Decide on your thesis, which is the point you will argue. Boil it down to one clear sentence that is an arguable statement. If you say, for example, that "'The Life of Pi' is a sea adventure," all you have done is name a genre; you haven't stated a thesis that you can argue. If you say, however, that "'The Life of Pi' examines human nature in the face of desperation and concludes that most people are basically good," you have made a thesis statement because you now have to prove what you mean.
Set criteria by which you will make your argument. If you are making an argument about human nature in the face of desperation, for example, you might consider heroism, cowardice and endurance. Then ask yourself how the plot and the characters represent those characteristics. You must logically apply the criteria to the story.
Go through the book marking passages that are significant to your argument. Either insert bookmarks or make a list of the necessary page numbers.
Introduce your argumentative book review with a paragraph-long synopsis of the storyline without including spoilers, as recommended by Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Spoilers are bits of information that give away the ending. Include the name of the book, the author's name and the publisher, advises the Los Angeles Valley College Library. As well, include your thesis statement by either making it the first sentence or the last and mention whether or not you think the book is worth reading.
Discuss elements of the story that suggest your thesis is wrong, as recommended by Purdue University's Online Writing Lab. One by one, give your reader a brief summary of any troubling passages, explain how each passage negates your point of view, and then rebut it or point out that the passage represents an inconsistency in the plot or characterization. For example, you might point out that in chapter nine, the main character does something that seems to throw your whole thesis into doubt. Then you might point out another passage, and so on. Use direct quotations and paraphrased passages.
Discuss the elements of the story that support your thesis. As you pointed out passages and explained how they negated your argument, now point out passages that support your argument, explaining how they do. Choose highly significant examples. You don't need to include every last one, but include enough to outweigh the opposite point of view.
Conclude your argumentative book review by summarizing the main points you made in support of your argument. You should also briefly discuss, in the light of your argument, whether or not the book is engaging, frustrating or a disappointment.