Book Review

PA 6665 BOOK REVIEW FORMAT

Content

Title Page

Summary (500 words; 30 points)

Summarize your book in 500 words (no more than 2 pages). Avoid summarizing the book chapter by chapter. Also avoid

quoting extensively from the book; it should primarily be in your own words.

Concrete Responses (250 words; 15 points)

Write about a personal or professional life episode that this book triggered for you. As you read the book, what video

memory came to mind? Be sure to relate your story in first person, describing specific actions and/or quoting specific

conversations. Reading any material becomes more powerful when you can make personal connections.

Reflection (250 words; 15 points)

As you were reading this book, what new questions did it raise for you? Did something trouble you about the book, or

leave you asking for more information? What are some of the positives and negatives of the book? Provide a concise

critique of the strengths and weaknesses. What did the author do well? Not so well? Don’t be afraid to disagree with the

author, but cite specific examples to support your assertions. Who was the intended audience? Did the author

communicate effectively to that audience? Does the author have the necessary expertise to write the book? Does the

author assume the reader has a particular level of knowledge? How does it relate to other sources on the same topic?

Does it contribute anything new? Is the author biased? (This does not communicate if you liked it or not.)

Action (250 words; 20 points)

What actions are you going to take after reading this book? Provide some specific action steps based on the core

messages of the book. What personal and/or professional changes will you implement?

References

Provide the full APA citation for your book, as well as any other materials you may have used in your book review.

Mechanics

Writing (10 points)

The remaining 10 points will be based on your writing. Be sure your sentences are well written (no incomplete or run-on

sentences). Sentences must be clear and concise. Proper rules of grammar and punctuation are followed, and spelling is

correct throughout the paper.

Formatting (10 points)

Title and reference pages are included. Citations (in text, and in references) are in APA format. Specific quotes are used

strategically and sparingly (provide specific page numbers per APA format).