Book Review Guideline
-drafted for internal use at IRC-
This procedure is meant to be a guideline for writing reviews and is applicable
regardless of the source or format of the data or information (called “document” in
the procedure).
A book review provides informed judgment on whether to read the book. It will
place the work within a broader context, explaining what important issues are
worth the attention of readers. It should tell what the book is about, and how well it
accomplishes its goals and what it might mean to a reader. It combines accurate,
analytical reading and strong, personal response. In other words, reviewers answer
not only the WHAT but also the SO WHAT question about a book. The reviewer's
opinion is an essential part of a book review. While the emphasis should be on
intellectual content, comments on quality of figures, the size of the type, frequency
of typographical errors, the quality of the paper and the binding, physical
dimensions, and the price can be included.
Elements to be considered for inclusion in the book review:
- the author's viewpoint and purpose
- the author's main points
- the kind of evidence the author uses to prove his or her points. (Is the
evidence convincing? Does the author support his or her points
adequately?)
- the relation of this book to other books on the same topic. (Is the book
unique? Does it add new information? What group of readers, if any, would
find this book most useful?)
- the author's professional expertise to write the book.
- the most appropriate criteria by which to judge the book. (e.g. for a manual
the criteria could be: definition of the problem - identification of causes -
planned action points - necessary background information - specific
solutions; for a scientific book: kind of theory argued for - evidence used
to support the author’s scholarly claims - validity of the evidence -
expertise of the author - contribution of the book to the knowledge of the
field)
- Your opinion on how successful the author was in carrying out the overall
purposes of the book. (Depending on the book's purpose, you should select
appropriate criteria by which to judge its success)..
IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, 17 Aug 2005 / BW 1
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Writing the book review
Reviews generally include the following kinds of information. A general rule of
thumb is that the first one-half to two-thirds of the review should summarize the
author's main ideas and at least one-third should evaluate the book. Page numbers
should be supplied for all quoted passages. The review should be brief, no longer
than 1,000 words.
Format:
- heading ( includes bibliographic information: Author(s) (year of
publication). Title. Edition. (Series; no. ). Place of publication, publisher
(library barcode and shelf number, if already available).
- introduction (mentions what the review will say; names the author and
title again; gives a very brief overview of the contents of the book, the
purpose or audience for the book, and your reaction and evaluation)
- background information (scope, purpose, and content of the work and its
significance in the literature of the subject, helps place the book in context
and discusses criteria for judging the book).
- summary of the main points. (quotes and paraphrases key phrases from the
author).
- evaluation (Critical analysis of the book: strengths and weaknesses;
Lessons from the book to be applied to the field; use of sources;
methodology; organization; presentation; and personal experiences related
to the subject; Recommendation of the book to others). It is important to
carefully distinguish your views from the author's, so that you don't confuse
your reader.
- conclusion (ties together issues raised in the review and provides a concise
comment on the book).
- Rating (useful, very useful, essential)
Read more
Curtis Runnels
The Place of Book Reviews in the Professional Literature (Entire essay)
21 (1994) 357--360
References
ACCU Association of C & C++ Users, http://www.accu-usa.org/Book-
Review-Guidelines.html, 10 July 2003
Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services,
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/book_reviews.shtml, 10 July 2003
Instructional Technology Research Online,
http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwitr/features/reviews/bookreviewguide.html, 10 July
2003
IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, 17 Aug 2005 / BW 2
links checked on 9 Apr 2008 - Contact: askirc@irc.nl
H-Net, Humanities and Social Sciences Online, http://www2.h-
net.msu.edu/reviews/style/, 10 July 2003
Flak Magazine, http://flakmag.com/guides/bookguide.html, 10 July 2003
Journal of Field Archaeology, Boston University) http://jfa-
www.bu.edu/Biz/jfa_guidebk.html, 10 July 2003
Monatshefte fuer deutschsprachige Literatur und Kultur, University of
Wisconsin, Madison, http://german.lss.wisc.edu/~monat/bkrevsubguide.shtml,
10 July 2003
GCA Editorial Office, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA,
http://gca.wustl.edu/information/bookrevs.html, 10 July 2003
IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, 17 Aug 2005 / BW 3
links checked on 9 Apr 2008 - Contact: askirc@irc.nl