Book and Literature Review

• Important considerations in writing a book review include determining what the book is about and whether its worth reading.

Book Review

• Focuses on a book's purpose, contents, and relevance
• Summarizes the concern of the book
• Includes relevant descriptions, perspectives, and purpose.
• Offers a critical assessment of the content, including personal reactions.
• Suggests whether the reader would appreciate the book and whether the book is worth reading.
• Reviews offer a concise plot summary, an evaluation of the work and a recommendation for the audience.

Literature Review

• Acts as a summary and analysis of existing scholarly work on a specific topic or research question
• Can be a section of a larger paper or a focus of an entire paper
• Involves gathering a comprehensive body of knowledge relevant to the research study
• Provides info that may help support and strengthen the study's findings
• Often written as part of a thesis, dissertation, or research paper to situate one's work in relation to existing knowledge and demonstrate familiarity with the subject.

Structure of a Literature Review

• Typically includes an introduction, body, and conclusion

Introduction

• Provides an overview of the topic
• States the research question or objective
• Defines the scope and purpose

Body

• Should organize literature by themes, concepts, or chronology.
• Each source should be critically evaluated for its strengths, weaknesses, and reliability.

Conclusion

• Summarizes the key points
• Highlights the research gaps.
• Addresses the research question
• Suggests directions for future research.