phrases to use in book reviews

How to Write a Book Review: A Comprehensive Tutorial With Examples

You don’t need to be a literary expert to craft captivating book reviews. With one in every three readers selecting books based on insightful reviews, your opinions can guide fellow bibliophiles toward their next literary adventure.

Learning how to write a book review will not only help you excel at your assigned tasks, but you’ll also contribute valuable insights to the book-loving community and turn your passion into a professional pursuit.

In this comprehensive guide,  PaperPerk  will walk you through a few simple steps to master the art of writing book reviews so you can confidently embark on this rewarding journey.

What is a Book Review?

A book review is a critical evaluation of a book, offering insights into its content, quality, and impact. It helps readers make informed decisions about whether to read the book.

Writing a book review as an assignment benefits students in multiple ways. Firstly, it teaches them how to write a book review by developing their analytical skills as they evaluate the content, themes, and writing style .

Secondly, it enhances their ability to express opinions and provide constructive criticism. Additionally, book review assignments expose students to various publications and genres, broadening their knowledge.

Furthermore, these tasks foster essential skills for academic success, like critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information. By now, we’re sure you want to learn how to write a book review, so let’s look at the book review template first.

Table of Contents

Book Review Template

How to write a book review- a step by step guide.

Check out these 5 straightforward steps for composing the best book review.

Step 1: Planning Your Book Review – The Art of Getting Started

You’ve decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let’s take a step back and plan your approach. Since knowing how to write a book review that’s both informative and engaging is an art in itself.

Choosing Your Literature

First things first, pick the book you want to review. This might seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a book that genuinely interests you will make the review process more enjoyable and your insights more authentic.

Crafting the Master Plan

Next, create an  outline  that covers all the essential points you want to discuss in your review. This will serve as the roadmap for your writing journey.

The Devil is in the Details

As you read, note any information that stands out, whether it overwhelms, underwhelms, or simply intrigues you. Pay attention to:

• The characters and their development
• The plot and its intricacies
• Any themes, symbols, or motifs you find noteworthy

Remember to reserve a body paragraph for each point you want to discuss.

The Key Questions to Ponder

When planning your book review, consider the following questions:

• What’s the plot (if any)? Understanding the driving force behind the book will help you craft a more effective review.
• Is the plot interesting? Did the book hold your attention and keep you turning the pages?
• Are the writing techniques effective? Does the author’s style captivate you, making you want to read (or reread) the text?
• Are the characters or the information believable? Do the characters/plot/information feel real, and can you relate to them?
• Would you recommend the book to anyone? Consider if the book is worthy of being recommended, whether to impress someone or to support a point in a literature class.
• What could improve? Always keep an eye out for areas that could be improved. Providing constructive criticism can enhance the quality of literature.

Step 2 – Crafting the Perfect Introduction to Write a Book Review

In this second step of “how to write a book review,” we’re focusing on the art of creating a powerful opening that will hook your audience and set the stage for your analysis.

Identify Your Book and Author

Begin by mentioning the book you’ve chosen, including its  title  and the author’s name. This informs your readers and establishes the subject of your review.

Ponder the Title

Next, discuss the mental images or emotions the book’s title evokes in your mind . This helps your readers understand your initial feelings and expectations before diving into the book.

Judge the Book by Its Cover (Just a Little)

Take a moment to talk about the book’s cover. Did it intrigue you? Did it hint at what to expect from the story or the author’s writing style? Sharing your thoughts on the cover can offer a unique perspective on how the book presents itself to potential readers.

Present Your Thesis

Now it’s time to introduce your thesis. This statement should be a concise and insightful summary of your opinion of the book. For example:

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a captivating portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, class, and self-discovery with exceptional depth and authenticity.

Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the points or quotes you plan to discuss throughout your review.

Incorporating these elements into your introduction will create a strong foundation for your book review. Your readers will be eager to learn more about your thoughts and insights on the book, setting the stage for a compelling and thought-provoking analysis.

How to Write a Book Review: Step 3 – Building Brilliant Body Paragraphs

You’ve planned your review and written an attention-grabbing introduction. Now it’s time for the main event: crafting the body paragraphs of your book review. In this step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of constructing engaging and insightful body paragraphs that will keep your readers hooked.

Summarize Without Spoilers

Begin by summarizing a specific section of the book, not revealing any major plot twists or spoilers. Your goal is to give your readers a taste of the story without ruining surprises.

Support Your Viewpoint with Quotes

Next, choose three quotes from the book that support your viewpoint or opinion. These quotes should be relevant to the section you’re summarizing and help illustrate your thoughts on the book.

Analyze the Quotes

Write a summary of each quote in your own words, explaining how it made you feel or what it led you to think about the book or the author’s writing. This analysis should provide insight into your perspective and demonstrate your understanding of the text.

Structure Your Body Paragraphs

Dedicate one body paragraph to each quote, ensuring your writing is well-connected, coherent, and easy to understand.

For example:

• In  Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë writes, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” This powerful statement highlights Jane’s fierce independence and refusal to be trapped by societal expectations.
• In  Normal People , Sally Rooney explores the complexities of love and friendship when she writes, “It was culture as class performance, literature fetishized for its ability to take educated people on false emotional journeys.” This quote reveals the author’s astute observations on the role of culture and class in shaping personal relationships.
• In  Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë captures the tumultuous nature of love with the quote, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This poignant line emphasizes the deep, unbreakable bond between the story’s central characters.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create body paragraphs that are both captivating and insightful, enhancing your book review and providing your readers with a deeper understanding of the literary work. 

How to Write a Book Review: Step 4 – Crafting a Captivating Conclusion

You’ve navigated through planning, introductions, and body paragraphs with finesse. Now it’s time to wrap up your book review with a  conclusion that leaves a lasting impression . In this final step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of writing a memorable and persuasive conclusion.

Summarize Your Analysis

Begin by summarizing the key points you’ve presented in the body paragraphs. This helps to remind your readers of the insights and arguments you’ve shared throughout your review.

Offer Your Final Conclusion

Next, provide a conclusion that reflects your overall feelings about the book. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and persuade your readers to consider your perspective.

Address the Book’s Appeal

Now, answer the question: Is this book worth reading? Be clear about who would enjoy the book and who might not. Discuss the taste preferences and circumstances that make the book more appealing to some readers than others.

For example:  The Alchemist is a book that can enchant a young teen, but those who are already well-versed in classic literature might find it less engaging.

Be Subtle and Balanced

Avoid simply stating whether you “liked” or “disliked” the book. Instead, use nuanced language to convey your message. Highlight the pros and cons of reading the type of literature you’ve reviewed, offering a balanced perspective.

Bringing It All Together

By following these guidelines, you’ll craft a conclusion that leaves your readers with a clear understanding of your thoughts and opinions on the book. Your review will be a valuable resource for those considering whether to pick up the book, and your witty and insightful analysis will make your review a pleasure to read. So conquer the world of book reviews, one captivating conclusion at a time!

How to Write a Book Review: Step 5 – Rating the Book (Optional)

You’ve masterfully crafted your book review, from the introduction to the conclusion. But wait, there’s one more step you might consider before calling it a day: rating the book. In this optional step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the benefits and methods of assigning a rating to the book you’ve reviewed.

Why Rate the Book?

Sometimes, when writing a professional book review, it may not be appropriate to state whether you liked or disliked the book. In such cases, assigning a rating can be an effective way to get your message across without explicitly sharing your personal opinion.

How to Rate the Book

There are various rating systems you can use to evaluate the book, such as:

• A star rating (e.g., 1 to 5 stars)
• A numerical score (e.g., 1 to 10)
• A letter grade (e.g., A+ to F)

Choose a rating system that best suits your style and the format of your review. Be consistent in your rating criteria, considering writing quality, character development, plot, and overall enjoyment.

Tips for Rating the Book

Here are some tips for rating the book effectively:

• Be honest: Your rating should reflect your true feelings about the book. Don’t inflate or deflate your rating based on external factors, such as the book’s popularity or the author’s reputation.
• Be fair:Consider the book’s merits and shortcomings when rating. Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, recognize its strengths and acknowledge them in your rating.
• Be clear: Explain the rationale behind your rating so your readers understand the factors that influenced your evaluation.

Wrapping Up

By including a rating in your book review, you provide your readers with an additional insight into your thoughts on the book. While this step is optional, it can be a valuable tool for conveying your message subtly yet effectively. So, rate those books confidently, adding a touch of wit and wisdom to your book reviews.

Additional Tips on How to Write a Book Review: A Guide

In this segment, we’ll explore additional tips on how to write a book review. Get ready to captivate your readers and make your review a memorable one!

Hook ’em with an Intriguing Introduction

Keep your introduction precise and to the point. Readers have the attention span of a goldfish these days, so don’t let them swim away in boredom. Start with a bang and keep them hooked!

Embrace the World of Fiction

When learning how to write a book review, remember that reviewing fiction is often more engaging and effective. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific book, dive into the realm of fiction and select a novel that piques your interest.

Opinionated with Gusto

Don’t shy away from adding your own opinion to your review. A good book review always features the writer’s viewpoint and constructive criticism. After all, your readers want to know what  you  think!

Express Your Love (or Lack Thereof)

If you adored the book, let your readers know! Use phrases like “I’ll definitely return to this book again” to convey your enthusiasm. Conversely, be honest but respectful even if the book wasn’t your cup of tea.

Templates and Examples and Expert Help: Your Trusty Sidekicks

Feeling lost? You can always get help from formats, book review examples or online  college paper writing service  platforms. These trusty sidekicks will help you navigate the world of book reviews with ease. 

Be a Champion for New Writers and Literature

Remember to uplift new writers and pieces of literature. If you want to suggest improvements, do so kindly and constructively. There’s no need to be mean about anyone’s books – we’re all in this literary adventure together!

Criticize with Clarity, Not Cruelty

When adding criticism to your review, be clear but not mean. Remember, there’s a fine line between constructive criticism and cruelty. Tread lightly and keep your reader’s feelings in mind.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Resist the urge to compare one writer’s book with another. Every book holds its worth, and comparing them will only confuse your reader. Stick to discussing the book at hand, and let it shine in its own light.

Top 7 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing a book review can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you balance analysis, wit, and personal insights. However, some common mistakes can kill the brilliance of your review. 

In this section of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the top 7 blunders writers commit and how to steer clear of them, with a dash of  modernist literature  examples and tips for students writing book reviews as assignments.

Succumbing to the Lure of Plot Summaries

Mistake: Diving headfirst into a plot summary instead of dissecting the book’s themes, characters, and writing style.

Example: “The Bell Jar chronicles the life of a young woman who experiences a mental breakdown.”

How to Avoid: Delve into the book’s deeper aspects, such as its portrayal of mental health, societal expectations, and the author’s distinctive narrative voice. Offer thoughtful insights and reflections, making your review a treasure trove of analysis.

Unleashing the Spoiler Kraken

Mistake: Spilling major plot twists or the ending without providing a spoiler warning, effectively ruining the reading experience for potential readers.

Example: “In Metamorphosis, the protagonist’s transformation into a monstrous insect leads to…”

How to Avoid: Tread carefully when discussing significant plot developments, and consider using spoiler warnings. Focus on the impact of these plot points on the overall narrative, character growth, or thematic resonance.

Riding the Personal Bias Express

Mistake: Allowing personal bias to hijack the review without providing sufficient evidence or reasoning to support opinions.

Example: “I detest books about existential crises, so The Sun Also Rises was a snoozefest.”

How to Avoid: While personal opinions are valid, it’s crucial to back them up with specific examples from the book. Discuss aspects like writing style, character development, or pacing to support your evaluation and provide a more balanced perspective.

Wielding the Vague Language Saber

Mistake: Resorting to generic, vague language that fails to capture the nuances of the book and can come across as clichéd.

Example: “This book was mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Use precise and descriptive language to express your thoughts. Employ specific examples and quotations to highlight memorable scenes, the author’s unique writing style, or the impact of the book’s themes on readers.

Ignoring the Contextualization Compass

Mistake: Neglecting to provide context about the author, genre, or cultural relevance of the book, leaving readers without a proper frame of reference.

Example: “This book is dull and unoriginal.”

How to Avoid: Offer readers a broader understanding by discussing the author’s background, the genre conventions the book adheres to or subverts, and any societal or historical contexts that inform the narrative. This helps readers appreciate the book’s uniqueness and relevance.

Overindulging in Personal Preferences

Mistake: Letting personal preferences overshadow an objective assessment of the book’s merits.

Example: “I don’t like stream-of-consciousness writing, so this book is automatically bad.”

How to Avoid: Acknowledge personal preferences but strive to evaluate the book objectively. Focus on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, considering how well it achieves its goals within its genre or intended audience.

Forgetting the Target Audience Telescope

Mistake: Failing to mention the book’s target audience or who might enjoy it, leading to confusion for potential readers.

Example: “This book is great for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Contemplate the book’s intended audience, genre, and themes. Mention who might particularly enjoy the book based on these factors, whether it’s fans of a specific genre, readers interested in character-driven stories, or those seeking thought-provoking narratives.

By dodging these common pitfalls, writers can craft insightful, balanced, and engaging book reviews that help readers make informed decisions about their reading choices.

These tips are particularly beneficial for students writing book reviews as assignments, as they ensure a well-rounded and thoughtful analysis.!

Many students requested us to cover how to write a book review. This thorough guide is sure to help you. At Paperperk, professionals are dedicated to helping students find their balance. We understand the importance of good grades, so we offer the finest writing service , ensuring students stay ahead of the curve. So seek expert help because only Paperperk is your perfect solution!

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Blog – Posted on Friday, Mar 29

17 book review examples to help you write the perfect review.

It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?

As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites , in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!

In this post, we compiled 17 prototypical book review examples in multiple genres to help you figure out how to write the perfect review . If you want to jump straight to the examples, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, let’s first check out what makes up a good review.

Are you interested in becoming a book reviewer? We recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can earn money for writing reviews — and are guaranteed people will read your reviews! To register as a book reviewer, sign up here.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

Should you become a book reviewer?

Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!

What must a book review contain?

Like all works of art, no two book reviews will be identical. But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark. (However, this may vary depending on the platform on which you’re writing, as we’ll see later.)

In addition, all reviews share some universal elements, as shown in our book review templates . These include:

• A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book. 
• A book review will offer an evaluation of the work. 
• A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience. 

If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache. This will differ from platform to platform, of course. A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.

Keeping that in mind, let’s proceed to some book review examples to put all of this in action.

How much of a book nerd are you, really?

Find out here, once and for all. Takes 30 seconds!

Book review examples for fiction books

Since story is king in the world of fiction, it probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that a book review for a novel will concentrate on how well the story was told .

That said, book reviews in all genres follow the same basic formula that we discussed earlier. In these examples, you’ll be able to see how book reviewers on different platforms expertly intertwine the plot summary and their personal opinions of the book to produce a clear, informative, and concise review.

Note: Some of the book review examples run very long. If a book review is truncated in this post, we’ve indicated by including a […] at the end, but you can always read the entire review if you click on the link provided.

Examples of literary fiction book reviews

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man :

An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.

His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an "invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel, is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity and power.

This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his style. Watch it.

Lyndsey reviews George Orwell’s 1984 on Goodreads:

YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good." Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.

This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.

I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully. […]

The New York Times reviews Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry :

Three-quarters of the way through Lisa Halliday’s debut novel, “Asymmetry,” a British foreign correspondent named Alistair is spending Christmas on a compound outside of Baghdad. His fellow revelers include cameramen, defense contractors, United Nations employees and aid workers. Someone’s mother has FedExed a HoneyBaked ham from Maine; people are smoking by the swimming pool. It is 2003, just days after Saddam Hussein’s capture, and though the mood is optimistic, Alistair is worrying aloud about the ethics of his chosen profession, wondering if reporting on violence doesn’t indirectly abet violence and questioning why he’d rather be in a combat zone than reading a picture book to his son. But every time he returns to London, he begins to “spin out.” He can’t go home. “You observe what people do with their freedom — what they don’t do — and it’s impossible not to judge them for it,” he says.

The line, embedded unceremoniously in the middle of a page-long paragraph, doubles, like so many others in “Asymmetry,” as literary criticism. Halliday’s novel is so strange and startlingly smart that its mere existence seems like commentary on the state of fiction. One finishes “Asymmetry” for the first or second (or like this reader, third) time and is left wondering what other writers are not doing with their freedom — and, like Alistair, judging them for it.

Despite its title, “Asymmetry” comprises two seemingly unrelated sections of equal length, appended by a slim and quietly shocking coda. Halliday’s prose is clean and lean, almost reportorial in the style of W. G. Sebald, and like the murmurings of a shy person at a cocktail party, often comic only in single clauses. It’s a first novel that reads like the work of an author who has published many books over many years. […]

Emily W. Thompson reviews Michael Doane's The Crossing on Reedsy Discovery :

In Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl.

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.

As he crosses the country, The Narrator connects with several unique personalities whose experiences and views deeply impact his own. Duke, the complicated cowboy and drifter, who opens The Narrator’s eyes to a larger world. Zooey, the waitress in Colorado who opens his heart and reminds him that love can be found in this big world. And Rosie, The Narrator’s sweet landlady in Portland, who helps piece him back together both physically and emotionally.

This supporting cast of characters is excellent. Duke, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. He’s a throwback to another time, a man without a cell phone who reads Sartre and sleeps under the stars. Yet he’s also a grifter with a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude that harms those around him. It’s fascinating to watch The Narrator wrestle with Duke’s behavior, trying to determine which to model and which to discard.

Doane creates a relatable protagonist in The Narrator, whose personal growth doesn’t erase his faults. His willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable, and he’s prescient enough to recognize the jealousy of those who cannot or will not take the leap. His encounters with new foods, places, and people broaden his horizons. Yet his immaturity and selfishness persist. He tells Rosie she’s been a good mother to him but chooses to ignore the continuing concern from his own parents as he effectively disappears from his old life.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

The Book Smugglers review Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls :

I am still dipping my toes into the literally fiction pool, finding what works for me and what doesn’t. Books like The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray are definitely my cup of tea.

Althea and Proctor Cochran had been pillars of their economically disadvantaged community for years – with their local restaurant/small market and their charity drives. Until they are found guilty of fraud for stealing and keeping most of the money they raised and sent to jail. Now disgraced, their entire family is suffering the consequences, specially their twin teenage daughters Baby Vi and Kim.  To complicate matters even more: Kim was actually the one to call the police on her parents after yet another fight with her mother. […]

Examples of children’s and YA fiction book reviews

The Book Hookup reviews Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give :

♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle the voice of a movement like Black Lives Matter, but I do know that Thomas did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion, The Hate U Give is a crucially important portrayal of the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly many) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk in a POC’s shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start.

In Angie Thomas’s debut novel, Starr Carter bursts on to the YA scene with both heart-wrecking and heartwarming sincerity. This author is definitely one to watch.

♥ Review: The hype around this book has been unquestionable and, admittedly, that made me both eager to get my hands on it and terrified to read it. I mean, what if I was to be the one person that didn’t love it as much as others? (That seems silly now because of how truly mesmerizing THUG was in the most heartbreakingly realistic way.) However, with the relevancy of its summary in regards to the unjust predicaments POC currently face in the US, I knew this one was a must-read, so I was ready to set my fears aside and dive in. That said, I had an altogether more personal, ulterior motive for wanting to read this book. […]

The New York Times reviews Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood :

Alice Crewe (a last name she’s chosen for herself) is a fairy tale legacy: the granddaughter of Althea Proserpine, author of a collection of dark-as-night fairy tales called “Tales From the Hinterland.” The book has a cult following, and though Alice has never met her grandmother, she’s learned a little about her through internet research. She hasn’t read the stories, because her mother, Ella Proserpine, forbids it.

Alice and Ella have moved from place to place in an attempt to avoid the “bad luck” that seems to follow them. Weird things have happened. As a child, Alice was kidnapped by a man who took her on a road trip to find her grandmother; he was stopped by the police before they did so. When at 17 she sees that man again, unchanged despite the years, Alice panics. Then Ella goes missing, and Alice turns to Ellery Finch, a schoolmate who’s an Althea Proserpine superfan, for help in tracking down her mother. Not only has Finch read every fairy tale in the collection, but handily, he remembers them, sharing them with Alice as they journey to the mysterious Hazel Wood, the estate of her now-dead grandmother, where they hope to find Ella.

