BASA, SAYSAY, SOKSAY
BOOK REVIEW FORMAT
a book a week series (supplementary requirement for SSE 18)
OBJECTIVES :
At the end of this reading series, the students are able to do the following:
1. Read and understand four Looking back series of Ambeth Ocampo
2. Determine their reading capacity and widen their social science
vocabulary.
3. Appreciate the societal impact of the writings of Ambeth Ocampo in the
identity of the Filipinos in the past, present, and future.
4. Escalate the importance of reading as a habit as a pre-service teacher.
5. Accomplish the Book Review format with the timeframe given.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS:
 Answer the following questions IN EVERY SECTION of this template.
 Every part can be answered during or after the reading activity.
 Write this in a separate notebook. Treat this like a reading journal.
 Every Looking back series (Ambeth Ocampo) is due a week from Day
1 of reading. After that you can have the next one by exchanging a
looking back series with your classmate.
 Write the question on the first pages of the notebook. Then for
answering, just write the Roman Numeral and the number
corresponding to your answer.
I.
Thesis or Argument.
1. What is the central thesis—or main argument—of the book?
2. If the author wanted you to get one main idea from the book, what
would it be?
3. How does it compare or contrast to the world that you know or have
experienced?
4. What has the book accomplished? Is the argument clearly stated
and does the research support this?
II.
Topic.
1.
2.
3.
What exactly is the subject or topic of the book? Is it clearly
articulated?
Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author
cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion?
Can you detect any biases? What type of approach has the author
adopted to explore the research problem or the topic highlighted
[e.g., topical, analytical, chronological, descriptive]?
III.
Evidence.
1. How does the author support their argument? What evidence does
the author use to prove their point?
2. Is the evidence based on an appropriate application of the
method chosen to gather information? Do you find that evidence
convincing? Why or why not?
3. Does any of the author's information [or conclusions] conflict with
other books you've read, courses you've taken, or just previous
assumptions you had about the research problem?
IV.
Structure.
1. How does the author structure their argument? Does it follow a
logical order of analysis?
2. What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument
make sense to you? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
V.
Take-aways.
1. How has this book helped you understand the research problem?
Would you recommend the book to others? Why or why not?
2. How did the book affect you? Were there any prior assumptions
you had about the subject that were changed, abandoned, or
reinforced after reading the book?
3. How is the book related to your own personal beliefs or
assumptions? What personal experiences have you had related to
the subject that affirm or challenge underlying assumptions?
SAMPLE ENTRY
NAME OF THE BOOK: ___________________
Date started: __________________
I.
Thesis or Argument
1. (Answer here)
2.
II.
Topic
1. (Answer here)
2. (Answer here)
3. (Answer here)
Date Ended: _______________________