How To Write A Book Review In Five Paragraphs
If you’re asked to write a short book review, the classic five paragraph format might work. Since that’s geared for more general use, though, this alternative five-paragraph format that uses the standard journalistic questions (who, what, where, when and why) could be more fitting.
In some ways, this structure offers a simpler approach to book reviews. It breaks up the writing quite well, apart from allowing you to express your ideas in a straightforward manner.
For the first paragraph, answer the “who” question. Talk about the main character in the text, describing how the character first appeared and the changes that happened to them throughout the course of the story. Explain their significance.
For the second paragraph, answer the “what” question. Describe the main theme of the book, detailing how it is explored and developed throughout the various chapters.
For the third paragraph, answer the “where” question. Talk about the setting where the story takes place, describing how it contributes to the book and how it relates to the main character and overall theme.
For the fourth paragraph, answer the “when” question. Describe the time period that the story takes place in. As with the location, describe how it contributes to the book and how it relates to the main character and overall theme.
For the last paragraph, answer the “why” question. As a conclusion, discuss the reasons why you believe the author wrote this book. Take a gander at the points it tries to make and the reasons why everything was arranged in the manner that it was.