“The Hazel Wood” starts out strange and gets stranger, in the best way possible. (The fairy stories Finch relays, which Albert includes as their own chapters, are as creepy and evocative as you’d hope.) Albert seamlessly combines contemporary realism with fantasy, blurring the edges in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is false, where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a very good book. It’s a captivating debut. […]

James reviews Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon on Goodreads:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of the books that followers of my blog voted as a must-read for our Children's Book August 2018 Readathon. Come check it out and join the next few weeks!

This picture book was such a delight. I hadn't remembered reading it when I was a child, but it might have been read to me... either way, it was like a whole new experience! It's always so difficult to convince a child to fall asleep at night. I don't have kids, but I do have a 5-month-old puppy who whines for 5 minutes every night when he goes in his cage/crate (hopefully he'll be fully housebroken soon so he can roam around when he wants). I can only imagine! I babysat a lot as a teenager and I have tons of younger cousins, nieces, and nephews, so I've been through it before, too. This was a believable experience, and it really helps show kids how to relax and just let go when it's time to sleep.

The bunny's are adorable. The rhymes are exquisite. I found it pretty fun, but possibly a little dated given many of those things aren't normal routines anymore. But the lessons to take from it are still powerful. Loved it! I want to sample some more books by this fine author and her illustrators.

Publishers Weekly reviews Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine :

This funny, thoroughly accomplished debut opens with two words: “I’m moving.” They’re spoken by the title character while she swoons across her family’s ottoman, and because Geraldine is a giraffe, her full-on melancholy mode is quite a spectacle. But while Geraldine may be a drama queen (even her mother says so), it won’t take readers long to warm up to her. The move takes Geraldine from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. “Even my voice tries to hide,” she says, in the book’s most poignant moment. “It’s gotten quiet and whispery.” Then she meets Cassie, who, though human, is also an outlier (“I’m that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food”), and things begin to look up.

Lilly’s watercolor-and-ink drawings are as vividly comic and emotionally astute as her writing; just when readers think there are no more ways for Geraldine to contort her long neck, this highly promising talent comes up with something new.

Examples of genre fiction book reviews

Karlyn P reviews Nora Roberts’ Dark Witch , a paranormal romance novel , on Goodreads:

4 stars. Great world-building, weak romance, but still worth the read.

I hesitate to describe this book as a 'romance' novel simply because the book spent little time actually exploring the romance between Iona and Boyle. Sure, there IS a romance in this novel. Sprinkled throughout the book are a few scenes where Iona and Boyle meet, chat, wink at each, flirt some more, sleep together, have a misunderstanding, make up, and then profess their undying love. Very formulaic stuff, and all woven around the more important parts of this book.

The meat of this book is far more focused on the story of the Dark witch and her magically-gifted descendants living in Ireland. Despite being weak on the romance, I really enjoyed it. I think the book is probably better for it, because the romance itself was pretty lackluster stuff.

I absolutely plan to stick with this series as I enjoyed the world building, loved the Ireland setting, and was intrigued by all of the secondary characters. However, If you read Nora Roberts strictly for the romance scenes, this one might disappoint. But if you enjoy a solid background story with some dark magic and prophesies, you might enjoy it as much as I did.

I listened to this one on audio, and felt the narration was excellent.

Emily May reviews R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy Wars , an epic fantasy novel , on Goodreads:

“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”

Holy hell, what did I just read??

➽ A fantasy military school

➽ A rich world based on modern Chinese history

➽ Shamans and gods

➽ Detailed characterization leading to unforgettable characters

➽ Adorable, opium-smoking mentors

That's a basic list, but this book is all of that and SO MUCH MORE. I know 100% that The Poppy War will be one of my best reads of 2018.

Isn't it just so great when you find one of those books that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat for every horrific, nail-biting moment of it? This is one of those books for me. And I must issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Proceed with caution (or not at all) if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of war, drug use and addiction, genocide, racism, sexism, ableism, self-harm, torture, and rape (off-page but extremely horrific).

Because, despite the fairly innocuous first 200 pages, the title speaks the truth: this is a book about war. All of its horrors and atrocities. It is not sugar-coated, and it is often graphic. The "poppy" aspect refers to opium, which is a big part of this book. It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking.

Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry’s Freefall , a crime novel:

In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it’s a more subtle process, and that’s OK too. So where does Freefall fit into the sliding scale?

In truth, it’s not clear. This is a novel with a thrilling concept at its core. A woman survives plane crash, then runs for her life. However, it is the subtleties at play that will draw you in like a spider beckoning to an unwitting fly.

Like the heroine in Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, Allison is lucky to be alive. She was the only passenger in a private plane, belonging to her fiancé, Ben, who was piloting the expensive aircraft, when it came down in woodlands in the Colorado Rockies. Ally is also the only survivor, but rather than sitting back and waiting for rescue, she is soon pulling together items that may help her survive a little longer – first aid kit, energy bars, warm clothes, trainers – before fleeing the scene. If you’re hearing the faint sound of alarm bells ringing, get used to it. There’s much, much more to learn about Ally before this tale is over.

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One , a science-fiction novel :

Video-game players embrace the quest of a lifetime in a virtual world; screenwriter Cline’s first novel is old wine in new bottles.

The real world, in 2045, is the usual dystopian horror story. So who can blame Wade, our narrator, if he spends most of his time in a virtual world? The 18-year-old, orphaned at 11, has no friends in his vertical trailer park in Oklahoma City, while the OASIS has captivating bells and whistles, and it’s free. Its creator, the legendary billionaire James Halliday, left a curious will. He had devised an elaborate online game, a hunt for a hidden Easter egg. The finder would inherit his estate. Old-fashioned riddles lead to three keys and three gates. Wade, or rather his avatar Parzival, is the first gunter (egg-hunter) to win the Copper Key, first of three.

Halliday was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s, primarily the arcade games, so the novel is as much retro as futurist. Parzival’s great strength is that he has absorbed all Halliday’s obsessions; he knows by heart three essential movies, crossing the line from geek to freak. His most formidable competitors are the Sixers, contract gunters working for the evil conglomerate IOI, whose goal is to acquire the OASIS. Cline’s narrative is straightforward but loaded with exposition. It takes a while to reach a scene that crackles with excitement: the meeting between Parzival (now world famous as the lead contender) and Sorrento, the head of IOI. The latter tries to recruit Parzival; when he fails, he issues and executes a death threat. Wade’s trailer is demolished, his relatives killed; luckily Wade was not at home. Too bad this is the dramatic high point. Parzival threads his way between more ’80s games and movies to gain the other keys; it’s clever but not exciting. Even a romance with another avatar and the ultimate “epic throwdown” fail to stir the blood.

Too much puzzle-solving, not enough suspense.

Book review examples for non-fiction books

Nonfiction books are generally written to inform readers about a certain topic. As such, the focus of a nonfiction book review will be on the clarity and effectiveness of this communication . In carrying this out, a book review may analyze the author’s source materials and assess the thesis in order to determine whether or not the book meets expectations.

Again, we’ve included abbreviated versions of long reviews here, so feel free to click on the link to read the entire piece!

The Washington Post reviews David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon :

The arc of David Grann’s career reminds one of a software whiz-kid or a latest-thing talk-show host — certainly not an investigative reporter, even if he is one of the best in the business. The newly released movie of his first book, “The Lost City of Z,” is generating all kinds of Oscar talk, and now comes the release of his second book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film rights to which have already been sold for $5 million in what one industry journal called the “biggest and wildest book rights auction in memory.”

Grann deserves the attention. He’s canny about the stories he chases, he’s willing to go anywhere to chase them, and he’s a maestro in his ability to parcel out information at just the right clip: a hint here, a shading of meaning there, a smartly paced buildup of multiple possibilities followed by an inevitable reversal of readerly expectations or, in some cases, by a thrilling and dislocating pull of the entire narrative rug.

All of these strengths are on display in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Around the turn of the 20th century, oil was discovered underneath Osage lands in the Oklahoma Territory, lands that were soon to become part of the state of Oklahoma. Through foresight and legal maneuvering, the Osage found a way to permanently attach that oil to themselves and shield it from the prying hands of white interlopers; this mechanism was known as “headrights,” which forbade the outright sale of oil rights and granted each full member of the tribe — and, supposedly, no one else — a share in the proceeds from any lease arrangement. For a while, the fail-safes did their job, and the Osage got rich — diamond-ring and chauffeured-car and imported-French-fashion rich — following which quite a large group of white men started to work like devils to separate the Osage from their money. And soon enough, and predictably enough, this work involved murder. Here in Jazz Age America’s most isolated of locales, dozens or even hundreds of Osage in possession of great fortunes — and of the potential for even greater fortunes in the future — were dispatched by poison, by gunshot and by dynamite. […]

Stacked Books reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers :

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Friends and co-workers tell me that his subjects are interesting and his writing style is easy to follow without talking down to the reader. I wasn’t disappointed with Outliers. In it, Gladwell tackles the subject of success – how people obtain it and what contributes to extraordinary success as opposed to everyday success.

The thesis – that our success depends much more on circumstances out of our control than any effort we put forth – isn’t exactly revolutionary. Most of us know it to be true. However, I don’t think I’m lying when I say that most of us also believe that we if we just try that much harder and develop our talent that much further, it will be enough to become wildly successful, despite bad or just mediocre beginnings. Not so, says Gladwell.

Most of the evidence Gladwell gives us is anecdotal, which is my favorite kind to read. I can’t really speak to how scientifically valid it is, but it sure makes for engrossing listening. For example, did you know that successful hockey players are almost all born in January, February, or March? Kids born during these months are older than the others kids when they start playing in the youth leagues, which means they’re already better at the game (because they’re bigger). Thus, they get more play time, which means their skill increases at a faster rate, and it compounds as time goes by. Within a few years, they’re much, much better than the kids born just a few months later in the year. Basically, these kids’ birthdates are a huge factor in their success as adults – and it’s nothing they can do anything about. If anyone could make hockey interesting to a Texan who only grudgingly admits the sport even exists, it’s Gladwell. […]

Quill and Quire reviews Rick Prashaw’s Soar, Adam, Soar :

Ten years ago, I read a book called Almost Perfect. The young-adult novel by Brian Katcher won some awards and was held up as a powerful, nuanced portrayal of a young trans person. But the reality did not live up to the book’s billing. Instead, it turned out to be a one-dimensional and highly fetishized portrait of a trans person’s life, one that was nevertheless repeatedly dubbed “realistic” and “affecting” by non-transgender readers possessing only a vague, mass-market understanding of trans experiences.

In the intervening decade, trans narratives have emerged further into the literary spotlight, but those authored by trans people ourselves – and by trans men in particular – have seemed to fall under the shadow of cisgender sensationalized imaginings. Two current Canadian releases – Soar, Adam, Soar and This One Looks Like a Boy – provide a pointed object lesson into why trans-authored work about transgender experiences remains critical.

To be fair, Soar, Adam, Soar isn’t just a story about a trans man. It’s also a story about epilepsy, the medical establishment, and coming of age as seen through a grieving father’s eyes. Adam, Prashaw’s trans son, died unexpectedly at age 22. Woven through the elder Prashaw’s narrative are excerpts from Adam’s social media posts, giving us glimpses into the young man’s interior life as he traverses his late teens and early 20s. […]

Book Geeks reviews Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love :

WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5

SUBJECT: 4/5

CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5

RELEVANCE: 3.5/5

ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

“Eat Pray Love” is so popular that it is almost impossible to not read it. Having felt ashamed many times on my not having read this book, I quietly ordered the book (before I saw the movie) from amazon.in and sat down to read it. I don’t remember what I expected it to be – maybe more like a chick lit thing but it turned out quite different. The book is a real story and is a short journal from the time when its writer went travelling to three different countries in pursuit of three different things – Italy (Pleasure), India (Spirituality), Bali (Balance) and this is what corresponds to the book’s name – EAT (in Italy), PRAY (in India) and LOVE (in Bali, Indonesia). These are also the three Is – ITALY, INDIA, INDONESIA.

Though she had everything a middle-aged American woman can aspire for – MONEY, CAREER, FRIENDS, HUSBAND; Elizabeth was not happy in her life, she wasn’t happy in her marriage. Having suffered a terrible divorce and terrible breakup soon after, Elizabeth was shattered. She didn’t know where to go and what to do – all she knew was that she wanted to run away. So she set out on a weird adventure – she will go to three countries in a year and see if she can find out what she was looking for in life. This book is about that life changing journey that she takes for one whole year. […]

Emily May reviews Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Goodreads:

Look, I'm not a happy crier. I might cry at songs about leaving and missing someone; I might cry at books where things don't work out; I might cry at movies where someone dies. I've just never really understood why people get all choked up over happy, inspirational things. But Michelle Obama's kindness and empathy changed that. This book had me in tears for all the right reasons.

This is not really a book about politics, though political experiences obviously do come into it. It's a shame that some will dismiss this book because of a difference in political opinion, when it is really about a woman's life. About growing up poor and black on the South Side of Chicago; about getting married and struggling to maintain that marriage; about motherhood; about being thrown into an amazing and terrifying position.

I hate words like "inspirational" because they've become so overdone and cheesy, but I just have to say it-- Michelle Obama is an inspiration. I had the privilege of seeing her speak at The Forum in Inglewood, and she is one of the warmest, funniest, smartest, down-to-earth people I have ever seen in this world.

And yes, I know we present what we want the world to see, but I truly do think it's genuine. I think she is someone who really cares about people - especially kids - and wants to give them better lives and opportunities.

She's obviously intelligent, but she also doesn't gussy up her words. She talks straight, with an openness and honesty rarely seen. She's been one of the most powerful women in the world, she's been a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, she's had her own successful career, and yet she has remained throughout that same girl - Michelle Robinson - from a working class family in Chicago.

I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book.

Hopefully, this post has given you a better idea of how to write a book review. You might be wondering how to put all of this knowledge into action now! Many book reviewers start out by setting up a book blog. If you don’t have time to research the intricacies of HTML, check out Reedsy Discovery — where you can read indie books for free and review them without going through the hassle of creating a blog. To register as a book reviewer , go here .

And if you’d like to see even more book review examples, simply go to this directory of book review blogs and click on any one of them to see a wealth of good book reviews. Beyond that, it's up to you to pick up a book and pen — and start reviewing!

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Book reviews Structure and language

Book reviews are sometimes used on undergraduate courses, and frequently appear in academic journals. This page considers what a book review is , how to structure one , and provides some language for writing a book review .

What is a book review?

A book review describes and critically evaluates a (usually recent) book. Like any kind of review, for example a review of a film or television programme, it will offer a description of the main points, consider the strengths and weaknesses, and give an overall evaluation, in order to allow the reader to decide whether or not it will be of interest to them and therefore a good investment of their time and money. Book reviews are sometimes used as assignments on undergraduate courses, and are a common component of academic journals. They are typically short pieces of work, around 500-750 words in length. They may sometimes be shorter or longer, but will rarely exceed 1000 words. A book review should not be confused with a book report, which is a relatively short and purely descriptive assignment, common in high school (rather than university) courses.

Structure of book reviews

A book review will usually begin with bibliographic information . This means details such as the name of the book, the name(s) of the author(s), and the publisher. Other details may be helpful, for example date and place of publication, format, edition, number of pages, price and ISBN.

The text of the review should begin with an introduction . As the review will be fairly brief, it is common to begin with an anecdote or quotation which captures the main idea of the book. The introduction will identify the author and title, specify the type of book, and state the book's subject matter. Further background detail to place the book in context may be given, for example previous work by the author in the same field, prior work by other writers in the same field, or information about the book series (if the book is part of a series). The thesis of the book, i.e. its specific contribution, may also be given, along with your own thesis, i.e. your initial appraisal of the work and key observations.

The main body of the review will provide description and critical evaluation of the text. These may be dealt with separately, with description first and evaluation next, or in combination. Although the evaluation is the more important part, the description may still take up half or two thirds of the content of the main body, in order to lay the foundation for the evaluation.

The description of the text will summarise the book. Evidence from the book, such as quotations, may be used to support the points. This part might give information on the following areas, which can later be used as criteria for evaluating the book:

• content of the book (possibly by chapter-by-chapter);
• the author's purpose;
• the intended audience;
• the author's arguments and themes;
• sources used in the book;
• how the book is organised or laid out.

The critical evaluation will present your reaction to the book. You might compare it to other (similar) books in the field, and consider its relative strengths and weaknesses. In this part you may respond to the areas above by considering key questions, as follows, to further highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the book.

• Content of the book . Is everything included? Is there too much information? Is anything essential left out?
• The author's purpose . Has the author succeeded in their purpose?
• The intended audience . Is the book appropriate for the intended audience? Why (not)? Who else might benefit from reading it?
• The author's arguments and themes . How valid or effective are the arguments and themes? Do you agree with the author's opinions? Why (not)?
• Sources used in the book . How strong are the sources? Are there enough?
• How the book is organised or laid out . Is it organised in a logical or useful way? Are there any problems? Is the layout clear and easy to use?

Finally, there should be a conclusion to the book review. This will sum up your thoughts on the book. This means summarising the book's strengths and weaknesses, indicating whether this is a useful book, whether it will make a lasting contribution to its field, whether you recommend it, and who will benefit from reading it.

Note that the above is the structure for a book review for a non-fiction work, which is the most common kind of review for university study. For a work of fiction, a similar approach can be used, though in place of the points for argument and sources, you would consider setting, plot, characters, use of language and voice when describing the book, and consider how effective each of these elements are when evaluating it.

Language for book reviews

It is important is to make sure that your views are distinct from the author's. This can be done by using the author's name, or referring to 'The author' or 'The book'.

The following phrases might be useful for summarising the contents of the book.

• The book is divided into the following parts.
• This text is divided into four main chapters focusing on...
• Section one of the book details...
• The opening chapter focuses on...
• The second section explores...
• Chapter three...
• The next chapter...
• The final chapter...

The following phrases can be used to highlight weaknesses.

• The book would benefit from...
• A nice addition to the book would be...
• The weakest area of the book is...
• The only/main/greatest weakness/drawback of the book is...

The following phrases can be used to indicate a suitable audience for the book.

• The book should appeal to those who...
• This book is applicable to...
• It would be an excellent resource for...
• The book is particularly interesting for...
• The book will be of interest to...
• This book is highly recommended to...
• ... are likely to find the book useful.
• ... would find it valuable.

The following adjectives can be used to give a positive review (negatives of these can be used for a negative review).

• informative
• interesting
• well-organised
• substantial
• comprehensive

Example review

An example book review, as well as exercises for book reviews, can be found in the book Academic Writing Genres: Essays, Reports & Other Genres , part of the EAP Foundation series of books. You can use the form below to download a sample of the book .

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Like the website? Try the books. Enter your email to receive a free sample from Academic Writing Genres .

Below is a checklist for book reviews. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Next section

Find out more about research proposals in the next section.

Previous section

Go back to the previous section about literature reviews .

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 27 December 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Home » Writing » How to Write a Good Book Review

Tips for Writing a Good Book Review 

Now that you’ve prepped what you want to say, how you want to say it, and who you want to say it to, it’s time to start writing. Below we’ve gathered our favorite tips to help you write a good book review. Wait… make that a GREAT book review.

1. Include general information

Make sure to include all the relevant book information for your audience , including the title, author, genre, and publisher in your review. While not necessary, it is also helpful to include the number of pages, list price, and ISBN number.

2. Provide a brief plot summary

After the hook, you can then move on to the brief plot summary. This summary shouldn’t be too long, but it can be a paragraph that explains the basic plot so that the reader better understands if it’s a topic of interest. One pitfall to avoid is to give away spoilers in the plot summary. Don’t give away any plot twists, and err on the side of caution if you feel that the information is too much. For example, tell the reader that the plot has unexpected twists rather than explain any surprises in the summary.

3. Focus on the book, not the author

Keep in mind that your main job as a reviewer is to share your opinion on the book, not to critique the author. Keep the focus on the story. Avoid referencing pitfalls in any of the author’s past books or what you about them as a writer. You can provide a brief introduction to the story mentioning the author and past books, but don’t spend too much time focused on the author. The review should focus on the content of the book and its characters.

4. Be clear and specific

It is not enough to just say that you did or didn’t like the book. Let your readers know why. Make your thoughts clear as early as possible and explain the reasons why you liked or disliked specific storyline components and characters. Be specific about what you loved about the writing, what drew you to the characters, or what left you feeling lukewarm about the plot. You don’t need to explain every aspect of the book, but the reader should walk away with a sense that they understand the basic plot and determine from the review if they want to read the book for themselves.

