LSV: Writing Book Reviews Lesson Plan
You will need the following for this lesson:
Examples of book reviews written by adults and students
Highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils
Copies of close read questions for the reviews
Copies of a short story or narrative poem for students to read and review
A book review is an in-depth, insightful analysis of a book. An effective review explains what the book is about and usually offers the reviewer's opinion.
Begin the lesson by having students do a cold read of a book review.
After students have read the book review, ask them to discuss what the book review does for the reader? What is the purpose of the book review?
After the students have read and discussed the book review, have students go back through the review and annotate it.
Let the students share their annotations with their classmates.
The typical book review includes the title of the book, the author's name, and the publisher. It may also include the date of publication, the price of the book, and where the book can be obtained.
Explain that for a review of a fictional work, the reviewer should include an introduction of the plot, a description of the characters, and an outline of the characters' motivations that provides the basis of the story.
Any outstanding elements such as quality of writing, fast action, exotic settings, or unusual twists might also be mentioned.
The review should not reveal the climax, since readers may decide to the read the book, but the writer can express an opinion about the ending.
Have students find these elements in the reviews that they have just read.
For nonfiction, note that reviewers usually explain the scope of the book. The importance of the book, and what it offers, or fails to offer are highlighted.
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