A book critique is a summary/evaluation of a book. The Pinson Book Critique must be 5–7 pages, double-spaced. This is a formal paper. Write in third person and follow current Turabian guidelines. The Pinson Book Critique must include a biographical entry, author information, content summary, and an evaluation.
When you refer to any of the author’s points in either the Content Summary or Evaluation, paraphrase and do not quote. Then document by putting the page number of the comment to which you are referring (e.g., p. 70).
B. Bibliographical Entry
Pinson, J. Matthew. Perspectives on Christian Worship: Five Views. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2009. ISBN: 9780805440997.
C. 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.
D. Content Summary
This section must be no more than 2 pages. The first sentence must be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible; in other words, summarize the book in 1 sentence. The remainder of the summary is then an elaboration of this sentence, sharing your understanding of what the book is.
E. Summary
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 address 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.
F. Evaluation
The evaluation is the most crucial part of the critique. This is not a summary of the book’s content, but instead it is a critical appraisal of what the author 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 purpose for writing the book. The following questions are guidelines to help you develop the evaluation section:
- Does the author achieve his intended purpose?
- Is the main theme convincing?
- 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?
- Are his arguments logical, well supported, or convincing?
- What evidence does the author provide to sustain his main theme?
- What are his conclusions?
- What is unique, significant, or interesting about the book?
- Does it contain unusual historical, theological, or literary traits?
- What biases (theological, philosophical, denominational, etc.) are evident?
- What does the book/author teach us?
- What is good about the book?
- What is bad about the book?
- Who should read the book?
- How can a person implement these concepts in ministry (teaching, etc.)?
- 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.