5. Remain subjective

Not all book reviews have to be glowing, but they should be subjective. Rather than just saying you didn’t like something, support it by letting your readers know why. We all gravitate towards different things, so what may not appeal to you may appeal to someone else. If you remain subjective, then you can explain to the reader the basic story and let them decide for themselves. The review can include your likes and dislikes, but they should focus on what you felt the story did well and what parts of the story you didn’t like. However, the main focus of the review should be to explain the story so that readers can determine if they want to read the book further.

6. Avoid spoilers

We know it can be tempting, but do your best not to let any spoilers slip in your book review. Have you ever been excited to see the latest blockbuster hit (or watch the season cliffhanger to your favorite TV show) and then someone spoils the end before you even have time to watch? That is exactly what you don’t want to do to your reader. As you explain the book in your summary, ask yourself if what you are explaining ruins any surprises or twists. As you write the review, keep it vague. For example, explain that there is a major plot twist but don’t go into the specifics.

7. Be transparent

Always share if you received an incentive to review the book, got an advance copy, or have any connection to the author. Your readers will appreciate your honesty. Plus, it helps you avoid the negative impact on your credibility if they find out later. Getting paid for a review is a perfectly reasonable excuse to read a book, but it does allow readers to determine if you’re being unbiased. By specifying if you have any relationship with the author, the reader can better trust your opinion, even if they feel you’re being more biased.

8. Keep it short

While book reviews can be any length, it is always best to keep it short and succinct. Pull in your reader with a strong first sentence that sets the tone of the review and end with your recommendation. Remember, most people start to scan when something gets too long. A book review is a short summary, so writing a novel-length review loses reader interests. Keeping it short will ensure that your readers will dive into your likes and dislikes and use your reviews to determine if they have an interest in the books.

9. Proofread before posting

The quickest way to lose credibility is to post a review filled with typos. Make sure to give your final book review a thorough read before posting it and double check the spelling of any character names or places that you mention. Even better, ask someone else to read it over. It is always good to have a fresh pair of eyes proof to catch any typos. If you don’t have a family or friend who will help with proofreader, you can join a writing community where members offer test reads and proofreading. Make sure that you don’t post the review publicly, because search engines will index it and the review will no longer be unique content.

Also, keep in mind that you will want to write different book reviews for different sites. Don’t just copy and paste the same review. Google search engines scan for duplicate content and if flagged, your review won’t appear.

10. Add a hook

The hook is one or two sentences that grab the reader and convince them to keep going. It should be interesting, but it should also stick with the topic without misleading readers. The hook could be a simple statement that explains the main character of the book, or it could ask a question that resonates with the reader. Don’t make the hook too sensational to avoid sounding like a sales pitch. It should simply provide an introduction that grabs reader interests.

11. Explain what you liked about the book

Writing your own book review is a way to explain what you liked about it, and what you liked could be of interest to another reader. This section allows you to personalize the review. You can explain what you liked about the characters, who was your favorite character, what part of the book was your favorite, and if the book invoked any personal feelings (e.g., you laughed or cried).

12. Explain what you disliked about the book

You likely have something that you disliked about the book, and this section explains what you wish would have been different about the storyline or the characters. Just like the other sections, make sure that you do not reveal too much and give away important plot lines that could be considered spoilers for the rest of the story.

13. Include brief quotes as examples

Brief quotes provide readers with better insight into characters. Using quotes from characters will help the reader follow the plot summary and determine if the characters are people they can relate to. Avoid using excessively long quotes. Since the reader hasn’t read the book, a long quote could ruin plot twists or overpower the review.

14. Reference similar books

A great way to introduce readers to a specific book is to compare your book review with other books. For example, you can explain to the reader that they will like the current book you’re reviewing if they like another similar book. Alternatively, you can also compare characters between books to provide better insight into the story’s characters and the dynamic between individual characters.

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Independent Book Review

A Celebration of Indie Press and Self-Published Books

How to Write a Great Book Review

"How to Write a Great Book Review" by Joe Walters is a writer's resource for brainstorming, planning, drafting, and editing the best book reviews. Check it out for tips & tricks from our book review editor.

by Joe Walters

There are so many ways to write a great book review.

But it all starts with careful and attentive reading. 

Read every word on every page, and if you don’t understand something, read it again. Back in college, I read things I didn’t understand but continued moving forward because that’s what I did in high school, in grade school, in class all the time. You’re taught to use context clues and follow along.

You have my permission to stop doing that. (Tell your teacher to blame me).

If you don’t understand something, read it again. If you still don’t understand it, try writing down what happens in each and every scene. A scene could be a full chapter, a paragraph, or a few paragraphs. I had to do this with Le Morte D’Arthur when I was in school, and I actually ended up loving it by the end, regardless of the hard to decipher Olde English spellings.

Just because you’re a slow reader doesn’t mean you’re a bad one.

Before you learn how to write great book reviews, understand this…

People write book reviews for different reasons. Sometimes they want to publish their writing in a publication (like a newspaper, magazine, or Independent Book Review ). Sometimes they have to write a book review for school. Sometimes they want to build a platform on Goodreads, or they want to support indie authors by leaving the review on Amazon.

If you’re writing a book review for school, my first recommendation is to combine this treasure trove of a blog post with the specifics of what your teacher is asking you to do on their rubric. They may want analytical points that go beyond the 50% marker because they don’t care for spoilers, while reviewing for publication might want it to be spoiler-free.

The kinds of reviews I’m talking about? These would put you in a good position to publish your book reviews on blogs, magazines, and platforms like Goodreads or Amazon .

Your first big question :

Should you take notes while you read? 

Maybe? Probably? It’s up to you in the end, but I’d recommend it, especially if you’re just starting out.

If you take notes while you go, you can not only pinpoint comments in specific locations in the book regarding how you’re feeling about it (so that you can write about it later), you can also highlight some of your favorite quotes in the book. 

Adding quotes directly from the text can add some intrigue (and length) to your book review. It’s one thing to hear that the book has great prose; it’s another to see it for yourself.

After reading the book

Sleep on it. Not literally (unless it’s comfy, I guess?). 

The main point here is to just give yourself some time to stew on it. How is it sitting with you now that you’ve read the ending? Now that you understand what the author really wanted to do? 

Then, imagine a scenario where you are talking to another reader about it. 

How would you start the conversation? How would you set the story up so that they understand the characters and the plotline and where it goes from there?

The good news is that you’re not just babbling to your friend about it (although that’s cool too). Unlike a conversation, with a review, you will have time to revise and edit instead of just spouting out all the things you have to say.

But still, it’s good practice. You will figure out what is most important to talk about simply by imagining this friend’s perspective— wait, did I tell them about the revolt yet? The love interest? They’re gonna need to know who the hell Puck is before I get to why it’s so good.

How do you write great book reviews without reading some examples first? You can’t. So check these out before you go any further: Book Review: Rock Gods & Messy Monsters and Book Review: The Devil Pulls the Strings .

How to write a first draft of a great book review:  .

“Some people call it verbal diarrhea. I just call it word shit.” – Wanderlust (2012)

Regardless of what you call it, let the words spill out. Write about what happens in the book, how you feel about it, and why. Just write.

If you start out with the skeleton of a structure, it could be even easier to draft. Here’s what we share with our reviewers for our 400+ word reviews:

• “An evocative psychological thriller that explores the influence of trauma on the human mind and soul” – Robyn-Lee Samuels, Book Review: A Cabin in the Woods
• “A tender, inventive memoir that grapples with the unexpected loss of a child” – Tucker Lieberman, Book Review: An Ambiguous Grief
• “The laugh-out-loud antics of three unlikely pilgrims headline this poignantly told humorous novel.” – Frank Pizzoli, Book Review: The Jesus Nut
• Part 1: Introduce the characters & goals of the book early on.
• Part 2: Write an enticing summary up until about the 50% marker
• Part 3: How the author/book succeeded. Be specific & use examples. If you said that it has great characters, tell me who they are and what’s great about them.
• Part 4: What you did not like about the novel (if applicable). If not applicable, use this paragraph to indicate another thing that the author/book did well.
• Part 5: Closing comments, recommendation, and overall feeling about the novel.

Self-editing your book review

You’re not done yet. I’m sure you’ve already written a great book review, and everyone else in the world would applaud you for it, but—wait, actually, no.

No you didn’t. Not yet.

I have not read it obviously, but I feel pretty confident in saying your first draft can be improved upon. Please read your review from the top to the bottom, asking yourself questions like:

• Did I write in present tense to describe the happenings in the plot?
• Did I italicize the book title but use quotation marks for stories or essays within the book?
• Does this sentence communicate exactly what I am trying to say in as few words as possible? Are there filler words that could be removed without impacting the clarity of the sentence?
• Do I avoid cliche and speak honestly and originally about this book?
• Do I tell the story in a linear fashion up until about the 50% marker?
• Did I accidentally include any spoilers?
• Are the words I use to praise the book really saying anything? Avoid empty words and phrases like “interesting” and “relatable”
• Do I have a good mix of summary, praise, and (if applicable) criticism?
• If I added a quote from within the book, would it help make my case or entice readers into buying it?
• Do I use evidence to back up why I am saying this character is so great? Evidence for why the pacing worked?
• How’s my last line? Is it as catchy and clear as it could be? Am I leaving the reader with some of my best work?

What I love about great book reviews

They don’t always follow the rules.

I edit book reviews for a living, and I share tips like the ones I’ve shared here with my reviewers, but sometimes, they write reviews that look far different from my guided outline and are about as wonderful as I could ask for. They are clear, they are honest, they are poetic, they are so many things at once. 

Reviewing is an art form. It’s important to know the foundations of a great book review, but like great art, sometimes it takes writers stepping out of boundaries to really do something amazing.

Here are a couple examples of reviews that threw my outline out the window but absolutely nailed the execution: Book Review: Obit and Book Review: Anthropica .

Thanks for checking out our tips for how to write a great book review! If you would like to apply to write for IBR, fill out the submission form on this page .

About the Author

Joe Walters  is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review and a book marketing specialist at Sunbury Press. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading Joe Walters’s blog post “ How to Write a Great Book Revie w!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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4 comments on “ how to write a great book review ”.

Cool. Thanks. Working on one for the Catholic Worker as we type.

Great post! Your emphasis on the importance of careful reading and taking notes while reading is spot on. I appreciate the practical tips you provided for writing book reviews. Keep up the good work!

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The piece i read was and is really helpful. But i have questions to ask. More like i need clarity on certain things i read from Joe Walters’ piece. I do not know how to contact him. Not a fan of twitter. Searched for him on Facebook but came up with nothing. So, if there is another way to contact him, i will appreciate.

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• book marketing / Book Promotion / Book Reviews / book sales

How to Write and Get Great Reviews — With Examples of a Book Review

by Ezra Barany · Published April 25, 2012 · Updated February 5, 2019

A lot of authors think that getting many five-star ecstatic reviews will help make more book sales, so they get their family and friends to post rave reviews. The problem is that browsing readers can detect false praise a mile away, so if you just help guide the reviewer on how to sound authentic, your reviews will in fact help you make more sales of your books.

When I evaluate a book that looks good, the first reviews I look at are the one-star reviews. I carefully scrutinize what the reviewer writes.

Why do I start at the one-star reviews? Because I’ve already got the impression the book may be worth getting, so I want to know what’s wrong with the book. You know the expression, “Too good to be true?” I come to a book that looks promising while thinking of that expression.

Since the one-star review doesn’t make the author happy, I know the reviewer’s not a close friend or relative of the author, so whatever the reviewer has to say may be more trustworthy. Also, I like reading one-star reviews because it can be fun to see someone ruthlessly tear a book apart if they do it with wit and humor.

If I get the impression that the reviewer is being biased or unfair, or their reason for not liking the book is insignificant, then I might look at the two-star reviews, and I’ll soon go to the four-star and five-star reviews.

Ideally, you want a review that combines both the excitement of how good your book is with the honesty and credibility of a one-star reviewer.

What Makes a Good Review?

Like I said, when people see five-star reviews with praise, they often think the reviewer is a friend of the author. Browsers of books will then dismiss those reviews as being biased. So actually, those are not good reviews. The best reviews are ones that sound sincere and come from a place of authentic criticism.

From beginning to end, here’s what a good review should have :

1. Typical Reading (To show where the reviewer is coming from)

The reviewer should explain where they’re coming from. Do they usually read science thrillers? Erotic romance? Knowing what the reviewer usually reads helps us know through what lens they’re looking when they comment on a book.

2. Pleasantly Surprised (To show that the reviewer can be trusted)

If the reviewer says they knew the book was going to be great because the author is their son, we won’t trust the review. But if the reviewer says they didn’t think the author or the book would be all that interesting, we feel like the reviewer has confided in us.

“I was pleasantly surprised” is a great comment. When a reviewer says she wasn’t expecting much and was pleasantly surprised, that tells us we can trust her. She’s being honest. As prospective buyers of the book reading her review, when we learn that we can trust the reviewer, we’ll be willing to read what else she has to say.

3. Reader’s Experience

Phrases like “I couldn’t put the book down,” or “It had me routing for the heroine,” are very useful. The overall experience is a great way to convey not only the value of the book but also what experience one can expect when reading it.

4. Specific Praise

It’s good to have content like, “This was a good book, I liked it a lot.” But it’s better to have specifics. “The writing was captivating,” “The characters were believable and I cared about them,” “The plot had so many twists and turns I couldn’t put the book down.” Specific praise helps browsing readers get a better sense of why your book is so good.

5. The Worst Problem (Back to the trust) + 6. The Best Part of the Book (To counter the one problem)

Why mention the worst problem about the book? By allowing the reviewer to reveal the worst problem of your book you gain two things. The superficial advantage is that the browsing reader will trust the review more. (We assume that anyone that mentions something bad about the book is being completely up front.)

The best advantage of revealing the worst problem with the book is that you reduce the risk of having someone who dislikes your style of book read it and give a harsh review of it. Is the problem that the characters are too stereotypical? Any reader who hates stereotypical characters will avoid the book and the only readers the book attracts will be ones who don’t mind stereotypical characters.

Better to prepare readers on what the biggest problem of your book is so they can decide if they’re willing to dismiss the problem and enjoy everything else your book has to offer.

Robert Cialdini, a man who got a degree in the psychology of influence, pointed out to me that one method of influence is to call out the worst part of the product and then hit them with the best. Have you heard the commercial for L’Oreal products? “It’s expensive, but you’re worth it!” so the reviewer should list the biggest problem, such as “I thought the characters could have been described better,” and then end with the best part about the book to show why the big problem doesn’t matter: “But the journey the story took me through was worth it.”

7. Recommend

When the reviewer ends by saying she’d recommend the book to others, it’s an opportunity to clarify the kinds of readers who’d love the book. By stating something like “I would recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal romance,” the reader can immediately know if they fall in the category of people who would like the book.

(You can edit before posting.)

Examples of a Book Review

Here are examples of a book review pulled from combinations of actual reviews I received for  The Torah Codes with the corresponding numbered parts of a good review:

(1.) I’m not much into the subject matter that the title suggests. (2.) I was a little concerned that this book was going to have an agenda about Torah codes, but I was pleasantly surprised. (3.)  The Torah Codes has a compelling story line and was actually hard to put down. (4.) The character Nathan is likable and often very funny, and the action kept me turning the pages. (5.) I must nitpick on one issue, though. Sophia, the main female character, is a Tarot card reader, which although an interesting twist to add, I would have liked the real meanings of the cards to have been used, not strange ones that are never used. (6.) This however, probably won’t affect the majority of the audience, so it’s definitely not something that should deter anyone from reading the book. This is a fun, quick-paced story that will not disappoint. (7.) It’s a fun book to share with a special friend.

How do you get the reviewer to write a well-written review?

When you request a review, offer to send them guidelines. If they respond by saying they are open to guidelines, list the above seven parts as questions for them to answer.

• What books do they usually read or like to read?
• What pleasantly surprised them about your book, and what experience did they have reading it?
• What specifically worked for them? The characters? The plot? The writing? How so?
• Also, what was the biggest aspect they didn’t like?
• And what one thing, the biggest praise they have for the book, made the aspect they didn’t like meaningless?
• Lastly, who would they recommend the book to?

Send them a few examples so that they get the idea. Also, I believe browsing readers like to read short reviews. So tell them it’s okay to keep it at about 300 to 500 words.

For those extra busy readers who are open to having you write the review for their approval, practice by writing one for your own book in the comments below! Include a link to where we can get your book!

Tags: examples of a book review ezra barany getting reviews how to get book reviews how to write a book review writing reviews

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Thanks for the help…i’m always worried that i will not say what needs to be said! 🙂 This will give me some ideas of what’s needed and what’s not. I won’t listen all the time but this can help me decide when i do need to follow the rules for the good of the book.

[…] your platform. Nick Thacker advises writing guest posts to sell more books, and Ezra Barany tells how to write and get great reviews, complete with example book […]

You present a nifty formula.

Perhaps I should try it out on a couple of books on Amazon tomorrow to see if it works for me?

Very helpful and realistic advice. It’s just hard to imagine encouraging people to write a 1-star review. I hope they can still give the 5-stars of enthusiasm they seem to have for my compelling memoir “The Woman in the Photograph,” yet give an honest evaluation of their experience. Thanks for your wisdom.

I found that reading glowing 5-Star reviews can be deceiving, and if I’ve read the book and know the thing actually stinks, I’m assured these people are friends. What I don’t like is doing reviews for someone and them refusing to let me put in a 3-Star review or lower. Like Ezra said, those are the honest ones.

The Post is very helpful, especially points 5 and 6. I also look at the least favorable reviews first, to get a sense of expectations that the reader may have, that for whatever reason did not come to fruition. Thanks for sharing these great guidelines!

You’re so welcome, Mary! I hope you’ll consider writing some book reviews for WritersFunZone!

I agree with Mary. This was a very helpful article and has helped me understand how to write a better book review without going into a long analysis which I don’t have time to do for every book I read.

So glad to hear it, Ann! I look forward to your reviews.

This is very helpful..not all post gives a detailed article Kindly post more ..I’m much delighted Just started to read books as i know it would be of much help to an individual..I’m not a that smart but hoping to put in my best

Merli, I’m glad you found it helpful.

I have always struggled with just the right things to say for a book review, wanting it to be relevant and helpful to the reader. This list of criteria is the perfect structure and has inspired me to write some reviews where I have been hesitating. Thank you!

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How to Write a Book Review? 12 Step Guide with Examples

Last Updated on February 18, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Do you have a burning desire to write an engaging book review? Writing a book review is often thought of as a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be a case of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”. With these tips and tricks in mind, you can easily craft a well-structured and captivating piece that will leave your readers wanting more.

Writing reviews is like cooking up something special – you need just the right ingredients to make it work. To get things started on the right foot, let’s begin by looking at how to grab people’s attention from the beginning. We all know first impressions last forever, so why not use one idiom or catchphrase to set the tone for your review? This could be something along the lines of ‘a rollercoaster ride’ or ‘an absolute gem’. these phrases will instantly draw people in and help them understand what kind of journey they are about to embark upon.

What is the Purpose of Writing a Book Review?

Getting a feel for the book you just finished can be an exciting experience. Writing down your thoughts in a book review is one of the most effective ways to share what you think with others. So, why write a book review? It’s simple: by writing a review, you help people decide whether they should read something or not.

When it comes to crafting a well-thought-out book review, analyzing the main character and their journey are essential points that need to be included. Additionally, providing a star rating at the end will also give readers an idea about how much you enjoyed the story overall. after all, everyone wants to see if other people like it too! With this information in mind, make sure to incorporate these elements when writing your book reviews and provide insight into what made the story unique – was it suspenseful ? Was there romance? Did it surprise you in any way?

Writing thoughtful reviews is no easy task but once done right, they serve as great recommendations for bookshelves everywhere!

Step 1: Read and Take Notes on the Book

Reading and taking notes on the book is an essential part of writing a great book review . To start, you should read through every page carefully to understand the author’s message. As you’re reading, pay attention to bibliographic information such as title, author’s name, publisher, date of publication, and so forth that can be included in your book report . Additionally, make sure to jot down any thoughts or opinions – this will help when forming your evaluation of the book later on.

While it may seem tedious at first, making detailed notes while reading is key for creating an insightful and comprehensive review. Keep track of plot details like main characters and their motivations; look out for themes and symbols used by the author; also consider how techniques like foreshadowing are employed. Having taken all these into account, you’ll be able to form a well-rounded opinion about what makes the story unique – which could then become one of the focal points in your book review!

