Book Review Checklist
Preliminary Material too little enough too much
1. Is the title of the review clever/catchy?      
2. Does the review supply basic publication data (i.e., author, title and subtitle, publisher's name, year of publication, number of pages, number of illustration, price of book)?      
Opening too little enough too much
3. For a narrative opening:  
  • Is the story interesting?
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  • Is there enough narrative detail?
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    4. For an interactive opening:  
  • Is the opening successfully interactive (does it get the reader to mentally participate in a specified activity)?
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    Author too little enough too much
    5. Does the review give background on the book's author?      
    6. Does the review relate the book to the author's other books?      
    7. Does the review situate the book within its field (i.e., in relation to other books on the same or similar subject matter)?      
    Style too little enough too much
    8. Does the review discuss the author's style?      
    9. Does the writer use quotation to give examples of the writer's style?      
    Book Summary and Critical Evaluation too little enough too much
    10. Does the summary avoid a chapter-by-chapter format?      
    11. Does it clearly focus on one or two main points of (scientific) interest?      
    12. Does it focus on aspects of the book that would be of special interest to readers interested in science?      
    13. Does the review present the science clearly, in a way that non-experts can easily follow (i.e., does it translate the science)?      
    14. Is the summary detailed?      
    15. Is the summary critical – making clear what the reviewer likes, appreciates, or admires about the book?      
    16. Does the summary cover other, secondary points of interest?      
    17. Does the writer use analogies (etc.) to help summarize and explain the science?      
    18. Does the writer define any key scientific terms?      
    19. Does the writer use quotation to help present the summary?      
    20. Is the quotation used appropriate (i.e., does it help)?      
    Usability too little enough too much
    21. Does the review make clear for whom the book is best suited (its intended readership)?      
    22. Does the review make clear form whom the book is not suitable?      
    23. Does the review stress what makes the book especially usable/reader-friendly?      
    24. Does the review use quotation to help make the book's usability/reader-friendliness clear?      
    Negative Criticism too little enough too much
    25. Is the review negatively critical of the book?      
    26. Does the review discuss faults or weaknesses of the book?      
    27. Does the review use quotation of illustrate or explain any faults or weaknesses of the book?      
    The Final Paragraph too little enough too much
    28. Does the final paragraph work as a mini-version of the review?      
    29. Does it make clear what the reviewer likes best about the book?      
    Technical Matters too little enough too much
    30. Is the review proofread and error-free?      
    31. Are all the quotations anchored?