Writing Book Reviews & Article Critiques

Book Review/Article Critique

• A book review/article critique is a specialized form of academic writing that evaluates scholarly works' contributions to knowledge.
• These reviews usually range from 250 to 750 words.
• It involves a critical assessment, analysis, or evaluation of a work, be it a book, article, or legal case.
• Skills in critical thinking and recognizing arguments are essential.
• Critique means providing balanced judgment, not cynicism or pessimism.
• A book review/article critique differs from a book report, which describes the plot, characters, or ideas of a work.

Writing a Book Review or Article Critique

• Introduction comprises around 5% of the paper, identifying the book and its writer.
• Summary takes up about 10% of the paper, stating the objective/purpose and claims.
• The content forms the bulk, around 75% of the paper, covering appropriateness, theoretical soundness, interpretation, explanation, and perspectives.
• The conclusion makes up approximately 10% of the paper, giving an overall impression, scholarly value, benefits, and suggestions.
• Summarization in your own words is crucial when structuring the composition.
• Understand, summarize, and outline before writing the paper.
• Proofreading is essential.
• Your opinion holds as much weight as the writer's.
• Suggestions for the writer to improve their work should be included.
• Compare the topic's explanation to that of another expert in the same field.
• Pointing out other conclusions is also important.

Literature Review

• An academic writing that provides an overview of a specific topic.
• It surveys scholarly works like academic books (excluding textbooks), computerized databases, conference proceedings, dissertations, theses, empirical studies, government reports, historical records, and journal articles.
• Critically analyzes the relationship between different scholarly works and the current work.
• Combines summary and synthesis, linking different sources.

Function of a Literature Review

• It justifies a research question, method, or theoretical/conceptual framework.
• Establishes the topic's relevance.
• Provides required information to enhance understanding of a specific topic or study.
• Demonstrates the reviewer's familiarity and mastery of the subject.
• Establishes the study's niche.
• Resolves conflicts among contradictory studies.

Writing a Literature Review - Introduction

• State the purpose.
• Mention the topic's importance and scope.
• Specify literature selection criteria.
• State the review's organizational pattern, be it historical background or theories.
• Compare and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each paper.

Writing a Literature Review - Conclusion

• Restate the main argument or thesis statement.
• Link the literature review to the research questions.
• Offer overall perspectives on the topic.

Guidelines for Writing a Literature Review

• It has three parts: literature research, article evaluation and analysis, and writing the literature review.
• Review the documentation style during literature research.
• Select and focus on a topic for explanation.
• Determine the number and kind of sources to use (2-3).
• Survey available online databases and use relevant keywords for searching.
• Evaluate sources for coverage and currency, including only directly related articles.
• Evaluate and analyze the articles, ensuring a clear thesis or main argument statement.
• Justify a lack of studies on one aspect of the topic.
• Organize the body thematically, methodologically, or chronologically.
• Use direct quotations sparingly and ensure clear definitions.

Explore the art of crafting effective book reviews and article critiques. Understand the structure, including introduction, summary, content, and conclusion. Learn to evaluate scholarly works with critical thinking and balanced judgment, distinguishing critique from cynicism.