Book Review Grading Criteria

Reviewer's Name:

Title of Book/Materials:

Criteria for Grading Reviews of ESL Books (or Other Materials)

In an excellent (A) book (materials) review:

Correct and complete bibliographic information in the proper, specified style* is provided at the top of the first page of the review. This information includes the number of pages and the price of the book. (Check Books in Print in the bookstore or library if the price is not given in the book itself.)
The intended purpose of the book and its target audience are noted and used as an important basis for evaluating it.
The book's basic structure (organization, parts, etc.) is clearly described.
Techniques and procedures that teachers using the book are expected to employ (as well as cycles of teaching activities) are noted and evaluated.
Anticipated teaching roles of those who use the book are described.
Other relevant, important features of the book are intelligently selected and clearly described, especially if they are unusual.
Key features of the book are critically evaluated (not just described; not just praised).
Supplementary materials (teacher's manual, tapes, answer key, etc.) are mentioned if they exist.
Comments are appropriately illustrated or supported with examples and sample material from the book itself.
Paragraphs are clearly organized and each is devoted to an important point about the book.
Clear, appropriate vocabulary is employed in the description of the book and the reviewer's evaluation of it.
Grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation errors are few and far between.
Length is appropriate (two pages recommended; four pages maximum).

A very good (B) report is deficient in a few of the above areas, but otherwise good.
An acceptable (C) report is deficient in several of the above areas, but otherwise good.
A less than satisfactory (D) report is deficient in many of the above areas.
A failing (F) report is deficient in most of the above areas.

* Model format for bibliographic information:
A Conversation Book: English in Everyday Life, Book II. (Second edition). Tina Kasloff Carver and Sandra Douglas Fotinos. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1986. Pp. 178, $9.95.

Name of reviewer (author of review):

Name of evaluator of the review:

Grade:

Comments:

Ling. 577 Syllabus

1998 © Dr. Lynn E. Henrichsen
Department of Linguistics
Brigham Young University
Last Updated: Saturday, January 24, 1998