http://knol.google.com/k/how-to-write-powerful-advanced-article-reviews#
How to Write Powerful Advanced Article Reviews Template method empowers you.
Since we live in a show-and-tell world, a complete review example is provided next. It demonstrates how a typical review might read.
Article Review Example
This review was built using the "paint by numbers" template detailed in this Knol (a unit of knowledge):
A perceptive article from an emerging small business management sphere.
The knol, Small Business Coach, written by Lisa Murray, analyzes the role and contribution of the coach in enhancing small business performance.
The author presents a rationale for small business managers and those wishing to engage the services of a small business coach, which the author believes is beneficial for both the successful establishment and management of a small business. The author is keen to point out that a Small Business Coach can add value in multiple ways and can deliver benefits many times greater than the costs of engagement. My overall impression is that the author has documented the line of argument in a helpful way whilst employing a tidy, relevant and logical methodology.
In this article, the author has relied on the research involved in completing an MBA from a internationally recognized university, her years of coaching experience and her own "hands-on" insights gleaned from the establishment of her own business. The author contends that whether you are already a small business owner or want to be one – you don’t need to go it alone.
Small business owners will find this article useful for understanding the role and contribution that a business coach can add to the performance of their enterprise as would small business intenders who would benefit from the services of an experienced companion as they undertake the challenging journey of working for themselves.
Though lacking informative depth in any particular area, the article does clearly define the differing roles of coach, mentor and consultant. It lists 45 strategies that small business owners can adopt to revive their business. And it sets out five value-added ways that a business coach could be engaged (project based; direction-setting regular checkup; stretch targets; modeling; and mentoring)
The author nicely articulates the benefits of engaging a Small Business Coach, and this gives support to the author’s key claim:
“Ask your coach for support - a good business coach will have a range of mindset techniques, tools and tips that enable you to move past these paralyzing emotions and into a space where anything is possible!”
In summary, I believe that the author’s position -- a Small Business Coach can add value to small businesses -- has been effectively supported. Small business owners and intenders may be encouraged to engage the services of a small business coach after reading and understanding this article. Lisa has provided her own contact details for those so motivated, and gives insight on how to find a coach in your locale.
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Primary Review Questions
UTQUOTE: Are there text quotation(s) from the article that captured the key essence of the author's message or a point you wish to challenge? Write them down exactly when you find them during the first reading, or make a note to record them during the next reading.
In what field of study does this article fall? i.e. business, management, entrepreneurial, life, education, health, religion, auto maintenance, marriage, dating, technology etc.). Sometimes this is hard to pin down. A useful way is the high altitude method: from 30,000 feet, what does this Knol seem to be about?
What is the author’s stated occupation or point-of-view? (You may need to visit the author's Knol page and bio, if available, to get this). Another version of this question: Where is the author coming from? If not available, the answer to the question is "not available." (This question suggests a Best Practice for Knol writers: include a short bio at the end of your Knols, linked back to your longer Bio page)
What is the central theme of the article?
Who is the primary target audience of this article?
What is the author trying to convey to this target audience?
What activity of the target audience will the information in this article effect?
Out of the central theme (#3), what are the chief point(s) of the article?
What research or experience has the author relied upon in this article?
Who or what else in the article supports the author’s position?
What is the major finding or conclusion that the author reaches in this article?
What changes or actions will the primary target audience take or do better after reading this article?
Who else could benefit from this article?
If you sense a secondary audience, what change or actions will the secondary group take or do better after reading this article? (for example, an article about child behavior directed at parents has grandparents as a secondary audience even if the author does not acknowledge this).
What are the article's major weaknesses? (for example, failure to acknowledge the role of grandparents and close friends in the prior question).
How does the article cover or make up for this weakness?
Is there a major positive outcome from this article? What is it?
Does the author advance a primary position in the article? What is it?
What key understanding, insight or improvement has the author introduced in this article?
What could or should this article lead to in terms of future research, other articles or author contact?