Give the author's name; full title of book including subtitle; editor, if any; place, publisher and date of publication; edition, if necessary; and the number of pages - all this in the appropriate bibliographical style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) under the title of the review or report.
Part 2: Background information (5%)
Provide information on the author(s). Be factual and relevant.
Note any interesting circumstances that led to the writing of the book.
What are the author's qualifications? Are they respected in their field?
Has the author written any other books on this topic?
What is the author's personal history? Does it relate to the topic?
Does this book present new research on the topic or does it build on prior work?
Part 3: Intended Audience (5%)
Ask yourself why the book was written and who are expected to be its intended readers.
Is the material meant for specialists, students, or the general public?
Is it focused on a specific subject or is it a general survey of a wider subject?
Several areas may provide clues: appendices, bibliographies and general indexes usually accompany scholarly works; prefaces and introductions often contain an author's explicit statement of intention; the content and style of expression will be a good indication of the intended audience.
Part 4: Purpose of the Book (25%)
What is the book about? Tell your reader not only the main concern of the book in its entirety (subject) but also what the author's particular point of view is on that subject (thesis statement).
Outline the author(s) thesis statement.
If you cannot find an adequate statement in the author's own words or if you feel that the stated thesis statement is not that which the book actually develops (make sure you check for yourself), then you will have to compose a thesis statement that does cover all the material.
This statement must be brief (a sentence or a paragraph), accurate and comprehensive.
Part 5: Summary of Contents (50%)
Discuss the content by providing a concise overview of the author’s main themes. Provide a broad sweep of the issues discussed in the book.
Part 6: Recommendations (10%)
Was it a good book?
Did it make you reconsider your stance?
Do you think others would benefit from reading it? If so, who and why?
