Richard Ascough

Assistant
Professor
of New
Testament
and Greek

Queen's
Theological
College

Department
of Religious
Studies


Theological Hall
Kingston, ON
Canada, K7L 3N6

(613) 533-6000
x78066

fax: (613) 533-6879

rsa@post.queensu.ca

http://
post.queensu.ca/~rsa

• publication! (free books!!!)
• course requirement
• personal notes -- reminders of what we have read
• study notes -- for exams
• helps us to read more carefully
• part of a paper
  • review of scholarship
  • footnotes

Aim: summarize the contents and give an evaluation. The audience (yourself or others) should learn what the book says and whether or not it is good.

Length: reviews (personal or published) should never be longer than 1000 words. Two-thirds of the review should be summary (650 words) and one-third of the review should be evaluation (350 words).

Content:

• Give a ballanced, accurate description of the argument
  • what best characterizes the book
  • what most requires evaluation

• Give positive and negative assessments
  • author's expertise
  • how well case is argued
  • how well the data is marshalled
  • style
  • relation to other works
  • significance for the (sub-)field
  • quality of translation
  • value of printing a new edition

• State the possible audience(s) and usefulness of the book

1. Begin by noting features of the book

• does it have pictures, charts, indices, etc.

2. Read the preface

• why was it written?
• what was the need?
• who is the audience?

3. Read the book!

• after each chapter ask yourself
  • "what was the point?"
  • "What did the author tell me?"
  • "How did he/she prove the point?"
• underline or mark important points

4. Make notes on the contents of the book

• best to do this while reading the book and to go over it afterwards
• the thesis should be obvious in the Introduction or the first chapter
  • if not, then re-read!
  • if you don't catch it, re-read again!
  • if you still don't catch it, then the author is probably unclear about it; note this under the "comments/evaluation"
• note the chapter number and the main point of the chapter
• note how that main point is supported
• at the end there should be a conclusion; what does the author conclude?

5. Make evaluation notes

• again, this can be done while reading the book
  • e.g., "chapter 1 was weak"; "the writer uses too many rhetorical questions"; "in chapter three he/she skips over important evidence because it undermines the argument"; etc.
• do make note of things like improper binding; too many typographical mistakes; words crammed too close together;
• do not make note of things like the colour of the cover, the photograph on the back -- these are inconsequential details!

6. Write the review

• using the information you have collected follow this outline:
  • note who the author is
  • state the purpose or major theses of the book
  • summarize the contents of the book; chapter by chapter is best [2/3 of review]
  • provide a critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses [1/3 of review]
  • note any other significant features
  • note the intended audience
  • give a final recommendation
• as you become more proficient at reviews, you can deviate from the pattern and be more creative. However, remember the aim of a review -- summary and evaluation. Reviews are not the place to preach sermons or get on a soap-box about your own personal pet-issues.

7. Edit

• by this time your review should be quite lengthy (2x longer) -- time to edit! Take the time to do this, it forces you to rethink what you have said and to make sure you have understood the book correctly.
• remember who your audience is: if it is a Prof, write in an academic style; if it is your church congregation (church newsletter) write in a more simple style, lest others think you pretentious.
• try to say things clearly and concisely
• read each paragraph separately -- what can you cut out (supporting evidence not main theses); cut out unnecessary evidence -- does it help you make your point?
• if you think your sentence is wonderfully creative and reflects your artistic brilliance, get rid of it, it probably isn't. Be plain and simple in your style.
• think about your choice of words -- are they clear? do you use jargon? (don't)
  • do not say, "The biota exhibited a one hundred percent mortality response" but rather, "All the fish died."
  • this is particularly true if you are writing for a church audience -- don't assume they know theological terms that you have learned at seminary (i.e., eschatology). If you must use them, explain them.
• use "first-degree" words, that is, easily understood words:
  • "face" not "visage" or "countenance"
  • "stay" not "abide" or "reside"
  • "book" not "tome," "volume," or "publication"
• edit out "word-wasters":
  • "at the present time" = "now"
  • "in the event of = "if"
  • "in the majority of instances" = "usually"
  • "one is able to" = "one can"
• avoid the obvious: "the conclusion occurs as the last chapter of the book" (no kidding!)

8. Re-edit

• always leave a review (or an essay) for a few days after you have finished editing it, then re-read it to see if it still makes sense. Invariably you will find minor editorial changes to be made.