Writing a Nonfiction Review
Once you finish prewriting, you are ready to create the first draft of your review. These writing activities will help you create strong beginning, middle, and ending parts. You'll also read another student's review to see how all of the parts work together.
Writing the Beginning Paragraph
Your beginning paragraph should start with a lead sentence, which gets the reader interested in the book. In the next sentence or two, you should identify the title and author of the book. In the last sentence, you should state the focus or the main idea of the book.
Write a lead sentence.
Try out at least two of these strategies for introducing the topic of your review. Read the examples for ideas.
1. Ask a question related to the work.
Have you ever wondered where superheroes come from?
2. Talk directly to your readers about the work.
It’s not every day that you learn how a superhero was born. But when you read “Superman Takes Off” by Stephen Krenzky, you sure do!
3. Introduce an interesting or suspenseful detail from the work.
One day, sometime during the Middle Ages, valuable jewels disappear from the Royal Treasury.
4. Share a feeling you have about the work.
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World is an exciting book by Jennifer Armstrong.
Write your focus statement.
State the main point of the book. This statement should summarize what the book is about.
The article tells about how Superman made his debut and why he, literally, took off.
Write your beginning paragraph.
Start with your lead sentence. Follow with one or two sentences that identify the title and author of the book and state your focus.
Writing the Middle Paragraphs
In separate middle paragraphs, answer these three questions: What is the book or article about? What do I like about it? What is the work's theme or message? (Don't give away too many details. You don't want to spoil the best parts for your readers.)
Write your middle paragraphs.
Use details from the work you are reviewing as well as your own ideas to answer the basic questions in your middle paragraphs.
Middle Paragraph 1
What is the book or article about?
Middle Paragraph 2
What do you like (or dislike) about the book or article?
Middle Paragraph 3
What is the work's theme or main message?
Teacher Tip
Let your students know that some questions may take more than one middle paragraph to answer.
Writing the Final Paragraph
In the last paragraph, answer the final question: Why would others like it?
Write your ending paragraph.
Explain who else would enjoy reading the work. Share what is special about it or the interest area it covers.
Ending Paragraph
Why would others like it?
Reading a Sample Draft
Read a sample nonfiction review.
As you read this draft, notice how the writer put the parts together.
Listen to "'Superman Takes Off' Review"
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"Superman Takes Off" Review
Lead It’s not every day that you learn how a superhero was born. But when you read “Superman Takes Off” by Stephen Krenzky, you sure do! Focus Statement The article tells about how Superman made his debut and why he, literally, took off.
Middle Paragraphs Did you know Superman began in the imagination of a high schooler? The student's name was Jerry Siegel, and he imagined that having the power to jump over tall buildings would finally get the attention of the girls in his class. However, the superhero of his imagination didn’t get a name until he talked to his friend Joe Shuster about the idea. In fact, they decided to make “Superman” the villain of the short story before making him a comic book hero! The article includes many more twists like this.
I enjoyed the article because it showed how Superman began as a daydream in the mind of a normal student. I also liked learning about all the hard work it takes to turn a dream into reality. For example, Siegel and Shuster tried for many years to convince their bosses at DC Comics to publish Superman. The article also shows how Superman fought injustices that were connected to real-life problems of the time.
The main message I took from the article is that great characters do not just magically appear. They start as an idea in the mind of a real person based on real experiences. It also shows that all of us have the potential to create the next big thing through hard work and dedication.
Ending Paragraph If you love comics or superhero movies, you will want to read this article as soon as you can. In addition, anyone who wants to learn the process of creating a great comic or book or movie will learn a lot from the article. I know I sure did.
Teaching Tip
If your students are writing essays in response to the same article (which they encountered in the warm-up to this unit), caution them not to copy any of the material from this sample response. They need to write their own original responses to the article.