Writers Write shares writing resources and writing tips. In this post, we share ideas on how to write a great book review.
A book review falls into the categories of Comment, Opinion, and Columns. When writing a review you are expressing your opinion and you should assess the book honestly.
Think about the tone you are going to use for the review. Read: 155 Words To Describe An Author’s Tone
The tone you use will go a long way to creating a mood, which will greatly affect the reader of your reviews.
Remember to be fair. You can be witty, but you should never be nasty. Never rant because you feel strongly about something. Sometimes, you can get away with an argument if you amuse and inform.
How To Write A Great Book Review
The Mechanics
- Choose a genre you enjoy reading.
- Include the correct title, author, imprint, and ISBN number.
- Write about the plot of the book in present tense, for example, say ‘Debra wakes up…’ and not ‘Debra woke up…’.
- Give your opinion in first person, for example, say ‘I enjoyed’ and not ‘The reader will enjoy’.
- Write in clear, plain English. Never write in a literary style. It simply shows your inexperience.
- The length varies according to the publication’s specifications. Generally, 180-300 words is a good length.
- Please check readability statistics. They should be above 60%.
The Seven Elements Of A Great Book Review
- Give a brief outline of the plot. Do not include the ending.
- Mention the genre.
- Is it the author’s first book? If not, what else has he or she written? How does this one compare?
- Discuss the characters. The protagonist and the antagonist must be mentioned. Are they three-dimensional? Are they believable?
- Do you think the book is well written? Describe why you think it is or isn’t. It could be engaging, delightful, or inspiring. It could be staid, boring, or contrived.
- Was it what you expected it to be?
- Would you recommend it? If yes, why? If no, why not?
If It’s Bad…
If the book is horrible, a good way to deal with it is by using the ‘sandwich’ technique. Start by saying something good, fill in the middle with the negative information, and end with a positive comment.
And…
Always remember the review is not about you. It’s about the book.
The Format We Use
Read more about how we rate books here: The Writers Write Book Review Format
Reviews On Social Media
Follow The Bluestocking Review on Facebook for reviews by Writers Write.
Top Tip: If you want to learn how to write a book, sign up for our online course.
by Amanda Patterson
© Amanda Patterson
If you enjoyed this article, read:
- Why You Need To Read More Books
- The 7 Critical Elements Of A Great Book
- 9 Literary Terms You Need To Know
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2 thoughts on “How To Write A Great Book Review”
I’ve been thinking of starting a blog of book reviews, and this has some good points to consider. I’m aiming at around 500 words, which isn’t too overwhelming. Was wondering if you might have advice for non-fiction as well? Thanks!
Why give ISBN?
Should book reviews only be for new books? I enjoy reviewing older books too, but I realize those reviews aren’t as useful to readers who want new book recommendations.
150-200 words, huh? I sometimes go two pages. It’s hard to balance review (what the readers want – why should I read this or not read this) with analysis (what I want – intellectual exercise, thoughts, reflections, meditations, memories, and tangents… things that will help me remember what my experience of reading was years after the fact)
I guess that’s why I don’t get many views. XD If you want to give me some advice or see what mine looks like, my book review site is http://www.kurobanabookblog.com
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