UCC English Dept BOOK REVIEWS
Three times in each year you must submit a BOOK REVIEW to your English Teacher. The book you choose must be a novel from the list provided unless you get permission from your teacher beforehand to read a book of your own choice. (You must show the book to your teacher before you start your review!)
The Review must follow this pattern:
A cover sheet with the book’s TITLE and AUTHOR. Put double quotation marks round the title and give each of its words a capital letter at all times.
The cover sheet must also have an illustration that fits the book – e.g. an illustration of a main character or of an important incident or vital object. (Don’t just copy the original cover!)
An explanation of your cover sheet (e.g. what you were trying to do and how it fits the book);
your general opinion of the book with a reason – how much you enjoyed it and why;
how hard it was - the style of writing and the storyline - with an example;
what kind of people the author has been trying to interest - boys/girls/both, age-group.
Write about 50 words.
[Year 7 & 8 - 4 marks; year 9 - 5 marks.]
A summary of the plot (story). This must be neat and careful; include all the main incidents and characters but NO dialogue and try to select only the important points. Do NOT write more than 300 words. The minimum length will depend on the book. You will lose marks for excessive length!
Write the number of words you have used at the end. (Count by multiplying the number of lines by the number of words per line - a rough estimate is fine.)
[Year 7,8 &9 - 8 marks.]
Comments on the book. You must write AT LEAST 6 comments in years 7 & 8, and 9 comments in year 9. All comments will be marked, so you can get full marks even if some comments are wrong provided you have done extra ones. Your comments can be about any aspects of the book, but there is a sheet of suggestions that your teacher will give you. Try to make every comment different – you will get more marks if you do!
[Year 7,8 & 9 - 3 marks for each comment.]
When writing your comments, follow this formula:
C P E
C omment
P rove it – you can quote a bit or describe something in the book
E xpand on your comment – e.g. explain how the comment is proved by your quotation or description, or give more proof, or explain exactly what you mean.
You will also be given an assessment based on your review’s presentation:
- neatness, clarity and attractiveness
- use of capitals, quotation marks, full stops and paragraphing
- appropriate choice of book
[PE / PG / PP = Presentation Excellent / Good / Poor]
A commendation will be given to the best work in each class.
ADVICE ON WRITING SUMMARIES
Read about an eighth of the book
Get a parent or friend to listen to you as you explain what you’ve read
Write down what you remember, looking back to the book as little as possible
Look back at the book for reassurance
Read on
Repeat the above steps
When you have finished, re-read your review and add or delete details until you are satisfied with the length
Ask someone to read it over and tell you if it sounds good
ADVICE ON WRITING COMMENTS
Look through the suggestion sheet
Decide which ones are sure-fire – e.g. there’s bound to be a bit of good description or a character you like!
As you read, keep a lookout for useful bits in the book – and note the page for later. For example, you may feel really excited at one bit – perfect for a comment! You don’t want to forget where it came in the book!
Write down any comments that occur to you as you are reading – lest you forget!
Get a parent or friend to ask you questions about the book – e.g. "What was good about it? Why?" "What was the best bit? Why?" REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST EXPLAIN WHY YOU’VE FORMED EACH OPINION.
Remember the formula - CPE!
When you have finished your drafting, get your parent(s) to help you correct the spelling, etc. (This is NOT cheating – it is only sensible to take advantage of family and friends who can help make your English better.) Take advice and hand in the best work you are capable of. What you hand in should be your best – and final – copy.
Worksheets and Info