Step 2: Analyze the Book’s Strengths and Weaknesses

If you’re looking to take your writing skills up a notch, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of a book is an excellent way to go. This step in creating a critical book review will help uncover the true value of the book’s contents and allow readers to appreciate the work for what it is. Here are some tips that can get this process started:

• Understand the author’s argument – getting familiar with their purpose as well as how they support it.
• Break down each element of the book – from its structure, use of language, and imagery, to character development .
• Make sure all questions have been answered – did the author reach their goal? What was missing?

It may not always be easy, but taking time to dissect each aspect of the novel can lead to thoughtful insights on both the good points and potential areas for improvement. By engaging in this analysis, readers gain a better understanding of why certain elements were included or excluded from the story—allowing them to more fully appreciate any underlying themes or messages being communicated by the author.

Step 3: Research the author and the Book’s Background

Engrossing yourself in a great read can be an amazing experience. But, before diving into the book, it is essential to research the background of both the author and the book itself. This includes looking at the book jacket for any reviews or awards given to the book as well as searching online for new books by that author. We’ll take a look at some steps you can take to help get familiar with what you’re about to read.

First, try researching information on the author’s previous works and biographical details related to them. Look through interviews with them and see if they have won any awards for their work or been featured in literary magazines. You should also find out where they are from and what other books or genres they write about besides this one.

Next, check out reviews on websites such as Goodreads, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble – these usually provide helpful insight into how readers reacted to the book when it was first released. Additionally, search for blog posts discussing its content – often people will discuss specific plot points and characters’ motivations which could give you more context around reading this particular piece of literature.

When all your research is done, make sure to use those keywords: great read, book jacket, and new books while writing your review so you can draw attention from your target audience! Don’t forget what we’ve discussed here today; even though it may not seem like much fun now, doing research beforehand will ultimately enhance your appreciation of any new book you decide to pick up!

Step 4: Consider How the Book Compares to Similar Works

When considering how to write a book review, it’s important to look at how the work compares to similar ones. It can be helpful to think of it as tasting different flavors of ice cream – you don’t just want one scoop, you want several so that you can discern what makes each unique. When analyzing a book this way, readers can get an understanding of its main points and why they should recommend it (or not) to their fellow readers.

To do this effectively, try looking for key elements in other books within the same genre or by the same author . What were their successes? How does your current read differ? Take note of any similarities and differences between them; use these observations as evidence when discussing the appeal of the new book. Don’t forget to consider if there is something special about this particular text – some signature style from the author or overarching theme – that sets it apart from others in its category.

By taking into account both broader contexts and fine details, we are better able to form opinions on our reading experiences and share those views with others who may benefit from hearing them. Such reviews can help people make informed decisions on what works best suit their interests and tastes.

Step 5: Outline Your Book Review

Outlining your book review is an essential part of the process. You’ll want to make sure you have all the information you need to write a thorough and thoughtful assessment . There are several different ways to go about this, depending on what kind of angle you’d like to take with your opinion of the work.

First, consider jotting down some notes as you read – making note of characters, plot points, and any other elements that stood out in particular. additionally, it’s always helpful to identify themes or ideas proposed by the author throughout their writing; these will help form the basis for your analysis later on. Lastly, try summarizing each part of the book so that when writing up your final review, you can quickly reference them for accuracy and consistency.

It’s important to be objective while also drawing attention to subjective elements such as style and tone during your review-writing session. always keep in mind that there should be evidence presented within your text – whether facts from the narrative itself or quotes taken directly from its pages – to back up any claims made regarding the quality of the work being discussed. By following these steps and incorporating keywords into your review, you’ll be well-equipped to craft a comprehensive overview of whatever subject matter you’re tackling!

Step 6: Write an Engaging Introduction

Writing an engaging introduction can make or break your book review, so it’s important to find the perfect balance between creative and informative. Following these five steps will help you craft an introduction that captures readers’ attention:

• Ask yourself questions about what makes this book unique and worth reading
• Make sure to include relevant details from the story
• Summarize the main points quickly without giving away too much content
• Respectfully convey your opinion while maintaining objectivity
• Check with the writing center for more tips on summarizing the plot

Incorporating all these elements into your introduction will ensure readers stay engaged throughout their journey through your book review. Plus, following questions like these when crafting an introduction helps you get inside readers’ heads—what do they want to read? What kind of information are they looking for? Knowing those answers will guide you as you create a memorable and exciting start to your book review.

Step 7: Summarize the Plot

When writing a review it’s important to provide readers with enough information about the story without giving away too much – so they have the incentive to buy and read the book themselves!

A summary of the plot should include where and when the story takes place, as well as any pivotal points in the narrative arc. If the book has been part of a series, mention that fact as well as how it fits into or differs from other installments. Be sure to reveal if there was ever a twist in the first place or whether it remained consistent throughout the entire novel. also don’t forget to give out some details regarding the author and their place of publication – this helps boost credibility for potential readers and gives them more context around why certain parts may have been included in the book.

To ensure accuracy while summarizing, try re-reading key passages or chapters. This will help you identify pertinent elements like characters’ motivations and reactions during particular scenes that might otherwise go overlooked but could still be beneficial for someone considering buying the book (e.g., did they find something funny or poignant?). By providing such details within your review, readers will gain insight into what makes this particular piece special – setting it apart from all those other titles vying for their money and time!

Step 8: Evaluate the Characters

In this day and age, a great way to evaluate the characters in a book review is by taking a deep dive into their personalities. Whether it’s on your personal blog or published in an academic journal, analyzing the characters can be incredibly insightful!

When evaluating characters, ask yourself questions like: are they likable? Do they have flaws or redeeming qualities? How do they interact with other characters? What kind of journey do they go through throughout the story? Answering these questions gives you greater insight into how well-rounded the characters are and whether or not the author has done justice to them. It also helps you understand if the character was written for any particular purpose.

It’s important to remember that even though some books may contain more complex characterization than others, every character should still be uniquely rendered with depth and nuance. Not only will this make for an interesting read but it will also give you as a reader clear insights about who each person is and why they matter to the overall story. Keep this in mind when writing your book review – it could be one of many ways to assess the quality of a piece of literature!

Step 9: Analyze the Setting and Subplots

Aspects of the book, particularly it’s setting and subplots, are key elements in any successful novel. When writing a book review, it’s important to take time to analyze these components and evaluate how they contribute to the overall story.

The setting can often provide insight into the characters’ motivations and actions. By analyzing the different locations that take place throughout a book, you can get an idea of how the plot develops over time. Similarly, examining the various subplots can give readers more information about what is going on behind the scenes. Both elements work together to create a full picture for readers, allowing them to form their own opinions about the story being told.

Taking all this into account, it’s easy to see why evaluating settings and subplots when writing your book review is so important. It helps bring clarity and context as well as provides valuable insights for both authors and readers alike. That said, don’t forget to consider other aspects of the book too – such as character development or themes – before forming your final judgment!

Step 10: Discuss the themes

Captivating stories always have interesting themes that keep the reader interested. Uncovering these underlying messages can be a rewarding experience and often gives readers an insight into the author’s perspective. When writing a book review, it is essential to discuss the prominent themes present in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the work.

Themes are usually conveyed through characters and their actions as well as the setting and plot. It is important to pay attention to any symbols or motifs used by the author; this will help to identify what is being communicated throughout the novel. In addition, looking for patterns in dialogue and examining how characters develop over time provides further context for understanding each theme’s importance within the story. By exploring all these aspects, you can gain a greater grasp of the overall message of the book and make connections between events more easily.

It is also beneficial to look at how individual elements interact with one another. How does an event affect later scenes? Does it introduce new ideas or build upon existing ones? these questions allow you to explore deeper levels of meaning and better understand why certain things happen in relation to others. after thoroughly analyzing each element separately, drawing conclusions about which themes dominate will give your book review added depth.

Step 11: Make a Final Assessment of the Book

Putting pen to paper and creating a book review is an art like no other. Crafting the perfect words that can captivate your audience and draw them in, all whilst providing an honest assessment of the work – it’s a daunting task. But by breaking down each part – from discussing its themes to making a final judgment on how successful you found the piece – there’s nothing stopping you from delivering an insightful critique!

When it comes to making a final assessment of the book, consider all aspects : Was it interesting? Did it keep your attention throughout? How were the characters written, and did they drive the story forward? Were any cultural or social issues addressed within its pages, and if so, how effectively were they handled? all these questions will help build up a picture of whether or not this was something worth reading; logically weighing up pros and cons before coming to a verdict can give your opinion gravitas. Make sure to state what age group you think would best appreciate this book too – after all, everyone has different tastes when it comes to literature!

Ultimately, writing a book review requires careful consideration as well as creative flair. You need to be able to articulate both good points and bad ones with confidence, backed up by strong evidence. So take some time out for yourself, grab your favorite beverage, sit back…and get inspired!

Step 12: Write a Catchy Conclusion

Wrapping up your book review with a catchy conclusion is like the cherry on top of an ice-cream sundae. It’s what ties together all the elements, giving it that perfect finishing touch. Here are 5 tips to make sure you write a great ending :

• Showcase any central themes or ideas that resonated with you in the book – this will give your readers something to think about after they’re done reading.
• Sum up your overall thoughts and feelings on the book by providing a brief evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses.
• offer some insight into why other people should read (or not) this book – making sure to include any relevant details such as genre or author credentials.
• End with a thought-provoking quote from either yourself or the author – this can be especially effective if it relates back to one of the main points discussed earlier in your review.
• Give praise where it’s deserved, but don’t hesitate to point out areas for improvement too – remember, honest reviews are key!

By following these simple steps, you’ll have written a memorable and engaging conclusion that leaves readers wanting more! Make sure to tie everything together neatly so that all strands come full circle and reflect upon each other effectively; this way, they will leave feeling satisfied and eager to explore similar books in the future.

Book Review Example 1: The Catcher in the Rye

Author : J.D. Salinger

Summary of Plot : The Catcher in the Rye tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy who has been expelled from his boarding school in Pennsylvania. After being expelled, Holden decides to go to New York City. In New York, he visits old friends and makes new ones, but is ultimately unable to connect with anyone. He spends his days wandering the city aimlessly, reflecting on his own loneliness and disillusionment with the world. His journey eventually leads him to a mental hospital, where he begins to come to terms with his identity and his place in the world.

Theme Analysis : The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age story, in which Holden struggles to find his place in the world. The main theme of the book is alienation, as Holden is unable to find a sense of belonging despite his efforts. He feels disconnected from the adults around him and is unable to form meaningful relationships with his peers. The book also touches on themes of maturity and innocence, as Holden struggles between his desire to remain in a state of innocence, and his need to grow up and face the world as it is.

Character Analysis : Holden Caulfield is the protagonist of the novel. He is an unreliable narrator , as he often lies, exaggerates, and omits details in order to fit the story he is telling. Despite his flaws, Holden is an idealistic, sensitive, and thoughtful person. He is an outsider, struggling to find his place in the world, and his journey is one of self-discovery.

Critique: The Catcher in the Rye is an iconic work of literature and an important commentary on the human experience. Salinger’s writing is vivid and captivating, and his characters are complex and multi-dimensional. One of the book’s main strengths is the way it captures the confusion and uncertainty of adolescence. Despite its strengths, the book does have some weaknesses. Some readers may find the protagonist’s narration to be overly self-involved and annoying, and some may find the ending unsatisfying. However, these criticisms do not detract from the overall power of the novel.

Book Review Example 2: The Hunger Games

Author : Suzanne Collins

Summary of Plot : The Hunger Games is a thrilling novel set in a dystopian future in the nation of Panem. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl, who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games, an annual televised event in which 24 teenagers from 12 districts fight to the death until one victor remains. Along the way, Katniss must navigate a dangerous world of political intrigue, manipulation, and the power of the media in order to survive and emerge victorious.

Theme Analysis : The Hunger Games is a story about the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a story of individuals struggling against oppressive systems and finding strength within themselves and from those around them. The novel also touches on themes of courage and strength, as well as the power of friendship and love in the face of impossible odds.

Character Analysis : Katniss Everdeen is the novel’s protagonist and heroine. She is a strong, independent individual who is determined to survive the Hunger Games and protect those she loves. Her bravery, resourcefulness, and loyalty make her a compelling protagonist and an easy one to root for. Peeta Mellark is another major character in the novel. He is the other tribute from District 12 and helps Katniss survive the Hunger Games. He is a kind, gentle soul who ultimately sacrifices himself to protect Katniss.

Critique: The Hunger Games is a thrilling, action-packed novel that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the novel explores themes of courage, strength, and resilience in the face of impossible odds. The only weakness of the novel is that some of the themes are a bit heavy-handed and may not appeal to all readers.

Book Review Example 3: The Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Summary of Plot: The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, Afghanistan. He is raised by his wealthy father, Baba, and has a best friend, Hassan, who is a servant in their household. The two boys form a strong bond, but ultimately Amir betrays Hassan in a shocking act of cowardice. Years later, Amir moves to the United States and is overwhelmed with guilt and regret for his actions. He eventually decides to return to Afghanistan to make amends with Hassan and his family. Along the way, he faces many obstacles and learns valuable lessons about self-forgiveness and redemption.

Theme Analysis: The Kite Runner is a story of redemption and self-discovery. Amir has to confront his guilt and learn to forgive himself in order to move forward in life. The novel also explores the power of relationships and how they can be both influential and destructive. In addition, it examines the notion of identity and belonging, as Amir struggles to reconcile his Afghan heritage with his new American life.

Character Analysis: Amir is the protagonist of the novel and is a complex character. He is initially portrayed as a timid and cowardly boy, but as the novel progresses, he learns to overcome his guilt and find his courage. Hassan is a loyal and brave friend to Amir and is a foil to his character. Baba is Amir’s father and is a strong and proud man who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his son.

Critique: The Kite Runner is a powerful and thought-provoking novel. Hosseini does an excellent job of capturing the emotions and experiences of his characters, and the story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. A major strength of the novel is its vivid depiction of the cultural and political landscape of Afghanistan before and after the Soviet invasion. The only weak point of the novel is its somewhat abrupt ending, as Amir’s journey to redemption feels unfinished.

In conclusion, writing a book review is an important skill to have. It takes time and effort to read and analyze the book as well as research its background before making an assessment. after this process is complete, it’s time to write your review! Make sure you include catchy conclusions that will make readers remember your opinion of the book.

When constructing those concluding paragraphs, don’t forget to use anachronisms! Something like ‘this timeless tale will remain evergreen in our hearts’ can be a great way to add some flair while still being accurate. Your unique perspective on the work should come through in these last few sentences – that’s what makes a memorable review!

At the end of the day, if you take all these steps into consideration when crafting your book reviews you’ll be able to confidently share your thoughts with others. From there, it’s just a matter of perfecting them until they are ready for publication or sharing with friends and family. Happy reviewing!

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How to write a book review (for librarians): Home

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~, know your topic.

Choose a subject area that:

• you have a background in
• you have an interest in
• is closely aligned with your work

If  you are lucky they will be all three at once!

Scan the Literature

• Note the subject headings of the book you are reviewing
• Search these headings in your catalog
• Search for additional works by the author/editor
• Borrow these related books if needed, and scan them briefly, comparing them to the review book
• If you have time, read some reviews of the related books
• Note differences and/or updates in the new book

Know your Review Source

• ARBA see sample reviews
• Booklist interested reviewers, see link
• Choice information for reviewers
• H-Net Reviews (open access) information and guidelines
• Library Journal see guidelines

Find Book Reviews (via EBSCOhost)

Enter the search strategy below (exactly as shown) into EBSCOhost's search bar:

DE "BOOKS -- Reviews"

For best results, use Advanced Search option. Combine this term with a subject term and refine further.

A Librarian's Official Guide to Reviewing Books

See ALA/RUSA's (2005) Elements for Basic Reviews (opens link to a 45-page PDF file).

Read the book (and others)

1. Allow enough lead time to fully absorb the book over time.

When you first open the book, jot down some initial thoughts.  This is important.  You won't see the book the same way again as you did when you first cracked it open.  Set the book aside and come back to it later to make additional assessments.

Read a little per day.  Reading (or scanning) the book in one sitting is not recommended. 

2. Keep your eyes open for similar books during this period.

Scan your library catalog for books of the same subject heading, published within the last few years, and even reaching back over the last decade.  Consider older books only if they appear to be landmark books or were reviewed in the same review source.  You may want to familiarize yourself with them in case you need to refer to them as benchmarks (or they may have newer editions on the horizon).  Allow enough time to obtain books from other libraries to assist in your review, if necessary.

Use a Set of Criteria

Most review sources will ask you to make critical evaluations about the following aspects of a book you are reviewing:

Authority   What are the credentials of the author or editor?   Is he or she prominent in their field?  What else have they published?  How do they compare with competing authors in their field?  Is the book put out by a leading publisher in the discipline?

Scope  Does the book focus on a particular aspect of a topic?  Or is it a broad survey book?  Is it in a unique enough niche to consider worthwhile but not so narrow in scope that very few would find a need for this book?  Has it all been written about before in a hundred different ways? 

Currency   Is this book representative of the latest news or research in the field?  Is it up-to-date?  Or has the moment for the topic passed?  Is it just an update of a previous edition?  What is the nature of the revision?  Or is there barely a difference from the last revision?

Relevancy  Is this book relevant to a particular type of library collection?  Is it unique?  Or is it just one of hundreds of books on this topic?  Is it appropriate for academic/public/school libraries?  How many other libraries own the book?  Is it indispensible, a book every library should own?  Or would it be considered an optional addition to the collection?

Audience  Who is the expected audience?  Is it written for highly specialized practitioners or for general audiences?  Is the book written appropriately for the intended audience?

Quality & Value   Is the book physically solid?  Will it hold up in a library collection?  Is it well designed?  Is it visually appealing?  Are the illustrations necessary and of effective quality for the subject matter?  Is this book designed for the amount of use it is expected to get?  Is it too expensive for most to consider purchasing?  Is it overpriced?  Are there alternative new books in the same subject category or covering the same topic that might be preferred because they are cheaper?

Writing the Review

Just jot notes at first, book in hand.  Read the summary on the back to solidify the basic factual parameters of the work (e.g., number of annotations inside, exact number of decades spanned, number of artists interviewed, number of images, whatever the case may be...).

Read the introduction, preface, foreword.  Get a feel for what the book is supposed to accomplish and where the author is coming from.

If a reference book, ask yourself some questions as if you are a researcher.  Look up some hypothetical entries that matter to you.  See if you can find your topic in the index (is an index provided?).  How quickly can you locate what you are looking for?  Does the layout make sense?  Did you NOT find what you expected to be able to find?

If illustrated, what is the quality of the illustrations?  Is color provided when necessary? 

Nearly every book I have ever read has had at least one or two typos.  How many typos do you see? 

Write a first draft considering all these technical aspects and incorporating knowledge about existing books on the same topic.  Be sure to indicate if any of these other books has been covered by the same review source and cite this.  Be sure to also include a cursory introductory background about the topic in your review if allowed.

Let the review draft sit a few days and then re-read it.  Revise it.  Revise it again.  Revise it until it is as succinct as possible.  Cut out redundancies.  Read it out loud so that that you can be sure the text flows well.  Conclude your review with a recommendation on the book, offering alternatives when deemed necessary.

Work well within word limits.  Restating bibliographic information in the text of a review is almost always a waste of valuable space, as is restating the basic chapter sequence, table of contents list, and so on.  Limit your remarks to those that compare the authority and credentials of the book with other leading books in the field, stating the overall value and usefulness of the book in comparison with similar works and noting any deficiencies or extra features.

Scholarly Communications Librarian

• Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023 2:21 PM
• URL: https://libguides.utoledo.edu/write_a_review

25 of the Best Words to Describe a Book for Your Book Review

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

Even the best book readers suffer from writer’s block, when finding the words to describe a book you just read can be an uphill task.

A book review needs to express your opinion coherently and authoritatively, and this can only be achieved using the best possible words to describe a book.

We have some examples below for different categories.

Best words to describe a book: a praising review for a book you liked

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Best words to describe a book: a review of a book you didn’t like

  Book reviewers need to employ the best words to describe a book. They do this to project authority, but they also do this so that they can drastically improve (or disprove) the book’s reception.   If you have just finished a book and you can’t find the right words for your review, then we hope the classic words to describe a book and associated phrases listed above will help to inspire your next book review .  

Jimmy Knapp

Saturday 30th of March 2024

This blog post is packed with great content!

Organizing Research for Arts and Humanities Papers and Theses

• General Guide Information
• Developing a Topic
• What are Primary and Secondary Sources
• What are Scholarly and Non-Scholarly Sources
• Writing an Abstract
• Writing Academic Book Reviews
• Writing A Literature Review
• Using Images and other Media

Purpose of a Book Review

Note: This information is geared toward researchers in the arts and humanities. For a detailed guide on writing book reviews in the social sciences, please check the USC Libraries guide to  Writing and Organizing Research in the Social Sciences , authored by Dr. Robert Labaree.

