Archive for January, 2011

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Book Reports – Sample Format

January 30th, 2011


More books exist today than any one person can possibly read. Amazon lists tons of books. Libraries have many shelves on many floors of books. ISBN numbers have three more digits than they did before. Because there are so many books, and because we have limited time in our lives, people write book reviews. A good book review can help a person decide whether he or she should invest the time into reading a book.

Book reports are the first step toward book reviews. Book reports for children are usually forms that the child fills out. Unlike the book report form, an actual book review is an essay.

Some elements of a book review are common. Use this checklist to make sure your book report is valuable to its readers.

Structure

Write an outline for your review. An outline helps you keep on track while writing the actual review. Identify the book’s name and author. If the book you read is good and you recommend it to someone, that person needs to be able to find the book at the library or bookstore. This information helps people find books at libraries and bookstores. It is okay to include the genre of the book, the publisher, and the publishing date, but this information is less critical.

State your thesis. What is your take on the book? What is your thesis? Make this clear in the first paragraph of your review. “This book is a must read for ferret lovers.” “This book is a waste of time unless you like ferrets.” “This book had an interesting take on ferrets that went against current mainstream opinions.”

Support your thesis while describing characters in the book, the setting, and the basic elements of the plot-but do not give away too much information. Children do book reports to prove to their teacher that they read and understood a book. You are doing a book review to provide a service. Giving away too much information takes away that service. If a person does decide to read the book, enough of the book needs to be a surprise that it is as enjoyable for them as it was for you.

Provide a conclusion reiterating your thesis.

Readability

Spell correctly. Use a spell checker. Read the review when finished and check for homonyms and other errors that spell checkers do not get.

Use correct grammar. Proofread your review and make sure the grammar is correct. Consult style guides when needed.

Do not over format your review. Stick to one font. Go ahead and use headings if you want to, but minimize the number of fonts you use. The majority of the text in your review should be in a serif font, because those are easier to read.

Give it time and proofread your review again. Let your review sit over night or for two days and then proof it again. Alternatively, better yet, have another person proof it.

Download free book report forms for younger kids or a book review checklist at http://www.UnitStudiesByGwen.com/products/more/book-reports.html

By: Gwen Nicodemus

About the Author:
Gwen Nicodemus has two children that she’s been homeschooling all their lives. Gwen also teaches science and math classes in a local homeschooling cooperative. As a temporarily retired engineer, Gwen keeps her brain active by writing unit studies and little books for her kids whenever someone gets interested in a new topic. Check out the great free resources, including unit studies, videos, tutorials, and little books at http://UnitStudiesByGwen.com

©2010, Gwen Nicodemus



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Enjoy Education With Audio Books

January 30th, 2011


An audio book is a recording of commercially available printed material. It is an alternative form of books. The education systems are constantly innovating and modifying the way lessons are taught. The challenges of physically handicapped (like blindness) people are now minimized with the emergence of new education strategies. Audio book is one of them. These are actually books that are read aloud and recorded. Through this kind of book, an illiterate person can also enjoy the content and get the knowledge. Audio books are generally distributed on CDs, cassette tapes, downloadable digital formats and most recently, some digital formats.

Authors and publishers now recognize the advantages of transforming published book into audio books. Some book publishers even predicted that these format of books would exceed the sales of paperback books or e-books one day. Why this is so, is understandable when you consider the benefits of these books. The main advantages are,- (1) For many people, listening to an audio book is more entertaining and exciting than reading a printed book. (2) Downloading these books are quick and easy. (3) For the book publishers, recordings can be duplicated easily and downloadable books will never run out of stock. (4) These books are affordable Many audio book clubs provide audio book download and rental service at low cost. (5) The parents can listen together with their kids and have fun. An audio book can be the best alternative of a bedtime story.

Publishers and producers use compact disc, cassette tapes, or the online portal as medium of audio book. Currently, CDs have dominated the audio book format. It is so because CDs are now on the paradigm when it comes to audio technology. The cassette tape format currently takes about 40% of the audio books sold and purchased through the market, according to the estimates. But the fastest growing segment of format type for audio book is the downloadable type. The downloadable books are the most convenient format because the book is stored online or virtually.

Sometimes, audio books manufacturers also hire famous celebrities to read out the contents. This is based on thinking that several people would appreciate it more and would be more interesting. Finally, aside from being academically useful, it can also be used to teach people.

By: Alden Jerry

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Posted in Book Reviews

Book Review – Hack the SAT, by Eliot Schrefer

January 29th, 2011


As an SAT Tutor and College Coach, I make it my business to read every relevant piece of literature on the subject of SAT Test Prep. I must admit that I have been in the test prep business for some time and as a result I am jaded and skeptical when reading anything that promotes “new ideas”. Surprisingly, “Hack The SAT” (Penquin Books) by Eliot Schrefer brings some fresh ideas to the stodgy world of standardized test preparation. The book was recommended to me with much hype. The author is a multi faceted fiction writer, non-fiction writer, and tutor to Manhattan’s elite children.

Written in a semi sarcastic tone a la “Up Your Score” (a favorite study guide of mine) the book has many smart and sometimes funny approaches to the reading, writing and math sections of the SAT. The author gives the student what he calls, several “tricks of the trade”–time saving, problem solving methods as well as techniques to avoid the silly traps the testmakers often set. Schrefer’s writing style attempts to communicate in the language of a High School Junior or Senior. Whether he succeeds is anybody’s guess. I haven’t been in High School for over 30 years.

The book gives some solid advice on how to properly attack a critical reading passage. A running vocabulary list appears at the bottom of each page. There are some basic but necessary rules of grammar designed to help with the writing multiple choice part of the SAT. The essay section is excellent and a must read. The Math tutorial is fresh and it introduces many time saving tricks with the use of a calculator. There are some errors in the Math section which the author promises will be corrected with the next printing. A sharp student who can spot these errors will know he or she is paying attention!

In the final chapter, there is a comprehensive mini quiz which the author calls an SAT Drill. The answer key refers the student to the particular page where the question’s concept is reinforced. A special bonus section on college applications is very informative.

I recommend “Hack The SAT” to students who have taken the exam at least once and have already read “Up Your Score”. Schrefer’s book boldly contends that his secret strategies can raise your score hundreds of points. The operative word here is can. He and I both agree that all the slick shortcuts in the world will not improve a student’s score unless that student is committed to sitting down and taking as many practice exams as possible. The same way major league baseball players take batting practice every day before the game, the student must practice, practice, practice.

By: Steven Weisman

About the Author:
Steven N. Weisman is an author and private SAT Tutor. Many valuable test strategies and information can be found on his blog and website http://www.testniques.com



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Posted in Book Reviews