THE CRITICAL REVIEW ESSAY The purpose of the critical review essay is to develo

THE CRITICAL REVIEW ESSAY
The purpose of the critical review essay is to develop and present a solid understanding of and position on a
particular issue in which you are interested and which is addressed in a specific book. It is really a
“conversation” with the author such that the reader will be left with your opinion on the subject and your critique
(assessment) of the author(s) position.
Keep in mind that this is a critical review essay, not a book report. This means that you should build the essay in
the usual manner, with a beginning (introduction), a middle (the primary argument and evidence), and an end
(the conclusion). Do not mention the word “book” or the word “chapter”.
The introductory paragraph should set the necessary context and overall argument. It should tell readers what
the essay is about any why it is interesting and important enough for them to care about it, either in terms of the
ongoing historical debates, the historical record, or understanding contemporary issues. The introduction should
also include your thesis statement that provides the thread and argument you will carry through the entire essay.
This should be your organizing principle. In the syllabus, I mentioned that you NOT include the title and
author in the first paragraph, even though in my example, I did so. If you must mention it in the first
paragraph, let it be near the end and not the highlight of the introduction.
The middle contains the bulk of the essay, consisting of a review of the book under consideration in terms of its
purpose, approach, argument, place in the ongoing debates, use of evidence, major contribution (does the author
break new ground?), etc. – this section should be more than the sum of its parts. It is not simply a recapitulation
of the contents of the book. Your voice should be heard here as well, developing your own position on this topic
as well as the author(s) treatment of it.
The end contains the conclusion, reminding your readers of the importance of the topic and providing a final
assessment of the book and its contribution to furthering the understanding of the larger questions or contexts set
out in the introduction.
Your review (the sample was much longer) should be approximately 5 pages (1250 +/- 100words), double-spaced
– 12 point type). We will discuss this in more detail as the review books are chosen. As you write, consider the
members of the class as your audience; a group of well-informed individuals who share with you an interest in
Technology and Culture.
NOTE  Research whether your selection has been reviewed elsewhere in well-respected publications, such as
the New York Review of Books, the New York Tines, the London Review of Books. You don’t need to cite them (unless
briefly quoted) but do put them in a reference list. Of course, you may quote the author of the book you are
reviewing or other sources, if they enhance your reviluvew but make them very selective.