When writing an academic book review, start with a bibliographic citation of the book you are reviewing [e.g., author, title, publication information, length]. Adhere to a particular citation style, such as Chicago, MLA, or APA.  Put your name at the very end of the book review text.

The basic purpose of a book review is to convey and evaluate the following:

a.     what the book is about;

b.     the expertise of the author(s);

c.     how well the book covers its topic(s) and whether it breaks new ground;

d.     the author’s viewpoint, methodology, or perspective;

e.     the appropriateness of the evidence to the topical scope of the book;

f.      the intended audience;

g.     the arrangement of the book (chapters, illustrations) and the quality of the scholarly apparatus, such as notes and bibliographies.

Point "c. how well the book covers its topics and whether it breaks new ground" requires your engagement with the book, and can be approached in a variety of ways. The question of whether the book breaks new ground does not necessarily refer to some radical or overarching notion of originality in the author’s argument. A lot of contemporary scholarship in the arts or humanities is not about completely reorienting the discipline, nor is it usually about arguing a thesis that has never been argued before. If an author does that, that's wonderful, and you, as a book reviewer, must look at the validity of the methods that contextualize the author's new argument.

It is more likely that the author of a scholarly book will look at the existing evidence with a finer eye for detail, and use that detail to amplify and add to existing scholarship. The author may present new evidence or a new "reading" of the existing evidence, in order to refine scholarship and to contribute to current debate. Or the author may approach existing scholarship, events, and prevailing ideas from a more nuanced perspective, thus re-framing the debate within the discipline.

The task of the book reviewer is to “tease out” the book’s themes, explain them in the review, and apply a well-argued judgment on the appropriateness of the book’s argument(s) to the existing scholarship in the field.

For example, you are reviewing a book on the history of the development of public libraries in nineteenth century America. The book includes a chapter on the role of patronage by affluent women in endowing public libraries in the mid-to-late-1800s. In this chapter, the author argues that the role of women was overlooked in previous scholarship because most of them were widows who made their financial bequests to libraries in the names of their husbands. The author argues that the history of public library patronage, and moreover, of cultural patronage, should be re-read and possibly re-framed given the evidence presented in this chapter. As a book reviewer you will be expected to evaluate this argument and the underlying scholarship.

There are two common types of academic book reviews: short summary reviews, which are descriptive, and essay-length critical reviews. Both types are described further down.

[Parenthetically, writing an academic/scholarly book review may present an opportunity to get published.]

Short summary book reviews

For a short, descriptive review, include at least the following elements:

a.     the bibliographic citation for the book;

b.     the purpose of the book;

c.     a summary of main theme(s) or key points;

d.     if there is space, a brief description of the book’s relationship to other books on the same topic or to pertinent scholarship in the field.

e.     note the author's affiliation and authority, as well as the physical content of the book, such as visual materials (photographs, illustrations, graphs) and the presence of scholarly apparatus (table of contents, index, bibliography, footnotes, endnotes, credit for visual materials);

f.     your name and affiliation.

Critical or essay-length book reviews

For a critical, essay-length book review consider including the following elements, depending on their relevance to your assignment:

b.     an opening statement that ought to peak the reader’s interest in the book under review

c.     a section that points to the author’s main intentions;

d.     a section that discusses the author’s ideas and the book’s thesis within a scholarly perspective. This should be a critical assessment of the book within the larger scholarly discourse;

e.     if you found errors in the book, point the major ones and explain their significance. Explain whether they detract from the thesis and the arguments made in the book;

f.     state the book's place within a strand of scholarship and summarize its importance to the discipline;

g.    include information about the author's affiliation and authority, as well as the physical content of the book, such as visual materials (photographs, illustrations, graphs) and the presence of scholarly apparatus (table of contents, index, bibliography, footnotes, endnotes, credit for visual materials);

h.     indicate the intended readership of the book and whether the author succeeds in engaging the audience on the appropriate level;

i.     your name and affiliation.

Good examples of essay-length reviews may be found in the scholarly journals included in the JSTOR collection, in the New York Review of Books , and similar types of publications, and in cultural publications like the New Yorker magazine.

Remember to keep track of your sources, regardless of the stage of your research. The USC Libraries have an excellent guide to  citation styles  and to  citation management software . 

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• Next: Writing A Literature Review >>
• Last Updated: Jan 19, 2023 3:12 PM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/ah_writing

How to Write Critical Reviews

When you are asked to write a critical review of a book or article, you will need to identify, summarize, and evaluate the ideas and information the author has presented. In other words, you will be examining another person’s thoughts on a topic from your point of view.

Your stand must go beyond your “gut reaction” to the work and be based on your knowledge (readings, lecture, experience) of the topic as well as on factors such as criteria stated in your assignment or discussed by you and your instructor.

Make your stand clear at the beginning of your review, in your evaluations of specific parts, and in your concluding commentary.

Remember that your goal should be to make a few key points about the book or article, not to discuss everything the author writes.

Understanding the Assignment

To write a good critical review, you will have to engage in the mental processes of analyzing (taking apart) the work–deciding what its major components are and determining how these parts (i.e., paragraphs, sections, or chapters) contribute to the work as a whole.

Analyzing the work will help you focus on how and why the author makes certain points and prevent you from merely summarizing what the author says. Assuming the role of an analytical reader will also help you to determine whether or not the author fulfills the stated purpose of the book or article and enhances your understanding or knowledge of a particular topic.

Be sure to read your assignment thoroughly before you read the article or book. Your instructor may have included specific guidelines for you to follow. Keeping these guidelines in mind as you read the article or book can really help you write your paper!

Also, note where the work connects with what you’ve studied in the course. You can make the most efficient use of your reading and notetaking time if you are an active reader; that is, keep relevant questions in mind and jot down page numbers as well as your responses to ideas that appear to be significant as you read.

Please note: The length of your introduction and overview, the number of points you choose to review, and the length of your conclusion should be proportionate to the page limit stated in your assignment and should reflect the complexity of the material being reviewed as well as the expectations of your reader.

Write the introduction

Below are a few guidelines to help you write the introduction to your critical review.

Introduce your review appropriately

Begin your review with an introduction appropriate to your assignment.

If your assignment asks you to review only one book and not to use outside sources, your introduction will focus on identifying the author, the title, the main topic or issue presented in the book, and the author’s purpose in writing the book.

If your assignment asks you to review the book as it relates to issues or themes discussed in the course, or to review two or more books on the same topic, your introduction must also encompass those expectations.

Explain relationships

For example, before you can review two books on a topic, you must explain to your reader in your introduction how they are related to one another.

Within this shared context (or under this “umbrella”) you can then review comparable aspects of both books, pointing out where the authors agree and differ.

In other words, the more complicated your assignment is, the more your introduction must accomplish.

Finally, the introduction to a book review is always the place for you to establish your position as the reviewer (your thesis about the author’s thesis).

As you write, consider the following questions:

• Is the book a memoir, a treatise, a collection of facts, an extended argument, etc.? Is the article a documentary, a write-up of primary research, a position paper, etc.?
• Who is the author? What does the preface or foreword tell you about the author’s purpose, background, and credentials? What is the author’s approach to the topic (as a journalist? a historian? a researcher?)?
• What is the main topic or problem addressed? How does the work relate to a discipline, to a profession, to a particular audience, or to other works on the topic?
• What is your critical evaluation of the work (your thesis)? Why have you taken that position? What criteria are you basing your position on?

Provide an overview

In your introduction, you will also want to provide an overview. An overview supplies your reader with certain general information not appropriate for including in the introduction but necessary to understanding the body of the review.

Generally, an overview describes your book’s division into chapters, sections, or points of discussion. An overview may also include background information about the topic, about your stand, or about the criteria you will use for evaluation.

The overview and the introduction work together to provide a comprehensive beginning for (a “springboard” into) your review.

• What are the author’s basic premises? What issues are raised, or what themes emerge? What situation (i.e., racism on college campuses) provides a basis for the author’s assertions?
• How informed is my reader? What background information is relevant to the entire book and should be placed here rather than in a body paragraph?

Write the body

The body is the center of your paper, where you draw out your main arguments. Below are some guidelines to help you write it.

Organize using a logical plan

Organize the body of your review according to a logical plan. Here are two options:

• First, summarize, in a series of paragraphs, those major points from the book that you plan to discuss; incorporating each major point into a topic sentence for a paragraph is an effective organizational strategy. Second, discuss and evaluate these points in a following group of paragraphs. (There are two dangers lurking in this pattern–you may allot too many paragraphs to summary and too few to evaluation, or you may re-summarize too many points from the book in your evaluation section.)
• Alternatively, you can summarize and evaluate the major points you have chosen from the book in a point-by-point schema. That means you will discuss and evaluate point one within the same paragraph (or in several if the point is significant and warrants extended discussion) before you summarize and evaluate point two, point three, etc., moving in a logical sequence from point to point to point. Here again, it is effective to use the topic sentence of each paragraph to identify the point from the book that you plan to summarize or evaluate.

Questions to keep in mind as you write

With either organizational pattern, consider the following questions:

• What are the author’s most important points? How do these relate to one another? (Make relationships clear by using transitions: “In contrast,” an equally strong argument,” “moreover,” “a final conclusion,” etc.).
• What types of evidence or information does the author present to support his or her points? Is this evidence convincing, controversial, factual, one-sided, etc.? (Consider the use of primary historical material, case studies, narratives, recent scientific findings, statistics.)
• Where does the author do a good job of conveying factual material as well as personal perspective? Where does the author fail to do so? If solutions to a problem are offered, are they believable, misguided, or promising?
• Which parts of the work (particular arguments, descriptions, chapters, etc.) are most effective and which parts are least effective? Why?
• Where (if at all) does the author convey personal prejudice, support illogical relationships, or present evidence out of its appropriate context?

Keep your opinions distinct and cite your sources

Remember, as you discuss the author’s major points, be sure to distinguish consistently between the author’s opinions and your own.

Keep the summary portions of your discussion concise, remembering that your task as a reviewer is to re-see the author’s work, not to re-tell it.

And, importantly, if you refer to ideas from other books and articles or from lecture and course materials, always document your sources, or else you might wander into the realm of plagiarism.

Include only that material which has relevance for your review and use direct quotations sparingly. The Writing Center has other handouts to help you paraphrase text and introduce quotations.

Write the conclusion

You will want to use the conclusion to state your overall critical evaluation.

You have already discussed the major points the author makes, examined how the author supports arguments, and evaluated the quality or effectiveness of specific aspects of the book or article.

Now you must make an evaluation of the work as a whole, determining such things as whether or not the author achieves the stated or implied purpose and if the work makes a significant contribution to an existing body of knowledge.

Consider the following questions:

• Is the work appropriately subjective or objective according to the author’s purpose?
• How well does the work maintain its stated or implied focus? Does the author present extraneous material? Does the author exclude or ignore relevant information?
• How well has the author achieved the overall purpose of the book or article? What contribution does the work make to an existing body of knowledge or to a specific group of readers? Can you justify the use of this work in a particular course?
• What is the most important final comment you wish to make about the book or article? Do you have any suggestions for the direction of future research in the area? What has reading this work done for you or demonstrated to you?

Academic and Professional Writing

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Analysis Papers

Reading Poetry

A Short Guide to Close Reading for Literary Analysis

Using Literary Quotations

Play Reviews

Writing a Rhetorical Précis to Analyze Nonfiction Texts

Incorporating Interview Data

Grant Proposals

Planning and Writing a Grant Proposal: The Basics

Additional Resources for Grants and Proposal Writing

Job Materials and Application Essays

Writing Personal Statements for Ph.D. Programs

• Before you begin: useful tips for writing your essay
• Guided brainstorming exercises
• Get more help with your essay
• Frequently Asked Questions

Resume Writing Tips

CV Writing Tips

Cover Letters

Business Letters

Proposals and Dissertations

Resources for Proposal Writers

Resources for Dissertators

Research Papers

Planning and Writing Research Papers

Quoting and Paraphrasing

Writing Annotated Bibliographies

Creating Poster Presentations

Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

Thank-You Notes

Advice for Students Writing Thank-You Notes to Donors

Reading for a Review

Critical Reviews

Writing a Review of Literature

Scientific Reports

Scientific Report Format

Sample Lab Assignment

Writing for the Web

Writing an Effective Blog Post

Writing for Social Media: A Guide for Academics

• GET YOUR BOOK REVIEWED
• GET AMAZON REVIEWS
• SPR BOOK AWARDS
• BETA READERS
• BOOK MARKETING SERVICES
• BOOK REVIEWS
• PRIVACY POLICY

Ten Ways To Use A Professional Book Review

Often at Self-Publishing Review, we are asked, “What can I do with my book review once I purchase it?” So here is a list of ten uses for your review to garner sales and exposure.

1. Editorial Review section on Amazon

The Editorial Reviews Section on your Amazon Author Central profile is an all-important showcase for professional reviews. Your review quote should be 600 characters or less, and your book must be sold on Amazon. To find out how to add a review, click here .

2. Goodreads

You can quote your editorial reviews in your Goodreads profile. To do this, go to your dashboard and add short, punchy quotes to your blurb with the reviewer name and star rating. You can also blog the review, under the blog section. This will show up on your page also.

3. Barnes and Noble Profile

In “More About This Book,” you can add Editorial Reviews. B & N has a much less user-friendly system than Amazon, but the process isn’t too painful. Here’s a brilliant article by Sarra Cannon on how to add the review to your book page. Just be aware that B & N will make you write to them to correct entries, and that is painful, so get it right first time.

4. Back of your book

The back cover of “Watchmen” by Alan Moore shows a great use of reviews.

Using an editorial review pull-quote for the back of your book can make it stand out in a print version in a store, or on a fair stand. The difference between a quote from a friend or an amateur blog and a professional service is huge. A named website will garner a reader response, not only because the writing will be polished, but also because it proves you are seriously promoting your work. That automatically gives value to your book. Ask yourself when was the last time you saw someone like Veronica Roth or Stephen King quote their local book group or great aunt on their book cover?

5. Facebook

By sharing and boosting your review link on Facebook with a featured image you can drum up interest in your book. Posting your review in book groups and author pages will get some likes, and start to aggregate sales potential. By using a professional service you will get a dedicated link in place you can use easily that looks nice. We provide a service for a Facebook/Instagram boosted post of your SPR Review here .

6. Your own website

At SPR we offer artwork or badges for all reviews that can be pasted into a web page as part of our review service. These go directly to the linked book review page.  The artwork shows the star rating and with Lead Story packages, with a pull-quote and 3D book cover. Many professional review services offer this kind of service, and all you have to do is cut and paste the code given into your web page body to have the badge show up without knowing anything about coding.

SPR offers linkable artwork using quotes from the review

Tweeting your review is a great idea! By using hashtags you can add to the shareability of your link:

#Books #WhatToRead #SelfPublishing #eBook #GreatReads #99c (to offer an eBook bargain) #AuthorRT #BookGiveaway #BookMarketing

Also, #*genre here*, such as #DarkFantasy, #YA, will put your book onto genre lists. Remember to capitalize words with no spaces.

8. Press Releases

You can release your book review as a press release on a free service, such as these listed at Mashable . Make sure you include a short synopsis for your book, with a cover image, and then quote from your review, with a link to the URL. This will garner views and interest, and often you can set keywords and geographic areas as part of the release service. All services offer the template, and all you have to do is fill it in and submit it.

9. Linkedin

Create a profile and start adding authors and book industry people. Join groups. Then share your professional reviews as updates. Linkedin, unlike Facebook, remains a professional social network, and all information is about your career. Your book promo won’t get lost in kittens and pictures of kids. Here, you will keep it on-topic and start talking with book professionals. Sharing your professional book reviews will help give your career as an author some kudos here.

10. Make a one-sheet for your media kit

As well as a bio and a headshot, the media kit for your book should include the all-important ‘one-sheet’. This is a sheet of paper with a glossy print of the book cover on one side and a one-page description of the book on the other side that features a few recommendations of your book. At this point, you’re going to need trusted recommendations. What this means is, by starting with a named professional review website giving your book a quality starred rating you have a better chance of getting a free review from a big newspaper or magazine with your media kit. Here are some examples from IBPA:

If you would like a professional review for your self-published book take a look at our packages here.

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• How To Write A Review: Cambridge B2 First

• Posted on 24/07/2019
• Categories: Blog
• Tags: B2 First , Cambridge Exams , FCE , First Certificate , Resources to learn English , Writing

Students who are taking their B2 First Certificate exam (FCE) will be asked to do two pieces of writing within an 80 minute time limit. Part 1 is always an essay . Part 2 is where you can get a bit more creative. You might, for example, be asked to write a letter, a report or a review, all of which have their own style and set guidelines.

When writing a review it can be difficult to know where to start. But don’t be afraid! We are here to help you every step of the way.

Remember a review could be for a book, a film, a magazine, a restaurant or even a product .

Three steps to writing a great review

Let’s start with something simple. Imagine. You turn over the page to your writing part 2 and you see this question:

Question taken from Cambridge Assessment English website . (Feb 2018)

Step One: Make a plan

The first thing to do is to make a plan, just like we did in our B2 First essay guidelines .

Think of a book you read in which the main character behaved in a surprising way. This could be surprising in a good way, where the character does something amazing and helps somebody. Or maybe there’s a twist at the end and the character does something really shocking. Either way take some time to really think about your choice.

E.g. I’m going to choose The Great Gatsby, because I had to read the book 3 times when I was at school and I’ve seen the film so I feel like I know it really well .

The structure

Next, think of the structure. Consider all the parts of the question and use that to help organise your review. Make notes about the following:

• An interesting title
• A catchy introduction
• A summary of the plot
• A surprising moment
• Your recommendation

Remember you’re going to want to separate these with clear paragraphs that are going to help the examiner read to the end without getting a headache.

You also need to consider the tone and how the review should sound to the reader. Remember this is for a magazine. Think about all the magazines you like to read. You want to sound chatty and grab the reader’s attention, but not bore them to sleep. Think semi-formal but friendly!

Useful Vocabulary

Now brainstorm some useful vocabulary for your chosen book, including lots of adjectives. Avoid using boring adjectives like good or bad . It’s much more exciting to say ‘amazing’ and ‘disappointing’ or ‘ terrific ’ and ‘terrible’ .

Here’s some more useful vocabulary to get you started:

superficial / deceptive / fascinating / unbelievable / rich / lonely / kind / reserved/ to be set in / to be written by / prosperity / characters / jazz age / protagonist / atmosphere / author / chapter / ending / fictional towns / prohibition / novel / on the outskirts / sad story.

Your next step is to think of some linking phrases. These are going to help tie together your thoughts and bring your review to life!

• Overall if you like…
• I was pleasantly surprised by…
• In fact…
• What I disliked the most was…
• The book contains…
• As well as…
• This well-written book…
• Unbelievably…

Step Two: Write it

Once you have a solid plan, writing your review should be easy!

First start with an interesting title. E.g. The Unexpected Anti-Hero. It relates to both the book that’s being reviewed and the question. It’s also short and snappy .

Next write an engaging introduction. Maybe start with a rhetorical question, for example:

Are you a fan of the Jazz Age? Then this is the book for you!

Or a general statement about the book that will hook the reader:

The Great Gatsby is a classic, with many twists and turns.

You could also give some background information. Here we use the past simple:

The Great Gatsby was written by F.S.Fitzgerald and is set in prosperous Long Island in 1922.

The second paragraph should summarise the plot (note – we usually describe a story in present tense ):

Gatsby is a mysterious character, he has big extravagant parties, and we never know if we can trust him.

The third paragraph is where we introduce the surprising moment and reveal what the main character did and why it was surprising:

• The most shocking part is when…
• I couldn’t believe it when…
• It was so surprising when…

In the fourth paragraph, give a recommendation! Here the examiner wants to hear your overall opinion. It can be something simple:

• I strongly recommend..

Or something more inventive:

• I wouldn’t read the novel again because…
• Everyone should read this immediately!

But don’t forget to say why!

Step Three: Check it

Now you have your winning book review it’s time to check for all those little (and big) mistakes.

Make sure you check:

• You’ve answered all parts of the question.
• It is easy to read.
• Your spelling is correct.
• You’ve used the 3rd person(s).
• You have used punctuation.
• There’s a variety of nouns and adjectives.
• Pick a book you know quite well! Whether it’s Harry Potter or The Hunger Games , make sure you have lots to say about it!
• Don’t be afraid to give both negative and positive opinions!
• Experiment with using first person and try addressing the reader with ‘you’.
• Read lots of real authentic reviews online, anything from holidays to music concerts, exhibitions to video games!
• Remember to put some of your own personality into your review. Have some fun with it and good luck!

