EVAN 565

Guidelines for a Book Critique

I. Book Critique:

A book critique is a to-the-point summary/evaluation of the book involved.

The length of the book critique will be 1500-2000 words, typed and double-spaced
in Times New Roman 12 point font. This is a formal paper. Please write in the
third person. No first person!

Documentation: When you refer to any of the author's points in either the Content
Summary or Evaluation, paraphrased or quoted. Then, document by footnoting
(See Turabian for proper formatting - Turabian_guide.pdf (Put your cursor on the
link in blue, press Ctrl and click to follow the link)).

If you do not know the Turabian Style for writing papers (The style that should be
used for all paper written for LBTS) it would be wise to find or buy a copy of A
Manuel for Writers by Kate L. Turabian ISBN - 978-0226823379).

II. The book critique is to include (a) author information, (b) content summary, (c) an
evaluation, and (d) the biographical entry.

A. Author Information

The purpose of this section is to identify the author (translator or editor) of the
book. If available, present the author's background, academic training, and practical
experience. You can help a reader understand a book by describing the author.
Contemporary Authors or other biographical sources may provide author
information.

B. Content Summary

This section should be no more than two pages in length. The first sentence
should be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. Summarize the
book in one sentence. The remainder of the summary will then be an
elaboration of this sentence, sharing your understanding of what the book
is.

Be sure the summary covers the entire book. Do not be so detailed about
the first part of the book that you do not adequately deal with the
subsequent sections. To avoid this problem, organize the summary
carefully and logically. Also, do not get bogged down in specifics. The task
is to summarize the entire book, not to focus on selected details.

C. Evaluation
The evaluation is the most crucial part of the critique. This is not a
summary of the book's content but a critical evaluation of what the author

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has to say. React to the book both positively and negatively. Because
books, like people, are different, one cannot impose predetermined critical
questions on the book.

You have already stated in your Content Summary the author's major
theme or thesis and his purpose for writing the book. The following
questions are guidelines to help you develop this section of the book
critique:
1. Does the author achieve his intended purpose?
2. Is the main theme convincing?
3. What presuppositions (i.e. with what ideas does he approach the
subject) or basic assumptions does the author reveal in the work?
Are they legitimate and valid?
4. Are his arguments logical, well supported, or convincing?
5. What evidence does the author provide to sustain his main theme?
6. What are his conclusions?
7. What is unique, significant, or interesting about the book?
8. Does it contain unusual historical, theological, or literary traits?
9. What biases (theological, philosophical, denominational, etc.) are
evident?
10. What does the book/author teach us?
11. What is good about the book?
12. What is bad about the book?
13. Who should read the book?
14. How can a person implement these concepts in ministry (teaching,
etc.)?
15. How does this book contribute to your understanding of the subject
covered?

Avoid generalities such as "Every person (minister, teacher, etc.) should

read this book;" or "this is a (good, bad) book." Do not assume anything.
Write as though the reader knows nothing about the author, the author's
point of view, or the book's contents. Explain and critique the book to the
best of your ability from your perspective.

D. Bibliography

Sandy, D. Brent, and Ronald L. Giese. Cracking Old Testament Codes.

Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1995.

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III. The following is an outlined example of the cover page, and the headings for a
book critique in the paper. Note the centering of the headings. Students will need
to fill in the information as needed:

Sample Title Page: (change words to fit your topic and course)

Liberty Theological Seminary

The Rise of Islam

A Paper
Submitted to Dr. Homer Massey
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
History of Christianity II
CHHI 525

By
Aloysious Bumgarner

25 May 2005

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The body of your paper is to use the following headings, and include the information
described.

Author Information

Content Summary

Evaluation

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(New page)

Bibliography

Hesselgrave, David J. Planting Churches Cross Culturally: North

America and Beyond (2nd edition). Grand Rapids: Baker Book
House, 2000.

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