BOOK REVIEW: œAbundance
Guidelines for Writing the œAbundance Book Review
FIRST:
Read the book, take notes, compare and contrast similar ideas gleaned from other sources (media, former classes, parents, teachers, friends etc.).
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Locate and discuss other reviews of the book (academic journals, popular magazines, blogs, etc.).
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Make sure to include proper citations in your reference list.
NEXT:
Introduce the subject, scope, and type of book.
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Identify the book’s author, title, and publishing information.
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Include some background to enable readers to place the book into context.
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Describe the general problem the book addresses.
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Include some information about the author.
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Is the author qualified to write on this subject? Why or why not?
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What are the author’s reasons for writing this book?
NEXT:
Summarize the content.
Please provide an overview of the book’s thesis and primary supporting material. IMPORTANT, this review is to be a commentary, not just a summary, so please provide a detailed overview of the book; the major points; some commentary on the scope and emphasis; and which, if any aspects of the subject has (in your view), been ignored. You should also consider the date of writing and, if evident, the author’s inherent biases.
NEXT:
Provide your reactions to the book.
Your critique should describe your view on how the author treated the subject.
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What did YOU think of:
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The overall thesis (interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive? Why?)
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The author’s worldview (What do you agree/disagree with? Why?)
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Issues raised by the book (What might be missing? Explain.)
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How does this author’s ideas compare with competing ideas?
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Compare with other books or authors: Support your arguments by citing, quoting or paraphrasing authors with whom you agree.
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Relate the book to larger issues:
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How did the book affect your view of memory and learning?
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How does this book fit into the context of the int300va?
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Did the book enhance your view of how personal choices/habits affect memory and learning?
FINALLY:
Conclude by summarizing your ideas.
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Your review should conclude with your personal critique.
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Has the author achieved the purpose, explicit or implicit, for writing the book?
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Has the author persuasively argued the thesis to your satisfaction (explain)?
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Has the book challenged you intellectually, raising new questions, or does the author simply revisit well worn territory?
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Would you recommend the book to others?
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If so, at what level; high school, undergraduate, graduate?
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What next steps would you propose to the author?
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Any advice for potential readers???
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Summarize your main points¦ close with a direct, brutally honest comment about the book.