Follow the links for some excellent phrases and vocabulary for other types of reviews.

Restaurant Reviews

Film Reviews

TV / Theatre Reviews

Exhibition & Concert Reviews

Here are some more sample questions for you to practice on your own:

Choose one and post your reviews in the comments section.

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Twist (n): : a sudden change in a story that you do not expect..

Chatty (adj): having a friendly style.

Avoid doing something (v): to intentionally not do something.

Terrific (adj): excellent.

Snappy (adj): concise.

Hook (v): to catch.

adj = adjective

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8 Hidden Benefits of Being Bilingual

• By: oxfordadmin
• Posted on 17/07/2019

4 Past Tenses and When to Use Them

• Posted on 31/07/2019

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Analysis and Interpretation

Book reviews, what is a review.

A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms. This handout will focus on book reviews. For a similar assignment, see our handout on  literature reviews .

Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in its knowledge, judgments, or organization. You should clearly state your opinion of the work in question, and that statement will probably resemble other types of academic writing, with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion. See our  handout on argument .

Typically, reviews are brief. In newspapers and academic journals, they rarely exceed 1000 words, although you may encounter lengthier assignments and extended commentaries. In either case, reviews need to be succinct.  While they vary in tone, subject, and style, they share some common features:

• First, a review gives the reader a concise summary of the content.  This includes a relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
• Second, and more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content.  This involves your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it enhanced your understanding of the issues at hand.
• Finally, in addition to analyzing the work, a review often suggests whether or not the audience would appreciate it.

Becoming an expert reviewer: three short examples

Reviewing can be a daunting task. Someone has asked for your opinion about something that you may feel unqualified to evaluate. Who are you to criticize Toni Morrison’s new book if you’ve never written a novel yourself, much less won a Nobel Prize? The point is that someone—a professor, a journal editor, peers in a study group—wants to know what you think about a particular work. You may not be (or feel like) an expert, but you need to pretend to be one for your particular audience. Nobody expects you to be the intellectual equal of the work’s creator, but your careful observations can provide you with the raw material to make reasoned judgments. Tactfully voicing agreement and disagreement, praise and criticism, is a valuable, challenging skill, and like many forms of writing, reviews require you to provide concrete evidence for your assertions.

Consider the following brief book review written for a history course on medieval Europe by a student who is fascinated with beer:

The student describes the subject of the book and provides an accurate summary of its contents. But the reader does not learn some key information expected from a review: the author’s argument, the student’s appraisal of the book and its argument, and whether or not the student would recommend the book. As a critical assessment, a book review should focus on opinions, not facts and details. Summary should be kept to a minimum, and specific details should serve to illustrate arguments.

Now consider a review of the same book written by a slightly more opinionated student:

There’s no shortage of judgments in this review! But the student does not display a working knowledge of the book’s argument. The reader has a sense of what the student expected of the book, but no sense of what the author herself set out to prove. Although the student gives several reasons for the negative review, those examples do not clearly relate to each other as part of an overall evaluation—in other words, in support of a specific thesis. This review is indeed an assessment, but not a critical one.

Here is one final review of the same book:

This student’s review avoids the problems of the previous two examples. It combines balanced opinion and concrete example, a critical assessment based on an explicitly stated rationale, and a recommendation to a potential audience. The reader gets a sense of what the book’s author intended to demonstrate. Moreover, the student refers to an argument about feminist history in general that places the book in a specific genre and that reaches out to a general audience. The example of analyzing wages illustrates an argument, the analysis engages significant intellectual debates, and the reasons for the overall positive review are plainly visible. The review offers criteria, opinions, and support with which the reader can agree or disagree.

Developing an assessment: before you write

There is no definitive method to writing a review, although some critical thinking about the work at hand is necessary before you actually begin writing. Thus, writing a review is a two-step process: developing an argument about the work under consideration, and making that argument as you write an organized and well-supported draft. See our  handout on argument .

What follows is a series of questions to focus your thinking as you dig into the work at hand. While the questions specifically consider book reviews, you can easily transpose them to an analysis of performances, exhibitions, and other review subjects. Don’t feel obligated to address each of the questions; some will be more relevant than others to the book in question.

• What is the thesis—or main argument—of the book?  If the author wanted you to get one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? What has the book accomplished?
• What exactly is the subject or topic of the book?  Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion? What is the approach to the subject (topical, analytical, chronological, descriptive)?
• How does the author support her argument?  What evidence does she use to prove her point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the author’s information (or conclusions) conflict with other books you’ve read, courses you’ve taken or just previous assumptions you had of the subject?
• How does the author structure her argument?  What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument make sense? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
• How has this book helped you understand the subject?  Would you recommend the book to your reader?

Beyond the internal workings of the book, you may also consider some information about the author and the circumstances of the text’s production:

• Who is the author?  Nationality, political persuasion, training, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. Does it matter, for example, that the biographer was the subject’s best friend? What difference would it make if the author participated in the events she writes about?
• What is the book’s genre?  Out of what field does it emerge? Does it conform to or depart from the conventions of its genre? These questions can provide a historical or literary standard on which to base your evaluations. If you are reviewing the first book ever written on the subject, it will be important for your readers to know. Keep in mind, though, that naming “firsts”—alongside naming “bests” and “onlys”—can be a risky business unless you’re absolutely certain.

Writing the review

Once you have made your observations and assessments of the work under review, carefully survey your notes and attempt to unify your impressions into a statement that will describe the purpose or thesis of your review. Check out our  handout on thesis statements . Then, outline the arguments that support your thesis.

Your arguments should develop the thesis in a logical manner. That logic, unlike more standard academic writing, may initially emphasize the author’s argument while you develop your own in the course of the review. The relative emphasis depends on the nature of the review: if readers may be more interested in the work itself, you may want to make the work and the author more prominent; if you want the review to be about your perspective and opinions, then you may structure the review to privilege your observations over (but never separate from) those of the work under review. What follows is just one of many ways to organize a review.

Introduction

Since most reviews are brief, many writers begin with a catchy quip or anecdote that succinctly delivers their argument. But you can introduce your review differently depending on the argument and audience. The Writing Center’s  handout on introductions  can help you find an approach that works.  In general, you should include:

• The name of the author and the book title and the main theme.
• Relevant details about who the author is and where he/she stands in the genre or field of inquiry. You could also link the title to the subject to show how the title explains the subject matter.
• The context of the book and/or your review. Placing your review in a framework that makes sense to your audience alerts readers to your “take” on the book. Perhaps you want to situate a book about the Cuban revolution in the context of Cold War rivalries between the United States and the Soviet Union. Another reviewer might want to consider the book in the framework of Latin American social movements. Your choice of context informs your argument.
• The thesis of the book. If you are reviewing fiction, this may be difficult since novels, plays, and short stories rarely have explicit arguments. But identifying the book’s particular novelty, angle, or originality allows you to show what specific contribution the piece is trying to make.
• Your thesis about the book.

Summary of content

This should be brief, as analysis takes priority. In the course of making your assessment, you’ll hopefully be backing up your assertions with concrete evidence from the book, so some summary will be dispersed throughout other parts of the review.

The necessary amount of summary also depends on your audience. Graduate students, beware! If you are writing book reviews for colleagues—to prepare for comprehensive exams, for example—you may want to devote more attention to summarizing the book’s contents. If, on the other hand, your audience has already read the book—such as a class assignment on the same work—you may have more liberty to explore more subtle points and to emphasize your own argument. See our  handout on summary  for more tips.

Analysis and evaluation of the book

Your analysis and evaluation should be organized into paragraphs that deal with single aspects of your argument. This arrangement can be challenging when your purpose is to consider the book as a whole, but it can help you differentiate elements of your criticism and pair assertions with evidence more clearly. You do not necessarily need to work chronologically through the book as you discuss it. Given the argument you want to make, you can organize your paragraphs more usefully by themes, methods, or other elements of the book. If you find it useful to include comparisons to other books, keep them brief so that the book under review remains in the spotlight. Avoid excessive quotation and give a specific page reference in parentheses when you do quote. Remember that you can state many of the author’s points in your own words.

Sum up or restate your thesis or make the final judgment regarding the book. You should not introduce new evidence for your argument in the conclusion. You can, however, introduce new ideas that go beyond the book if they extend the logic of your own thesis. This paragraph needs to balance the book’s strengths and weaknesses in order to unify your evaluation. Did the body of your review have three negative paragraphs and one favorable one? What do they all add up to? The Writing Center’s  handout on conclusions  can help you make a final assessment.

Finally, a few general considerations:

• Review the book in front of you, not the book you wish the author had written. You can and should point out shortcomings or failures, but don’t criticize the book for not being something it was never intended to be.
• With any luck, the author of the book worked hard to find the right words to express her ideas. You should attempt to do the same. Precise language allows you to control the tone of your review.
• Never hesitate to challenge an assumption, approach, or argument. Be sure, however, to cite specific examples to back up your assertions carefully.
• Try to present a balanced argument about the value of the book for its audience. You’re entitled—and sometimes obligated—to voice strong agreement or disagreement. But keep in mind that a bad book takes as long to write as a good one, and every author deserves fair treatment. Harsh judgments are difficult to prove and can give readers the sense that you were unfair in your assessment.

For further reading

A great place to learn about book reviews is to look at examples.  The New York Times Sunday Book Review  and  The New York Review of Books  can show you how professional writers review books.

Drewry, John. Writing Book Reviews. Boston: The Writer, 1974.

Literary Reviewing. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1987.

Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write Book Reports. 3rd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1998.

Walford, A.J., ed. Reviews and Reviewing: A Guide. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1986.

• Provided by : The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Located at : https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/ . License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives

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List of Descriptive Words and Phrases For Book Reviews

Negative Vocabulary Word List for Book Reviews (This List will be updated with definition soon)

a bore uninteresting or tedious talk or dull.

arrogant having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.

average having qualities that are seen as typical of a particular person or thing.

banal so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.

blasé unimpressed or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before.

blather talk long-windedly without making very much sense.

boring not interesting; tedious.

catastrophe the denouement of a drama, especially a classical tragedy.

childish silly and immature.

cliché a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.

common occurring, found, or done often; prevalent. not rare.

commonplace a book into which notable extracts from other works are copied for personal use.

conceited excessively proud of oneself; abilities, appearance, etc.; vain and egotistical.

confusing bewildering or perplexing. make (something) more complex or less easy to understand.

contrived created or arranged in a way that seems artificial and unrealistic.

copied make a similar or identical version of; reproduce.

crude simple and not skillfully done or made. (of figures) not adjusted or corrected. 

dated old-fashioned.

depressing causing or resulting in a feeling of miserable dejection.

disappointing failing to fulfill someone’s hopes or expectations.

disjointed lacking a coherent sequence or connection.

dissatisfying fail to satisfy (someone).

distracting preventing concentration or diverting attention; disturbing.

drab lacking brightness or interest; drearily dull.

dreadful causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad or serious.

drivel silly nonsense.

dry bare or lacking adornment. / forget one’s lines.

dull lacking interest or excitement.

empty lacking meaning or sincerity. / having no value or purpose.

ennui-inspiring ennui:  a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction: boredom.

esoteric intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialized knowledge or interest. obscure, cryptic, mysterious

needs editing A copy editor has the expertise needed to find and correct errors in spelling, grammar, continuity, flow, and punctuation.

obnoxious extremely unpleasant

obvious easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent

offensive actively aggressive; attacking

one-dimensional characters -The term one-dimensional character in a book review or story refers to a character who lacks depth and who never seems to learn or grow. When a character is one-dimensional, he or she does not demonstrate a sense of learning in the course of a story

-A one-dimensional character is one who does not have an arc throughout the story. They are the same at the end as they are at the beginning. Many characters in a typical novel or screenplay are one-dimensional. They fill small roles and are minor components that reflect the changes the main characters go through

overly-complicated overly difficult to understand or explain

overrated have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved

paper-thin plot insubstantial / lacking strength and solidity

pedestrian lacking inspiration or excitement; dull

poorly-conceived not carefully planned or considered, ill-conceived

poorly-executed not done correctly from a technical point of view

poorly-written -refers more to failings of technique than of concept synonym: carelessly, defectively, erroneously, faultily, imperfectly, inadequately, incorrectly, ineptly, poorly, shoddily, wrong, wrongly

predictable behaving or occurring in a way that is expected.

pretentious -attempting to impress by affecting greater importance -making usually unjustified or excessive claims

rambling -(of writing or speech) lengthy and confused or inconsequential -(of a person) traveling from place to place; wandering

raw -(of information) not analyzed, evaluated, or processed for use -frank and realistic in the depiction of unpleasant facts or situations

redundant -(of words or data) able to be omitted without loss of meaning or function -not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous

self-absorbed -preoccupied with one’s own feelings, interests, or situation -egocentric, egoistic. (also egoistical)

senseless lacking common sense; wildly foolish.

sentimentalized -treated, regarded, or portrayed in a sentimental way -(of a work of literature, music, or art) dealing with feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, typically in an exaggerated and self-indulgent way

skeletal development

stereotyped

frustrating

holes in the plot

implausible

in poor taste

inconsistent

inexperienced

intimidating

lacking literary merit

lacking talent

little character development

meaningless

misinformed

misunderstood

superficial

transparent

unaffecting

unapproachable

unconvincing

underwhelming

unimaginative

unimportant

unintelligent

uninteresting

unpracticed

unsatisfactory

unsatisfying

Words used to describe writing or speech style provided by Macmillan Dictionary.

articulate -able to express your thoughts, arguments, and ideas clearly and effectively -articulate writing or speech is clear and easy to understand

be couched in something to be expressed a particular way

chatty a chatty writing style is friendly and informal

circuitous taking a long time to say what you really mean when you are talking or writing about something

clean clean language or humor does not offend people, especially because it does not involve sex

compendious formal  short but containing all that is necessary

conversational a conversational style of writing or speaking is informal, like a private conversation

crisp crisp speech or writing is clear and effective

declamatory formal expressing feelings or opinions with great force

diffuse formal using too many words and not easy to understand

discursive including information that is not relevant to the main subject

economical an economical way of speaking or writing does not use more words than are necessary

elliptical suggesting what you mean rather than saying or writing it clearly

eloquent expressing what you mean using clear and effective language

emphatic making your meaning very clear because you have very strong feelings about a situation or subject

emphatically very firmly and clearly

epigrammatic expressing something such as a feeling or idea in a short and clever or funny way

epistolary literary  relating to the writing of letters

euphemistic euphemistic expressions are used for talking about unpleasant or embarrassing subjects without mentioning the things themselves

flowery flowery language or writing uses many complicated words that are intended to make it more attractive

fluent expressing yourself in a clear and confident way, without seeming to make an effort

formal correct or conservative in style, and suitable for official or serious situations or occasions

formally in a correct or conservative style or manner that is suitable for official or serious situations or occasions

gossipy a gossipy letter is lively and full of news about the writer of the letter and about other people

grandiloquent formal expressed in an extremely formal language in order to impress people, and often sounding silly because of this

have something/a lot/nothing etc to say for yourself to be fair/very/not at all keen to talk, especially about yourself and your reasons for doing something

idiomatic expressing things in a way that sounds natural

in using a particular type or style of writing

inarticulate not able to express clearly what you want to say

inarticulate not spoken or pronounced clearly

incoherent unable to express yourself clearly

informal used about language or behavior that is suitable for using with friends but not in formal situations

journalistic similar in style to journalism

learned a learned piece of writing shows great knowledge about a subject, especially an academic subject

literary involving books or the activity of writing, reading, or studying books

literary relating to the kind of words that are used only in stories or poems, and not in normal writing or speech

lyric using words to express feelings in the way that a song would

lyrical having the qualities of music

ornate using unusual words and complicated sentences

orotund very formal containing extremely formal and complicated language intended to impress people

parenthetical not directly connected with what you are saying or writing

pejorative formal a pejorative word, phrase, etc expresses criticism or a bad opinion of someone or something

picturesque picturesque language is unusual and interesting

pithy a pithy statement or piece of writing is short and very effective

poetic expressing ideas in a very sensitive way and with great beauty or imagination

polemical formal  using or supported by strong arguments

ponderous mainly literary  ponderous writing or speech is serious and boring

portentous formal  trying to seem very serious and important, in order to impress people

prolix very formal  using too many words and therefore boring

punchy a punchy piece of writing such as a speech, report, or slogan is one that has a strong effect because it uses clear simple language and not many words

rambling a rambling speech or piece of writing is long and confusing

readable writing that is readable is clear and able to be read

rhetorical -relating to a style of speaking or writing that is effective or intended to influence people -written or spoken in a way that is impressive but is not honest

rhetorically -in a way that expects or wants no answer -using or relating to rhetoric

rough a rough drawing or piece of writing is not completely finished

roundly in a strong and clear way

sententious -given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner. -formal expressing opinions about right and wrong behavior in a way that is intended to impress people

sesquipedalian very formal  using a lot of long words that most people do not understand

Shakespearean using words in the way that is typical of Shakespeare’s writing

slangy informal  containing or using a lot of slang

stylistic relating to ways of creating effects, especially in language and literature

succinct expressed in a very short but clear way

turgid using language in a way that is complicated and difficult to understand

unprintable used for describing writing or words that you think are offensive

vague does not clearly or fully explain something

vaguely in a way that is not clear

verbose formal  using more words than necessary, and therefore long and boring

well-turned a well-turned phrase is one that is expressed well

with tongue in cheek -intend it to be humorous and do not mean it seriously -in an ironic, flippant, or insincere way

worded expressed in a particular way

wordy using more words than are necessary, especially long or formal words

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2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews: Ready-to-Use Words and Phrases That Really Get Results Paperback – June 10, 2005

Purchase options and add-ons

This trusted reference puts thousands of ready-to-use words, phrases, descriptions, and action items right at your fingertips — perfect for review time, creating development plans, and monitoring performance year-round.

Whether you're an HR professional or a manager, chances are there's one task you really dislike: giving performance reviews. Even if you know the basic points you want to get across, finding the right words and committing them to paper is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist.

This phrasebook puts the right words in your hands with phrases that managers, supervisors, and HR professionals can use to help them properly evaluate performance and make the whole process much smoother.

In 2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews , renowned career expert Paul Falcone covers the 25 most commonly-rated performance factors including:

• productivity,
• time management,
• decision making, and more!

Falcone also shares job-specific parameters that apply in sales, customer service, finance, and many other areas and industries. 2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews is useful not just for review time but will also be instrumental in creating job descriptions and development plans as well as monitoring performance, progress, and problems year-round.

• Print length 224 pages
• Language English
• Publisher AMACOM
• Publication date June 10, 2005
• Dimensions 5.45 x 1.2 x 8.4 inches
• ISBN-10 9780814472828
• ISBN-13 978-0814472828
• See all details

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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

..".an enormously useful thesaurus of specific, concrete verbiage that will take you far, far beyond 'Meets/exceeds expectations.'"--Accounting Today

From the Back Cover

Whether you’re an HR professional or a manager, we know what you hate most about your job: giving performance reviews. Even if you know the basic points you want to get across, finding the right words and committing them to paper is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist. But this handy little book puts thousands of ready-to-use words, phrases, descriptions, and action items right at your fingertips! Falcone covers the 25 most commonly rated performance factors, including productivity, time management, teamwork, and decision making, plus job-specific parameters that apply in sales, customer service, finance, and many other areas.

Not just for review time, the book will also be instrumental in creating job descriptions and development plans, as well as for monitoring performance, progress, and problems year-round.

You know what you mean—here’s what to say.

Praise for Paul Falcone’s previous books:

“If the art and science of hiring and firing has become a puzzle, then author Paul Falcone [The Hiring and Firing Question and Answer Book] has the answer.”

—Houston Business Journal

“When you feel the need to document an employee’s actions (or inactions), turn to this great tool [101 Sample Write-Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems].”

—Legal Management

“[96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire] takes the guesswork out of the interview process.”

—Benefits and Compensation Solutions

About the Author

Paul Falcone is principal of the Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting, LLC, specializing in management and leadership training, executive coaching, international keynote speaking, and facilitating corporate offsite retreats. He is the former CHRO of Nickelodeon and has held senior-level HR positions with Paramount Pictures, Time Warner, and City of Hope. He has extensive experience in entertainment, healthcare/biotech, and financial services, including in international, nonprofit, and union environments.

