Article Review
Article review is basically the assessment of an article. The main
focus is on the strengths and weaknesses of an article. The reviewer describe,
analyze and interpret the article that help the readers in assessing the
quality of the article. The reviewer try to justify whether the article is
fulfilling its function or not by analyzing it on the following grounds;
·
Summary
·
Genre
·
Critical
analysis
·
Comparative
analysis
The reviewer keeps in mind the following functions of the article;
·
Audience
·
Information provided
is based on facts or mere opinions
·
Main argument
·
Techniques and
methodology
·
Writing style
and language
·
Effectiveness
of the article
·
Formatting
·
Organization
Book Review
A book review is an analysis of the text. The reviewer expresses
his opinion on the basis of supporting arguments from the book. A book review
consists of four parts; including;
·
Authorship of
the book
·
Reviewers
opinion of the books
·
Brief summary
of the book
·
Awards or
distinction of the book
The writer focuses on the following main points while analyzing a
book:
·
Intended
audience
·
Genre of the
book
·
Language
·
Approach of the
author
·
Writing style
·
Concepts and
ideas are justified or not
·
Comparison with
author’s another works
·
Comparison with
another authors of the same genre
Difference between Article and Book Review
Reviewing a book or an article is basically a critical analysis.
The basic strategy adopted by reviewer is the same. The both observe the
intended the audience, language, writing style, genre and its function etc.
However there are some distinguished characteristics of both article and book
that differentiate article review from book review. Some of these
characteristics are described below:
1.
Genre:
In research article only one particular genre is used while the
genre for books vary. The article is scientific in nature. It is written for
scientific purposes. While books are not always scientific in nature. It might
be written for amusement of the readers. The nature of article review differ
from that of book review articles. For example a review of poetry book will
differ from that of a research article. The reviewer will appreciate the
aesthetic sense of the poet rather than evaluating his grammatical mistakes.
2.
Audience:
An article review targets a particular audience however a book
review does not a particular audience. The audience also vary accordingly. The
research articles are read by students, professors, scholars, doctors and
researchers etc. while the readers of books vary accordingly to their nature.
Same is the case with the review of the book.
3.
Objectivity of
the Author:
As the nature of an article is scientific. It is obvious that the
review must be objective by nature. In the case of a book review it is quite
possible that the review is the subjective opinion of the reviewer.
4.
Length of the
Review
The book review is usually five to six pages while the review of an
article is maximum one page. The review of book includes long quotations and descriptions.
The reviewer has to add examples to explain his opinion.
