How to Review a Book of Poetry

Whether you are reviewing a book of poetry for a school assignment or your local newspaper, there is no need to panic if you are new to this type of writing. While poetry is far from being a popular art form, it is nonetheless an accessible one. Just as anyone can watch a movie and form an opinion on it, reading a book of poetry can lead you down a similar path of pleasure—or pain. But just as no one wants to read a badly written book of poems, no one wants to read a badly written review, either. This is why it is essential that you put forth your opinion in compelling, coherent prose that will illustrate each point of your argument until you reach your final verdict, informing the reader whether it will be worth his time to pursue a particular volume of poetry.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Read the book. Most poetry books are quite short, usually less than a hundred pages, so you may even want to read it twice—the first time for pleasure, the second time to take notes.

   • 2

     Take notes. Write down memorable lines that you may want to quote in your review.

   • 3

     Research the poet online. Is this her first collection? What interesting facts can you find about her work? What have other reviewers written about it?

   • 4

     Begin with the author’s biographical details. This is where you can present your research findings—interesting data about the poet’s life and the critical reception of her work to date.

   • 5

     Discuss the collection. Include quotes to illustrate the high points and low points.

   • 6

     Assess the book. This is the place for you to give your verdict: Was the book good or bad? Why?