Paul is the author of a number of books, many of which have been ranked as #1 Amazon bestsellers in the categories of human resources management, business and organizational learning, labor and employment law, business mentoring and coaching, business conflict resolution and mediation, communication in management, and business decision-making and problem-solving. His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Turkish.

Paul is a certified executive coach through the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching program, a long-term columnist for SHRM.org and HR Magazine, and an adjunct faculty member in UCLA Extension’s School of Business and Management. He is an accomplished keynote presenter, in-house trainer, and webinar facilitator in the areas of talent and performance management, leadership development, and effective leadership communication.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

How to Use This Book in Order to Save Time and Write Compelling Performance Appraisals

If you've purchased this book, you're serious about strengthening your written communication skills and developing your subordinates. The truth of the matter is that most performance reviews in corporate America are drafted without much thought and are submitted well after the deadline--not much of a motivational tool for workers longing for appreciation for a job well done. Yet taking the time to formally appraise employees' performance once a year has much more significance than many managers realize.

In poll after poll, workers rank pay fourth or fifth on the list of critical workplace factors--well below the critical areas of open communication and recognition for a job well done. American management teams fail to recognize the critical importance of ongoing feedback and staff development in employee retention matters--even when there are scarce dollars available for merit increase pools. The optimal leadership style provides ongoing feedback day in and day out on a regular and predictable basis. The best people managers realize that by shifting responsibility for employee performance evaluations back to their staff members, they take themselves out of the role of unilateral decision maker and disciplinarian and place themselves into the role of career mentor and coach.

In addition, managers who stand out among their peers recognize that the Development section of any performance appraisal is the most critical piece of the process because it constructs a blueprint for employee growth and learning. The learning curve is indeed the glue that binds people to companies. Despite small merit increase pools or opportunities for vertical promotion available in any company at any particular time, satisfied employees will perform at their best and remain loyal when they feel connected, sense that they make a difference at work, and add critical skills and experiences to their resumes.

They say that people "join companies and leave managers." It's also said that the difference between an active job seeker and a passive job seeker is one bad day in the office. If your most respected critic were to objectively evaluate your leadership abilities and staff development skills, how do you feel you would rank if were evaluated according to the following criteria:

* How effective are you at delegating to and motivating your staff?

* How consistent are you in putting their career and development needs above your own in a goodwill attempt to help them build their resumes and prepare for the next step in progression in their careers--at your company or elsewhere?

* How well do you address performance achievements and problems day in and day out so that subordinates understand what is expected of them and how success is measured in your group?

The annual performance appraisal process is the once-a-year validation that someone is making a positive difference--that their contributions over 365 days of work are formally recognized and celebrated. Yet, too many managers fill in annual appraisal forms in a perfunctory fashion, looking at the process as a bothersome, yet mandatory task. Enlightened managers, on the other hand, make their jobs much easier by delegating appropriately, listening attentively, and having fun at work. It's not that hard to transition to "enlightened management" status: All it takes is a willingness to rethink your role in your company, your influence over those you supervise, and your ability to bring out the best in others by motivating them to reach beyond their comfort zone.

Remember that motivation is internal. You're not responsible for motivating your staff, per se; people are responsible for motivating themselves. You are, however, responsible for creating a work environment in which people can motivate themselves and find new ways of reinventing their work in light of your company's changing needs. To that end, this book will serve as a handy time saver, a narrative assistant, and an insightful guide into new ways of recognizing and rewarding performance.

How to Use This Book

It is often the case that managers avoid or delay written communication tasks that may appear to be confrontational. Similar to a book I've written called 101 Sample Write-Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems: A Guide to Progressive Discipline and Termination , this book's key purpose is to help you find the right words and descriptive phrases to communicate your thoughts and perceptions in a concrete manner for specific situations.

In Part I, we'll address the most commonly rated performance factors, or "core competencies," that a majority of companies use to assess their workers. Included among the core competencies are the topics of "managerial style" and "personal style"--often the most difficult issues to describe in an annual performance review. The phrases in these sections fit a variety of interpersonal and managerial styles, commitment levels, pace, need for structure, emotional intelligence, and ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks. Refer to these sections any time you have a difficult time finding the right words to describe an individual's preferences, inclinations, peculiarities, or other outstanding features. You might just find a special way of phrasing something that, up to now, you've had a hard time identifying and describing in others.

For each of the commonly rated performance factors in Part I, we provide descriptive phrases that can be used to evaluate historical performance, organized in two sections:

Meets/Exceeds Expectations

Needs Improvement

For all of the core competencies we also provide a third section called "Goals." This section provides multiple examples of development plans for outlining key areas of future growth and learning. These phrases will help you structure your recommendations for employee improvement over the coming review period. As with the two other sections, you could simply use these statements "as is" or customize them for your particular needs.

Simply stated, forward-looking development plans give you a process to prevent future performance problems and to create an environment in which employees could motivate themselves. That, more than anything, will give you peace of mind and turn you into a motivator and coach rather than a unilateral disciplinarian and decision maker. Your employees will benefit too as they're given the freedom and discretion to self-monitor and self-correct in an empowered environment. There's no greater formula for enlightened leadership.

Whereas Part I covers general core competencies, in Part II we address the functional components of many common positions in Corporate America, including positions in sales, marketing, finance, legal, human resources, operations, information technology, and manufacturing. It is important to be able to benchmark particular functions and responsibilities that are common in such universal positions, and to address performance expectations for each.

There are four appendixes in the book. Appendixes A and B provide useful lists of high impact verbs and adverbs that will prompt you when finding just the right word tends to escape you. Appendix C is a brief discussion of merit increases and the five-point grading scale. Appendix D is a short index of the titles and roles that appear in this book.

In essence, in this book you have a handy library of practical, ready-to-use phrases that will help you acknowledge outstanding job performance, address substandard work quality, and outline developmental opportunities for your direct reports. In addition to saving time, you'll strengthen your self-confidence and distinguish yourself in writing as a leader and career builder.

The Performance Management Cycle

There are three components of the Performance Management Cycle:

1. Goal setting and planning

2. Ongoing feedback and coaching

3. Appraisal and reward

The annual performance appraisal clearly speaks to the third issue, but appraisal and reward can't be accomplished in a vacuum. That third stage is the culmination resulting from ongoing efforts in the first two stages. The performance management cycle is a continuum leading to a particular resolution in the final (third) step, but all three stages are intrinsically linked to the end result--the performance appraisal and associated merit increase (reward).

Annual performance appraisals are not meant to be a paper chase--a mandatory exercise that creates a snapshot of your impressions as a supervisor about a subordinate's work. Instead, they should be a collaborative effort that builds on open communication and constant feedback. Thus, investing in goal setting should be a two-way communication: Employees who have advanced input into their own career development will typically buy in to the suggestions much more readily than when those goals are imposed from above. And remember, no matter how "perfectly written" these goals are on the actual performance appraisal form, they'll be useless without ongoing communication throughout the review period.

So keep a copy of each of your staff member's annual reviews in your desk, and make sure they do the same. Develop a habit of reviewing the status of performance achievement and skills development on a quarterly basis. You'll find that your business relationships will be focused, you'll never again feel like you're flying blind, and your subordinates will have less of a need for ongoing supervision.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0814472826
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ AMACOM; 39256th edition (June 10, 2005)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780814472828
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0814472828
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 1.2 x 8.4 inches
• #34 in Human Resources & Personnel Management (Books)
• #81 in Communication Skills
• #239 in Business Management (Books)

About the author

Paul falcone.

Paul Falcone (www.PaulFalconeHR.com) is principal of Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting, LLC, specializing in management & leadership training, executive coaching, international keynote speaking, and HR advisory services. He is the former CHRO of Nickelodeon and has held senior-level HR positions with Paramount Pictures, Time Warner, and City of Hope. He has extensive experience in entertainment, healthcare/biotech, and financial services, including in international, nonprofit, and union environments.

Paul is the author of a number of bestselling HarperCollins Leadership, AMACOM, and SHRM Books, many of which have been ranked as #1 Amazon bestsellers in the categories of human resources management, labor & employment law, business conflict resolution and mediation, business mentoring & coaching, communication in management, business and organizational learning, and business decision-making and problem-solving. His books have been translated into Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Turkish.

Paul is a certified executive coach through the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching program, a long-term columnist for SHRM.org and HR Magazine, and an adjunct faculty member in UCLA Extension’s School of Business and Management. He is an accomplished keynote presenter, inhouse trainer, and webinar facilitator in the areas of talent and performance management, leadership development, and effective leadership communication.

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100 Best Performance Review Phrases and Examples in 2024

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Have you ever found yourself struggling to provide meaningful feedback during performance reviews? Whether you're a seasoned manager or new to the role, navigating the intricacies of performance evaluations can be challenging. That's where performance review phrases come in. They're like the building blocks of effective feedback, helping you communicate strengths, areas for improvement, and goals for development in a clear and constructive manner.

In this guide, we'll explore the top performance review phrases and examples across key competencies such as communication skills, leadership abilities, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, job knowledge, and interpersonal skills. From recognizing exceptional performance to addressing underperformance with empathy and professionalism, these phrases will empower you to conduct performance reviews with confidence and inspire growth and development in your team members.

What is a Performance Review?

A performance review, also known as a performance appraisal or evaluation, is a formal assessment conducted by employers to evaluate an employee's job performance and provide feedback on their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. It is typically conducted on a regular basis, such as annually or semi-annually, and involves a discussion between the employee and their supervisor or manager.

During a performance review, various aspects of the employee's performance are assessed, including their job responsibilities, skills, achievements, and behaviors. The purpose of the review is to provide employees with feedback on their performance, recognize their contributions, and align their goals with the objectives of the organization.

Performance reviews serve as a valuable tool for both employees and employers to promote growth, development, and accountability within the organization. They provide employees with an opportunity to receive feedback on their performance, set goals for improvement, and discuss career development opportunities. For employers, performance reviews help identify top performers, address performance issues, and make informed decisions about promotions, raises, and training opportunities.

Importance of Performance Reviews

• Feedback and Recognition : Performance reviews provide employees with valuable feedback on their performance, helping them understand their strengths and areas for improvement. They also serve as an opportunity to recognize and reward employees for their achievements and contributions.
• Goal Setting and Alignment : Performance reviews allow employees and managers to set goals that are aligned with the organization's objectives. By setting clear expectations and objectives, employees can focus their efforts on tasks that contribute to the overall success of the organization.
• Professional Development : Performance reviews facilitate professional development by identifying areas where employees can improve their skills and knowledge. They also provide opportunities for training, coaching, and mentorship to help employees reach their full potential.
• Communication and Engagement : Performance reviews promote open communication and dialogue between employees and managers, fostering a culture of transparency and trust. They provide a structured framework for discussing concerns, addressing issues, and building stronger working relationships.
• Performance Management : Performance reviews are an essential component of performance management systems, allowing employers to assess employee performance, identify high performers, and address performance issues in a timely manner.

Purpose of Using Performance Review Phrases

• Standardization : Performance review phrases provide a standardized framework for evaluating employee performance, ensuring consistency and fairness in the evaluation process.
• Clarity and Specificity : Performance review phrases help managers communicate feedback in a clear and specific manner, using language that is easy to understand and actionable.
• Objectivity : Performance review phrases help maintain objectivity in the evaluation process by focusing on observable behaviors and outcomes rather than subjective opinions or biases.
• Efficiency : Performance review phrases save time and effort for managers by providing pre-written templates and examples that can be customized to fit the specific needs of each employee.
• Employee Development : Performance review phrases serve as a guide for identifying areas where employees can improve their performance and develop new skills. They provide constructive feedback and suggestions for growth and development.

How to Construct Performance Review Phrases?

Crafting performance review phrases is a skill that requires a deep understanding of the purpose behind performance evaluations and the ability to provide constructive feedback. Let's explore how you can construct effective performance review phrases to inspire growth and development in your employees.

The Purpose of Performance Reviews

Performance reviews serve as a crucial tool for evaluating employee performance, identifying areas for improvement, recognizing achievements, and aligning individual goals with organizational objectives. By understanding the purpose of performance reviews, you can approach the process with clarity and intentionality.

During performance evaluations, you have the opportunity to assess employees' progress, provide feedback on their performance, and set expectations for future growth. It's essential to recognize that performance reviews are not just about evaluating past performance but also about charting a course for ongoing development and success.

Setting Clear Expectations

Setting clear expectations is fundamental to the performance review process. Employees need to know what is expected of them in terms of job responsibilities, performance standards, and goals. When setting expectations, it's essential to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Clearly defined expectations provide employees with a roadmap for success and give them a clear understanding of how their performance will be evaluated. Additionally, setting expectations helps reduce ambiguity and confusion, enabling employees to focus their efforts on tasks that align with organizational priorities.

Providing Constructive Feedback

Constructive feedback is a cornerstone of effective performance reviews. It involves providing specific, actionable feedback that helps employees understand their strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for growth. When providing feedback, it's crucial to focus on behaviors and outcomes rather than personal attributes.

Constructive feedback should be balanced, highlighting both areas of strength and areas for development. The goal is to provide feedback that motivates employees to improve while also reinforcing positive behaviors and achievements. Remember to deliver feedback in a timely manner and in a manner that is respectful and supportive.

Maintaining Objectivity

Maintaining objectivity is essential when conducting performance reviews. It's essential to base your assessments on measurable data, observable behaviors, and performance standards rather than personal biases or assumptions. Objectivity helps ensure fairness and consistency in the evaluation process.

To maintain objectivity, focus on specific examples and evidence to support your assessments. Avoid making subjective judgments or generalizations based on personal opinions. By remaining objective, you can ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly and accurately, fostering trust and credibility within the organization.

Tailoring Feedback to Individual Employees

Every employee is unique, with their own strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development. As such, it's essential to tailor feedback to individual employees based on their specific needs and circumstances. Take into account factors such as personality, work style, and career aspirations when providing feedback.

Tailoring feedback involves understanding each employee's preferences, communication style, and motivators. Some employees may respond well to direct feedback, while others may prefer a more collaborative approach. By adapting your feedback style to suit the individual needs of each employee, you can maximize its effectiveness and impact.

Top 100 Performance Review Phrases

Performance review phrases are powerful tools for providing feedback to employees in a constructive and meaningful way. Here are some examples of performance review phrases categorized by key competencies.

Communication Skills

Verbal communication.

• Exceeds Expectations : Demonstrates exceptional verbal communication skills, effectively articulating ideas and concepts with clarity and confidence.
• Meets Expectations : Communicates effectively during team meetings and presentations, ensuring that key messages are understood by all participants.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to convey ideas clearly during verbal communication, leading to misunderstandings or confusion among team members.
• Requires Development : Needs to work on projecting confidence and authority during verbal communication, particularly in high-pressure situations.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently struggles to communicate verbally, leading to disruptions in team communication and delays in project execution.

Written Communication

• Exceeds Expectations : Produces high-quality written materials, such as reports and documentation, that are well-structured, concise, and free from errors.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates proficiency in written communication, conveying information effectively through emails, memos, and other written channels.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally makes grammatical or spelling errors in written communication, requiring careful proofreading and editing.
• Requires Development : Needs to work on organizing written content more effectively to improve readability and comprehension among readers.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently produces written materials that are unclear or difficult to understand, leading to confusion and misinterpretation among stakeholders.

Listening Skills

• Exceeds Expectations : Actively listens to colleagues' perspectives and demonstrates empathy and understanding during one-on-one discussions.
• Meets Expectations : Listens attentively during team meetings and discussions, demonstrating respect for others' opinions and viewpoints.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally appears distracted or disengaged during conversations, leading to misunderstandings or missed opportunities to collaborate effectively.
• Requires Development : Needs to practice active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions, to demonstrate deeper understanding and engagement.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently interrupts or talks over others during conversations, demonstrating a lack of respect for their opinions and ideas.

Leadership Skills

Decision making.

• Exceeds Expectations : Makes well-informed decisions based on thorough analysis, weighing the potential risks and benefits carefully before taking action.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates good judgment and decisiveness in making decisions, considering the available information and consulting with relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally hesitates or procrastinates when making decisions, leading to delays or missed opportunities for progress.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop a more systematic approach to decision making, considering all relevant factors and potential consequences before reaching a conclusion.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently makes impulsive or ill-informed decisions without considering the potential impact on the team or organization.
• Exceeds Expectations : Effectively delegates tasks and responsibilities, empowering team members to take ownership and initiative in their work.
• Meets Expectations : Delegates tasks appropriately, matching assignments to team members' skills and capabilities while providing clear instructions and support.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to delegate tasks effectively, either micromanaging or delegating too much responsibility without adequate guidance.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop trust in team members' abilities and delegate more tasks to promote their professional growth and development.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently fails to delegate tasks, leading to overwork and burnout among team members and missed opportunities for skill development.
• Exceeds Expectations : Inspires and motivates team members to achieve their best, leading by example and fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for the work, encouraging team members to stay engaged and committed to achieving shared goals.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally appears disengaged or demotivated, affecting team morale and productivity.
• Requires Development : Needs to work on boosting team morale and motivation, perhaps by recognizing and rewarding individual and team achievements more consistently.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently displays a negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm, impacting team morale and cohesion negatively.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Contributing to team goals.

• Exceeds Expectations : Actively contributes to team projects and initiatives, going above and beyond to ensure the team's success.
• Meets Expectations : Collaborates effectively with team members to achieve shared goals and objectives, sharing ideas and expertise to drive progress.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally works independently without seeking input or feedback from team members, leading to missed opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
• Requires Development : Needs to actively seek opportunities to collaborate with team members, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and skills in achieving shared goals.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently fails to contribute to team projects or initiatives, impacting team cohesion and performance negatively.

Building Positive Relationships

• Exceeds Expectations : Builds strong and trusting relationships with colleagues, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
• Meets Expectations : Establishes positive working relationships with colleagues, communicating openly and respectfully to promote collaboration and teamwork.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally clashes with colleagues or struggles to build rapport, leading to tension or conflicts within the team.
• Requires Development : Needs to work on improving interpersonal skills, such as active listening and conflict resolution, to build stronger and more positive relationships with colleagues.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently exhibits behavior that undermines trust or respect among colleagues, creating a toxic or hostile work environment.

Resolving Conflict

• Exceeds Expectations : Handles conflicts calmly and tactfully, facilitating open and honest communication to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Meets Expectations : Resolves conflicts effectively, addressing underlying issues and finding common ground to maintain positive working relationships.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally avoids or escalates conflicts rather than addressing them directly, leading to unresolved tension or resentment among team members.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop conflict resolution skills, such as active listening and negotiation, to address conflicts constructively and prevent escalation.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently exacerbates conflicts or takes sides, worsening the situation and damaging relationships within the team.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Analytical skills.

• Exceeds Expectations : Analyzes complex problems systematically, breaking them down into manageable components to identify root causes and develop innovative solutions.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates strong analytical skills, gathering and evaluating data to make informed decisions and solve problems effectively.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally overlooks important details or fails to consider alternative solutions when analyzing problems, leading to suboptimal outcomes.
• Requires Development : Needs to improve analytical skills, such as data interpretation and pattern recognition, to solve complex problems more efficiently.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently struggles to analyze problems or make decisions, relying on intuition or guesswork rather than evidence-based reasoning.
• Exceeds Expectations : Generates innovative ideas and solutions to complex problems, thinking outside the box to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates creativity and originality in approaching problems and challenges, exploring different perspectives and possibilities to find solutions.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally relies on conventional or tried-and-tested approaches when solving problems, missing opportunities for innovation or improvement.
• Requires Development : Needs to cultivate a more creative mindset, exploring new ideas and perspectives to generate innovative solutions to challenges.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently lacks creativity or originality in problem-solving, leading to stagnation or missed opportunities for improvement.

Adaptability

• Exceeds Expectations : Adapts quickly to changing circumstances and environments, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in the face of challenges.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates adaptability and agility in responding to changes or unexpected developments, adjusting plans and strategies as needed to achieve goals.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to adapt to changes or transitions, clinging to familiar routines or methods rather than embracing new opportunities.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop greater flexibility and openness to change, recognizing that adaptation is essential for growth and success in a dynamic environment.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently resists or rejects change, hindering progress and innovation within the team or organization.

Time Management and Organization

Meeting deadlines.

