Read the Book

• 1). Read the book. Don't miss the foreword or preface. If possible, read the book twice, once to gain an overview and again to consolidate your understanding.
  
  
• 2). Take notes while you read. In particular, try to identify the book's structure, audience and your own impressions of the author's style and message.
  
  
• 3). Write down interesting quotations and note page numbers of relevant passages.
  
  

Sort Notes

• 1). Review your notes and start to sort them into order.
  
  
• 2). Type your notes into a word processor or other text editor to make sorting easier.
  
  
• 3). Sort the notes for your introduction. Include notes about the author, ISBN and book's format. Write down what you think is author's purpose in writing the book. Then state the theme (subject) and thesis (author's approach to the subject).
  
  
• 4). Sort the notes for the review's main body. Include observations on how the author supports his thesis, whether the book is relevant or interesting and whether any footnotes are helpful. Include notes about the book's style.
  
  
• 5). Write notes for the conclusion. Include your thoughts about the book's style and the author.
  
  

Write the Review

• 1). Write your first draft quickly, using the structure noted in the Sort Notes section. Do not edit anything; just get your thoughts down. Do not worry about spelling and grammar for this stage.
  
  
• 2). Leave the review alone for one hour.
  
  
• 3). Return to the review for your first revision. Fix spelling and grammar errors, wordy sections and check that you've said what you need to say.
  
  
• 4). Leave the review for another hour.
  
  

Finalize the Review

• 1). Read and edit the second draft. By now, there should only be minor tweaks to make.
  
  
• 2). Proof-read the document one last time, and make your final edits.
  
  
• 3). Publish or submit the review.