Guidelines for Writing a Book Review General Requirements

Read For the Common Good: A New History of Higher Education in America (Dorn, 2017) take
notes, and compare and contrast with other class materials. Locate reviews of the book in the
professional literature and read them. Introduce the Subject, Scope, and Type of Book. Identify
the book by author, title, and publishing information. Include some background to enable readers
to place the book into context.
Describe the general issue(s) the book addresses. In framing your review, you should provide
some information about the author. What are his or her relevant qualifications and background
(or lack thereof) for writing on this subject? What were his or her reasons for writing this book?
(Often the preface contains such information.)
Summarize the Content. A book review is an essay the purpose of which is to comment on a
particular work bearing upon a single subject or related subjects. Provide an overview, including
brief paraphrases and quotations, of the book’s thesis and primary supporting points. The most
important element about a book review is that it is a commentary, not just a summary. However,
for the purpose of HLDR 6820, provide a fairly detailed descriptive summary of the contents of
the book (approximately 2 ½ –3 pages).
Present an overview of the book, an outline or synopsis of the major topics, indicating the scope,
the major emphasis (political, economic, intellectual, etc.) and which, if any, aspects of the
subject are totally ignored. What evidence is cited? Has new documentation become available? If
so, identify the new documentation. Or, does the book present a novel interpretation based on
previously available documents or information? Consider also the time during which the book
was written and, if evident, the author’s values and biases. It probably will be necessary to refer to specific portions of the book to illustrate your statements and conclusions, but it is generally
not advisable to use direct quotes extensively. Do not try to make more points than can be
accomplished thoroughly in your review. It is better to make a few points well than many points
poorly.
Once you have decided on the central points you intend to make, treat each one as a separate
subsection of your review. Each subsection should explain the one point, supporting it with your
own arguments and with brief examples from the book under review, and drawing conclusions as
to the meaning and importance of the point.
Provide Your Reactions to the Book. The bulk of your review should concentrate on your
evaluation of the way the author handled the issues discussed. Address one or more of the
following: Describe the book: What is the overall thesis? Is it interesting, memorable,
entertaining, instructive? Why? Respond to the author’s worldview: What do you agree with?
And why? What do you disagree with? Why? Explore issues the book raises: What possibilities
does the book suggest? Explain. What matters does the book leave out? Explain. Relate your
argument to other books or authors: Support your argument for or against the author’s opinions
by bringing in other authors you agree with. Relate the book to larger issues: How did the book
affect your worldview of higher education? How have your opinions about the topic changed?
How is the book related to the content of the course*? How did the thesis compare with other
course* materials? What are your reactions? Did the book enhance your understanding of the
issues? Be as direct as possible.
Conclude by Summarizing Your Ideas Your review should conclude with your personal critique.
Refer back to your introductory paragraph. What is your ultimate judgment of the style, format,
contents, and value of the book? Has the author achieved his purpose, explicit or implicit, for writing the book? Has he persuasively argued the thesis to your satisfaction? Why or why not?
Compare the evidence cited and argumentation used to support the respective conclusions. Has
the book challenged you intellectually, increasing your knowledge, raising new questions, and/or
presenting the material in a novel or provocative manner or does the author simply rehash what
everyone already knows? Would you recommend the book, and at what educational level or to
whom? What book on this subject still needs to be written? Briefly restate your main points and
your thesis statement. Close with a direct comment on the book, and tie together issues raised in
the review.
Draft, Rewrite, Review All good writing is rewriting. Put your review aside for a few days and
then look at it with fresh eyes. Check for flow and transitions between paragraphs and sections.
Are the ideas in the proper sequence? Is your language clear, direct, and concise? Is your writing
free of mechanical, grammatical, and APA errors?
*Course is the history and social issues in higher education topics in course include:
Common good vs for profit
Historical issues comparison to present issues
Equal opportunity
Access and Advantage/ Accessibility and Exclusivity
Public and Common good, GI Bill and Science Advancement
Liberal education vs. Professional education
Globalization overseas campuses –international understanding vs new revenue strea