Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

Review / 343

The remainder of this section focuses on one common kind of review, that for a liter-
ary work, particularly a novel. While reviews of literary works are not the same as lit-
erary analyses, reviews share certain techniques with them. Keep in mind, however,
that reviews do not follow the typically thorough and technical nature of literary
analyses. [Refer to Chapter 27, Literary Analyses, for comparison.]

Process

The following steps will help you develop a satisfactory review.

STEP 1: Prewriting—Selecting the Focus

In writing a literary review, you select interesting ideas that you can develop in the
allotted space. To help you think about points worth discussing, ask yourself the fol-
lowing questions:

• What is the purpose of the work? What is its theme? What message does the
  author convey?


• Who are its major characters? What are they like? Can the reader identify with
  them?


• What problems do the characters face? Does the reader see the characters grow
  as a result of struggle? Is the main character a hero or an antihero?


• What is the setting? Is it important to the plot, the theme, or the characters’
  struggle?


• Are other literary elements (imagery, symbolism, personification, and so
  on) important in the work? If so, how are they used? [See imagery, symbol,
  personification, and figure of speech in the Glossary.]


• What is your reaction to the work? Do you like it, find it fascinating? Or would
  you prefer never to think about it again? Why?

Next, pick out the few questions that either touch on the most important aspects
of the book or are likely to generate interest in the reader. That these two options
should be the same is irrelevant. It may not be the case!

STEP 2: Prewriting—Planning the Review

Once you have selected the guiding questions, use them to create a list of ideas you
want to include. Try these steps:

• First, determine your attitude toward the work. Do not allow yourself to be
  noncommittal; the reader may think you cannot make up your mind. Granted,
  you may be positive about some aspects and negative about others, but form
  an opinion either way.