REVIEWING A TEXT; WRITING A CRITIQUE:
Opinion + Analysis = Insight
A critical review of a text (book, play, film, restaurant, CD, website, painting, etc.) has a more specific aim than the kind that often appear in newspapers and magazines. In your study of the work you must evaluate the text’s content and form, as well as analyze it in terms of its contribution to the discipline by illustrating your own effective argument. In this case, it is an book.
One way to think about writing a review is to take a teacherly stance–think of your essay as a seminar exploring questions of taste, style, and judgment. In short, you are trying to inform and persuade. By assessing the strengths and weaknesses and making aesthetic evaluations in the process, you are trying to influence an audience’s reaction, affect their opinions, and shape their attitudes. In a review, assume that your audience already has a general idea about the text, but they don’t know everything yet. And, reviews are full of attitude/personality, so have fun with it.
Introductions and conclusions are often short and to the point (1 paragraph). A brief paragraph in which you provide a summary of the text (story, plot line, theme, etc.) is usually the second paragraph (it can also be used to define technical terms). Then you proceed to make a systematic inquiry into the nature of the text in question so that you can put it into perspective for an audience. Direct quotes are used sparingly–the review is more about explaining. Examples play a major role, so be sure to add them. Above all else, have an informed opinion and be insightful. The goal of an effective review is to help your reader better understand the text and make an informed choice and decision about whether or not to read or buy that book. One key word that often appears in a review is because… since you have to explain and justify your claims.
HERE ARE SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR REVIEW:
–be skeptical. Ask questions.
–describe and assess the text’s tactics.
–consider the intended audience.
–be discerning. Focus on important factors.
–illustrate your argument with brief passage from the text (quotations and examples).
–be fair, helpful, and careful.
–maintain a critical balance–include both positives and negatives.
–don’t be intimated by a canonized text or respected author.
— consider design, structure, style, audience.
–go to the micro and macro levels (little & big aspects)
One key to an effective review is a clear and detailed thesis. In a review it is called the criteria, or a list of measuring devices. The criteria for the review is located at the end of the introduction. These are the things that the review will analyze and judge. Everyone will have a different set of measuring devices–the key is to have a worthwhile mix of big and little things. The rest of the review simply explains and illustrates those items in the criteria. Organization is important–minor to major things or chronological. Sometimes, compare and contrast can be used if the review wants to point out similarities and differences with another item (book, play, film, website, poem, etc.).
Here’s an example of a criteria for a movie review:
By exploring the film’s use of special effects, soundtrack, cinematography, screenplay, and casting, we will be better able to see how an effective summer blockbuster like Twilight is designed and marketed toward teens.
In the conclusion of a review a recommendation is made. Sort of a “Thumbs up! Thumbs down!” opinion. Explain to the reader why the positive or negative judgment call.
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Guidelines: A review of 4-5 pages or about 1000-1300 words.
Double spaced. Font: Times New Roman or Arial. Black ink. Number pages.
Secondary sources can be used, but only sparingly. If they are, then include a bibliography.
I’d prefer if you just used the Module notes to support comments. (These documents are attached.) Use quotes from the novella to illustrate points. (EText is attached.)
The document should be in docx.
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