Writing Creative and Exciting Book Reviews
In this one-class course students will learn the elements of writing a creative and captivating book review.
Tory Anderson
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(452)
Popular
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
In my years of reading and writing I've learned that a fine book review can be exciting, enlightening, and fun to read. I constantly search for book reviews worthy of being read to friends and, for years, I have been pursuing the art of writing them.
In this class students will experience:
Book reviews that most people write, but shouldn't
Book reviews as entertainment
Book reviews that readers will share with others
The class time will be divided into three portions:
In the first portion of the class we will study entertaining examples of the things that book reviews can be--from deadly boring and embarrassing to enlightening and captivating.
In the second portion of the class we will analyze the elements of a captivating review and approaches into writing one.
In the final portion of the class the students will be encouraged apply their new insights to book reviews and to share possible angles for a book review on a book they have in mind.
I will be leading the class in discussion and sharing examples of several forms of book reviews via slides. In the final portion of the class I will encourage as much interactive discussion as time permits.
Students should come to class with a book in mind that they have recently read so that they can discuss possible approaches to a captivating book review on that book.
Please feel free to request a different time if needed.Learning Goals
Students will gain a new vision of the book review as an exciting opportunity for self-expression.
Students will further their academic and artistic writing skills in the art of the book review.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.9
452reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Receiving a master’s degree in English from BYU with an emphasis in creative writing was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with all things creative: novels, plays, movies, painting, music, dance, origami, cosplay, juggling, computer games, DnD . . . the list goes on.
On the STEM side of life I spent eight years in the United States Air Force as a radar technician. Working with the highly mobile radar of a forward air control post I traveled the world in C-130s, was buzzed by A-10s, and became proficient with various weaponry. Since the third grade I have been a student of the history of military aircraft, especially World War II.
As a published author of many short stories and four young adult novels I’m ready to help students create with the written word. In creative writing I teach the power of the word, the beauty of the sentence, the joy of the completed story. As a university instructor in critical reading/writing, I learned that a good author won’t tell you anything. A good author wants to see what you see after you read his/her book. We will learn how to know what we see and how to talk and write about it.
As a dad I homeschooled all eight of my children to support positive, independent thinking. I kept reading with my children long after they could read for themselves—until they left for college. I advocate reading and writing with classroom presentations and programs. I’ve been mentoring youth writers in the Juab Jotters writing group for several years.
When I’m not teaching you will find me pursuing my own never ending education, playing computer games with my children (great family time), cosplaying (last year it was Mystery Men), and spending time with my children and grandchildren (soon to be six).
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$14
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-8 learners per class