• Exceeds Expectations : Consistently meets or exceeds project deadlines, effectively managing time and resources to ensure timely delivery of results.
• Meets Expectations : Completes tasks and projects on time, demonstrating reliability and accountability in meeting deadlines.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally misses deadlines due to poor time management or prioritization, leading to delays or rushed work.
• Requires Development : Needs to improve time management skills, such as setting priorities and managing distractions, to meet deadlines consistently.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently fails to meet deadlines, causing disruptions or delays in project timelines and impacting team performance negatively.

Prioritization

• Exceeds Expectations : Prioritizes tasks effectively, focusing on high-impact activities and allocating resources efficiently to achieve goals.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates good judgment in prioritizing tasks, balancing competing demands to ensure that critical objectives are met.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to prioritize tasks, leading to inefficiencies or missed opportunities for progress.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop better prioritization skills, such as identifying urgent versus important tasks and allocating time and resources accordingly.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently fails to prioritize tasks effectively, leading to bottlenecks, overload, or burnout.

Planning and Execution

• Exceeds Expectations : Develops detailed action plans and executes them with precision, anticipating potential obstacles and proactively addressing them to ensure success.
• Meets Expectations : Plans and executes tasks and projects effectively, following established processes and procedures to achieve desired outcomes.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally lacks clarity or direction in planning and executing tasks, leading to confusion or inefficiencies.
• Requires Development : Needs to improve planning and execution skills, such as setting realistic goals and timelines and breaking down tasks into manageable steps.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently fails to plan or execute tasks effectively, leading to disorganization, missed deadlines, or subpar results.

Job Knowledge and Expertise

Mastery of core competencies.

• Exceeds Expectations : Demonstrates mastery of core competencies required for the role, consistently delivering high-quality work that exceeds expectations.
• Meets Expectations : Possesses a solid understanding of key concepts and principles relevant to the role, performing tasks competently and efficiently.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally demonstrates gaps in knowledge or proficiency in core competencies, requiring additional training or support to perform effectively.
• Requires Development : Needs to deepen understanding and expertise in core competencies through training, self-study, or hands-on experience.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently lacks proficiency in core competencies, leading to errors, inefficiencies, or substandard performance.

Continual Learning and Growth

• Exceeds Expectations : Actively seeks opportunities for learning and development, proactively seeking out new challenges and experiences to expand knowledge and skills.
• Meets Expectations : Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and development, participating in training programs and seeking feedback to improve performance.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally appears disengaged or uninterested in learning new skills or expanding knowledge, missing opportunities for growth and development.
• Requires Development : Needs to cultivate a growth mindset, embracing challenges and seeking out opportunities for learning and skill development.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently resists or rejects opportunities for learning and growth, hindering personal and professional development.

Applying Knowledge Effectively

• Exceeds Expectations : Applies theoretical knowledge to practical situations effectively, demonstrating creativity and innovation in solving problems and achieving objectives.
• Meets Expectations : Utilizes knowledge and expertise to perform tasks and projects competently, applying best practices and industry standards to achieve desired outcomes.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, requiring guidance or support to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop the ability to apply knowledge more effectively, perhaps through additional training, mentoring, or hands-on experience.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently fails to apply knowledge or expertise effectively, leading to errors, inefficiencies, or suboptimal outcomes.

Interpersonal Skills

Empathy and emotional intelligence.

• Exceeds Expectations : Demonstrates a high level of empathy and emotional intelligence, showing sensitivity to the feelings and perspectives of others and fostering positive relationships.
• Meets Expectations : Displays empathy and emotional intelligence in interactions with colleagues, showing understanding and compassion in challenging situations.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to empathize with others or understand their emotions, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts.
• Requires Development : Needs to cultivate greater empathy and emotional intelligence, perhaps through empathy training or practicing active listening and perspective-taking.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently lacks empathy or emotional intelligence in interactions with others, leading to strained relationships and poor teamwork.

Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

• Exceeds Expectations : Resolves conflicts and negotiates effectively, finding win-win solutions that address the needs and interests of all parties involved.
• Meets Expectations : Handles conflicts and negotiations with professionalism and diplomacy, seeking common ground and reaching mutually acceptable agreements.
• Needs Improvement : Occasionally struggles to resolve conflicts or negotiate effectively, leading to prolonged disputes or unsatisfactory outcomes.
• Requires Development : Needs to develop stronger conflict resolution and negotiation skills, perhaps through training or seeking guidance from experienced mentors.
• Unsatisfactory : Frequently escalates conflicts or fails to reach satisfactory agreements, leading to tensions and strained relationships within the team or organization.

How to Deliver Performance Reviews?

Delivering performance reviews is a critical responsibility for managers and leaders. It's a time to provide feedback, set goals, and foster growth in your team members. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate this process effectively.

Preparation and Planning

Preparation is key to conducting successful performance reviews. Take the time to gather relevant information, including performance data, feedback from colleagues, and any documentation related to the employee's work. Review the employee's goals and objectives to assess their progress and achievements.

Consider scheduling the performance review well in advance and ensure that you have enough time allocated for a thorough discussion. Create a structured agenda for the meeting, outlining the topics you plan to cover and any questions you want to ask. Being well-prepared demonstrates your commitment to the process and sets the stage for a productive discussion.

Creating a Positive Environment

Creating a positive environment is essential for fostering open communication and trust during performance reviews. Choose a comfortable and private setting for the meeting where both you and the employee can feel at ease. Start the review on a positive note by acknowledging the employee's contributions and achievements.

Use positive language and tone throughout the discussion, focusing on strengths as well as areas for improvement. Encourage the employee to share their thoughts and feedback openly, and listen actively to their perspective. By creating a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere, you can help the employee feel valued and motivated to engage in the review process.

Active Listening

Active listening is a crucial skill during performance reviews. Listen attentively to the employee's feedback, concerns, and questions, and demonstrate empathy and understanding. Avoid interrupting or rushing the employee and give them ample opportunity to express themselves fully.

Ask open-ended questions to encourage the employee to elaborate on their experiences and perspectives. Paraphrase and summarize their points to ensure clarity and demonstrate that you are genuinely engaged in the conversation. By actively listening to the employee, you can gain valuable insights into their motivations, challenges, and goals, which can inform your feedback and coaching.

Providing Specific Examples

Providing specific examples is essential for making your feedback actionable and meaningful. Instead of making vague statements, use concrete examples and evidence to illustrate your points. Highlight specific behaviors, achievements, and areas for improvement, and explain how they have impacted performance.

For example, instead of saying, "You need to improve your communication skills," you could say, "During the recent project meeting, your lack of clarity in explaining the project timeline caused confusion among team members." Providing specific examples helps the employee understand exactly what behaviors or actions need to change and gives them a clear direction for improvement.

Setting SMART Goals for Improvement

Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals is a powerful way to help employees improve their performance. Work collaboratively with the employee to establish goals that are aligned with their role, skills, and career aspirations. Ensure that each goal is clear, quantifiable, and achievable within a reasonable timeframe.

For example, if an employee needs to improve their time management skills, a SMART goal could be: "By the end of the quarter, reduce the average time spent on non-essential tasks by 20% to prioritize high-impact projects." Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, and provide support and resources to help the employee achieve them.

By setting SMART goals for improvement, you can empower employees to take ownership of their development and track their progress over time. Regularly revisit and reassess goals during follow-up discussions to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with the employee's evolving needs and priorities.

How to Handle Difficult Conversations during Performance Reviews?

Performance reviews sometimes involve addressing challenging situations, such as underperformance or emotional reactions from employees. Here are some strategies to help you navigate these difficult conversations effectively.

Addressing Underperformance

Addressing underperformance is one of the most challenging aspects of performance reviews, but it's essential for fostering growth and improvement in your team members. When addressing underperformance, approach the conversation with empathy and a focus on solutions rather than blame.

Start by clearly outlining the areas where the employee is falling short and provide specific examples to illustrate your points. Be direct but tactful in your feedback, focusing on behaviors and outcomes rather than personal characteristics. Encourage the employee to share their perspective and any obstacles they may be facing.

Work collaboratively with the employee to develop a performance improvement plan that includes specific goals, timelines, and support mechanisms. Offer coaching, training, or mentorship opportunities to help the employee develop the skills they need to succeed. Regularly monitor progress and provide ongoing feedback and support to ensure that the employee stays on track.

Handling Emotional Reactions

Emotional reactions are common during performance reviews, especially when discussing sensitive topics such as underperformance or areas for improvement. When faced with emotional reactions from employees, it's essential to remain calm, empathetic, and professional.

Acknowledge the employee's emotions and validate their feelings, even if you may not agree with them. Let the employee express themselves fully without interruption, and actively listen to their concerns. Use empathetic language and non-verbal cues, such as nodding and maintaining eye contact, to convey understanding and support.

Redirect the focus of the conversation back to constructive solutions and next steps once the employee has had the opportunity to express themselves. Offer reassurance and encouragement, emphasizing that the goal of the performance review is to support their development and success. If necessary, take a break from the discussion to allow the employee time to collect themselves before resuming.

Offering Support and Resources

Offering support and resources is essential for helping employees address performance issues and overcome challenges. Be proactive in offering assistance and guidance to employees who may be struggling, and provide access to relevant resources and support networks.

Offer coaching, mentoring, or training opportunities to help employees develop the skills they need to succeed. Provide access to counseling services or employee assistance programs for employees who may be experiencing personal or emotional difficulties that are impacting their performance.

Regularly check in with employees to assess their progress and offer ongoing support and encouragement. Be approachable and available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed. By offering support and resources, you demonstrate your commitment to the employee's success and well-being.

Documenting Performance Discussions

Documenting performance discussions is essential for maintaining a record of employee performance, feedback, and goals. Keep detailed notes of the key points discussed during performance reviews, including any agreements reached and action plans established.

Ensure that performance documentation is accurate, objective, and free from personal biases or assumptions. Use specific examples and evidence to support your assessments and recommendations. Keep performance records confidential and securely stored in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.

Documenting performance discussions provides a valuable record for future reference and helps ensure consistency and fairness in the evaluation process. It also provides a basis for tracking progress over time and identifying patterns or trends in employee performance. Regularly review and update performance documentation as needed to reflect changes in employee performance or goals.

Mastering the art of performance review phrases is an essential skill for any manager or leader. By using the right phrases effectively, you can provide valuable feedback that motivates and empowers your team members to reach their full potential. Whether you're recognizing achievements, addressing areas for improvement, or setting goals for development, these phrases serve as a powerful tool for fostering growth and success within your organization.

Remember, effective performance reviews are not just about delivering feedback; they're about building trust, fostering open communication, and supporting the ongoing development of your team. By utilizing the top performance review phrases and examples outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your performance reviews are productive, meaningful, and beneficial for both you and your employees. So, embrace the opportunity to provide feedback that inspires positive change and drives excellence in your organization.

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Books | Best Sellers

About the best sellers - april 21, 2024.

This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only.

A version of this Best Sellers report appears in the April 21, 2024 issue of The New York Times Book Review . Rankings on weekly lists reflect sales for the week ending April 6, 2024 .

Rankings reflect unit sales reported on a confidential basis by vendors offering a wide range of general interest titles published in the United States. Every week, thousands of diverse selling locations report their actual sales on hundreds of thousands of individual titles. The panel of reporting retailers is comprehensive and reflects sales in tens of thousands of stores of all sizes and demographics across the United States.

The book selling universe is comprised of well-established vendors as well as emerging ones. The sales venues for print books include national, regional and local chains representing tens of thousands of storefronts; many hundreds of independent book retailers; scores of online and multimedia entertainment retailers; supermarkets, university, gift and big-box department stores; and newsstands.

E-book rankings reflect sales from leading online vendors of e-books in a variety of popular e-reader formats and are included in our combined fiction, combined nonfiction, advice, children's series and monthly lists. Titles are included regardless of whether they are published in both print and electronic formats or just one format. In general, publisher credits for e-books are listed under the corporate publishing name instead of by publisher's division or imprint, unless by special request. Graphic book rankings include all print and digital formats. Adult, children's, young adult, fiction and nonfiction graphic books are eligible for inclusion on the graphic books and manga list. Audiobook rankings are created from sales of physical and digital audio products. Free-trial or low-cost audiobook sales are not eligible for inclusion. Publisher credits for audiobooks are listed under the audiobook publisher name.

The appearance of a ranked title reflects the fact that sales data from reporting vendors has been provided to The Times and has satisfied commonly accepted industry standards of universal identification (such as ISBN13 and EISBN13 codes). All identities, anecdotal, contextual, and other information about the retail sales of any title, as well as overall sales data, are provided with the expectation and assurance of confidentiality by every vendor and are protected by Non-Disclosure Agreements.

Sales are defined as completed transactions by vendors and individual end users during the period on or after the official publication date of a title. Institutional, special interest, group or bulk purchases, if and when they are included, are at the discretion of The New York Times Best-Seller List Desk editors based on standards for inclusion that encompass proprietary vetting and audit protocols, corroborative reporting and other statistical determinations. When included, such bulk purchases appear with a dagger (†).

Publishers and vendors of all ranked titles must conform in a timely fashion to The New York Times Best-Seller Lists requirement to allow for examination and independent corroboration of their reported sales for that week. Sales are statistically weighted to represent and accurately reflect all outlets proportionally nationwide. An asterisk (*) indicates that a book's sales are barely distinguishable from those of the book above.

Among the categories not actively tracked at this time are: perennial sellers, required classroom reading, textbooks, reference and test preparation guides, e-books available exclusively from a single vendor, journals, workbooks, calorie counters, shopping guides, periodicals and crossword puzzles.

The New York Times Best Sellers are compiled and archived by The Best-Seller Lists Desk of The New York Times News Department, and are separate from the Editorial, Culture, Advertising and Business sides of The New York Times Company.

If you are a book retailer interested in reporting your store's weekly sales to The New York Times Best-Seller Lists, send a request here .

Please direct other questions and feedback to [email protected] .

The New York Times Book Review

A stunning visual celebration of black rodeo.

A new photo book reorients dusty notions of a classic American pastime.

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Weekly Best Sellers Lists

• Combined Print & E-Book Fiction
• Hardcover Fiction
• Paperback Trade Fiction
• Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction
• Hardcover Nonfiction
• Paperback Nonfiction
• Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous
• Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover
• Children’s Picture Books
• Children’s & Young Adult Series
• Young Adult Hardcover

Monthly Best Sellers Lists

Article updated on April 19, 2024 at 2:42 AM PDT

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Review: Getting Work Done for Less

Not that you can't use it for entertainment, but Acer's compact, lightweight 14-inch Chromebook is just right for school and home office use.

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• More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-4HT-359X)

• Long battery life
• Excellent webcam performance
• Bright, matte touchscreen
• Durable build
• No keyboard backlight
• Lots of flex on the keyboard, touchpad
• Slower 5Gbps USB-C ports

Just about all the Acer Chromebooks -- from basic to premium -- I've tested over the years are recommendable, and the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-4H/T) is no different. It meets all the requirements to be stamped as a Chromebook Plus model, delivers good performance and even better battery life. It has a respectably bright display with a matte finish to limit glare. And it has more storage than you'd typically find at its $400 starting price. It's a simple, sturdy Chromebook for school, work or home. And, once again, it's easy to recommend. 

Acer offers a few configurations of the 514. I'm reviewing a CB514-4H/T , specifically the CB514-4HT-359X. It has a 16:9 display and two USB-C ports, but no HDMI display out. The configuration I tested is $400 and includes a protective sleeve. It's exclusive to Costco, available in-store and online starting April 22. And although mine didn't have one, there will be versions of the 514 with a backlit keyboard. 

The CB514-4HT-375Z, which is the same configuration as the 359X sans protective sleeve, will be available from Acer and on Amazon for $400 in May. Other configurations will be available direct from Acer and elsewhere as well. Models with a T in the model number mean it has a touchscreen. 

The Chromebook Plus 514  CB514-3H/T initially launched last year with AMD processors instead of Intel. That version also has a 16:10 display ratio, so taller, not wider, and has an HDMI output but only one USB-C port. The starting price is also $400 but can be found for $300 on sale; I won't be surprised if that's eventually true for the CB514-4H/T, too. 

Acer put a USB-C port on each side of the Intel 514 for high-speed charging from the right or left. 

About Chromebook Plus

As Google's ChromeOS has evolved, Chromebooks have grown right along with it. They now range from basic models for less than $200 to premium options up to $1,000. It can make shopping for one to fit your needs a headache, especially if you're on a budget. To simplify the process, Google introduced the Chromebook Plus category. 

With Chromebook Plus, you're guaranteed to get at least the following specs, with a starting price of $399:

• 12th-gen Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 processor or better
• 8GB or more of memory
• 128GB or more of storage
• 1080p IPS LCD or better
• 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction

You'll find Chromebook Plus models with better specs than these, such as a faster processor or more memory. But at least you know that if you see Plus in the name, you're getting features and performance that won't disappoint. Chromebook Plus models also come with three months of Adobe Photoshop on the web and Adobe Express, three months of Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service and 25% off  LumaFusion's video-editing suite . 

Performance and battery life 

Again, the Chromebook Plus specs mean you'll get at least an Intel Core i3 processor, which is better than what you'll typically find in lower-end models. However, not all Core i3 processors are the same. The first three Chromebook Plus models we tested had Core i3 U-series processors, which have two performance cores, or P-cores, designed for raw speed. 

The 514's hinge design lifts the rear of the Chromebook for a better typing angle and cooling.

The Core i3-N305 used in this 514 trades the P-cores for additional efficient cores, unsurprisingly designed for efficiency and better for smaller operations and background tasks. The result is slower performance compared to the U-series chips. For basic productivity work, you're unlikely to notice. I certainly didn't. The N305 is not as capable with more demanding tasks, however. Its P-cores and E-cores split up the work demands, using the latter to handle background tasks. You can see the results of our benchmark testing at the end of the review. 

The positive is you get better battery life. Acer claimed up to 11 hours, and the Chromebook Plus 514 ran for 11 hours and 1 minute on our video streaming battery rundown test. Battery time always comes down to what you're doing, and in my anecdotal testing, you can expect between 7 to 8 hours of general use. Plus, it does recharge quickly via USB-C. (The USB-C ports are 3.2 Gen 1, though, limiting their transfer speed to 5 Gbps.) 

It might be all plastic, but at least the lid treatment gives this Chromebook some visual interest. 

Design and features

The Chromebook Plus specs don't outright include anything about design, but the models have looked good. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is all plastic, making it relatively lightweight at 3.2 pounds (1.5 kilograms). Its two-tone lid has a brushed finish to class things up. The rest of it is just smooth gray plastic with a darker gray bezel around the display. A notch runs the length of the base at the front to make opening it a little easier. 

When lifted back, the display is hinged in a way that lifts the rear for a slightly better typing angle and cooling. The grilles of the upward-firing speakers frame the keyboard nicely. The speakers sound pretty thin, though -- clear and not entirely unpleasant, but with just a whisper of low-end. You'll probably want external speakers or headphones most of the time.

 Chromebook Plus models have screen backgrounds that change from day to night.

Similarly, the built-in dual mics get the job done but are nothing special. My voice sounded clear to everyone I spoke with, though one person said I sounded stuffy (it is allergy season). The webcam, on the other hand, is remarkably good, even in low light. It's a 1080p camera, as promised, and in good lighting the video looks sharp and detailed. 

In low light or when backlit, there are settings to brighten your shot and reframe you, too, if you happen to move around. Although the picture does soften in dim lighting, the noise is generally kept in check. Also, there's a physical privacy slider so you can instantly block the lens.

The 14-inch full-HD display is, like the rest of the package, simply good. My review model has touch, which is a nice extra, especially with the screen's matte finish. Combined with its 300-nit brightness, you can actually use the display in bright conditions and still see what you're working on. Although my preference is for a 16:10 display for work, if you're considering this for work and streaming video or cloud gaming, this model's 16:9 ratio is a better fit. 

The keyboard and touchpad are serviceable. The keys have a decent amount of travel and a pleasing tactile pop to them. It's not backlit, but it is an option Acer offers, so you just need to track down a model with it. The touchpad has a smooth glass-like feel and is adequately responsive. Like many hinged touchpads, there's a dead zone for clicks at the very top. Also, there's a noticeable amount of flex in the keyboard and touchpad. It doesn't bother me, though, and doesn't seem indicative of the system's overall durability. In fact, Acer says it's been independently verified for MIL-STD 810H6 military-grade durability.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is better than its price, and that's about the best you could hope for at $400. My rating would've been slightly higher if it had a backlit keyboard and maybe one USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C port. As it stands, though, it's still pretty easy for me to recommend it, especially if you're able to pick it up for even less on sale. 

Geekbench 6 (Android version) Multi-Core

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