gives the reader a concise summary of the content. This includes a relevant description of the
topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
 Second, and more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content. This involves your reactions
to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it
enhanced your understanding of the issues at hand.
 Lastly, in addition to analyzing the work, a review often suggests whether or not the audience would
appreciate it.
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Book Review Guidelines:
There is not one way to write a book review, but for this project, a strong review will include the following elements:

BOOK INFORMATION (serves as a heading)

 Title of Book
 Author
 Genre
 Date of Publication
 Page #s:
 Rating: Exceptional, Good, Average, Below Average, or Terrible

IMAGE (book cover or artwork/Image) MANDATORY

Your review should contain either the book cover or an image from the book. Feel free to be creative and draw the
cover or create an image yourself. If you are not feeling “artsy,” you may cut and paste artwork or an image online.

TITLE (of review)

Give your book review a title that conveys your feelings about the book. You might not be able to create a title
until you have finished the book review. Also include your (the reviewer’s) name and the date of review.

INTRODUCTION
Write an interesting introduction that catches the audience’s attention. Your introduction might include:
1. a strong, lively (even humorous) opening that capture the reader’s attention
2. a brief summary of the book (SOMEBODY WANTED…, BUT…, SO…) and your opinion of it
3. brief description of the narrator and POV
4. the book’s central theme or idea and the nuances that set it apart from other books like it
 5. your dominant impression of the book
NOTE: EITHER THE INTRODUCTION OR THE BODY OF YOUR REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE A BRIEF SUMARY
OF THE BOOK TO PROVIDE CONTEXT BEFORE YOU DIVE INTO THE COMMENTARY.

BODY
For the body of your review, refer back to your journal entries pertaining to setting, character, conflict, significant
scene/passage/quote, and your recommendation.

1. Body Paragraph 1:
Describe the setting of your book and explain its significance. Consider the following: What is the time and
place of the setting? How does it compare or contrast to the setting in which you live? How does it shape the
lives of the characters in the book? How does it contribute to the conflict in the book?

2. Body Paragraph 2:
Choose one character that had to tackle a conflict (difficult situation). Consider the forces (personal, social and/or
political) that created the situation and explain. Also, consider how the character chose to handle the situation. Do
you agree with the character’s choices and what was the impact of these choices?
-OR-
Choose one character in your book that you strongly like or dislike. Explain what the character did (or did not do)
to cause you to feel this way.

3. Body Paragraph 3:
Identify a significant scene/passage/quote that stands out either for form or content. If you are highlighting a
scene, summarize it and pull the most important words to quote. If you are highlighting a long passage, paraphrase it
and pull the most important words to quote. Explain the significance. You may highlight more than one
scene/passage/quote. Remember to include page numbers.

Signposts you might NOTE and NOTICE:

 Contrasts and Contradictions  Words of the Wiser
 Aha Moment  Again and Again
 Tough Questions  Memory Moment

CONCLUSION
Although the tone of the review should imply how you feel about the book, explicitly discuss your
opinion of the book and whether or not you would recommend it to a friend. Consider the following:
 What you think the author’s goal was in writing the book and if she/he succeeded in doing so. Your
analysis should mention specific elements on the novel. “I don’t like the book because it was sad” is
not an analytical statement. If the book seemed gloomy, you might want to discuss the effectiveness
(or not) of that tone or imagery in developing a dominant theme, revealing a character, and/or
influencing your response to the work.
 Were characters interesting and credible? Why?
 How did the plot hold or not hold your interest. What made the book an enjoyable or not so enjoyable
read?
*Of course, a couple of quotes would support your analysis.

You will be placed in small groups to give a one minute oral

presentation to introduce the book and share your review. In
addition, your work will either be posted electronically or physically
in the classroom.