01
Open with your judgement
State a bounded assessment of one argument or explanation. Avoid spending most of the paragraph retelling the topic. Your reader should know what you are evaluating.
02
Show the textual evidence
Identify the passage, example, or omission your judgement depends on. Keep quotation short and explain its relevance. A page reference makes the assessment easier to inspect.
03
Consider a reasonable alternative
Ask how someone could interpret the same evidence differently. Address the strongest plausible alternative, then explain why your judgement still holds or needs qualification.
04
End with an implication
Explain what your assessment means for the intended reader or application. If you only have a catalogue description, evaluate the promise and the questions it raises; do not present that as a review of the full book.