A Policy Approach
Kirsten
Wandschneider
Assistant Professor of Economics and IPE
BOOK REVIEW
You will write a book review of Russell Roberts: The Choice. The book
review will be 4-5 pages in length and will summarize as well as evaluate
the text.
The book review should be typed double-spaced in 12pt font with standard margins, stapled, and should contain your name in the upper right hand corner of each page. The review is due on April 5th at the beginning of class. Late reviews will be punished at a rate of one letter grade per day.
Tips how to write a good review:
1) Before you begin writing, make a few notes about the points you want to get across.
2) While you're writing, try thinking of your reader as a friend to whom you're telling a story.
3) Try to mention the name of the author and the book title in the first paragraph — there's nothing more frustrating than reading a review of a great book but not knowing who wrote it and what the title is!
4) If possible, use one paragraph for each point you want to make about the book. It's a good way to emphasize the importance of the point. You might want to list the main points in your notes before you begin.
5) Try to get the main theme of the book across in the beginning of your review. Your reader should know right away what he or she is getting into should they choose to read the book!
6) What do you like or dislike about the book's writing style? Is it funny? Does it give you a sense of the place it's set? What is the author's/narrator's "voice" like?
7) Try using a few short quotes from the book to illustrate your points. This is not absolutely necessary, but it's a good way to give your reader a sense of the author's writing style.
8) Make sure your review explains how you feel about the book and why, not just what the book is about. A good review should express the reviewer's opinion and persuade the reader to share it, to read the book, or to avoid reading it.