Feedback on my article: Reviews of 5 Books That Will Change Your Life

1. 73

   Amarculesei Dianaposted 4 years ago

   Hi Hubbers,
   
   I'd like some help with passing the Quality Assessment Process. Will you please give me feedback on my article? Thanks!
   
   Here is my article: Reviews of 5 Books That Will Change Your Life

   replyreport
   1. 76

      theraggededgeposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there,
      
      I think the problem is that you have titled the article as 'Reviews' - they are not reviews, they are recommendations. A non-fiction book review is more comprehensive and neutral in tone. It looks at pros and cons; what works and what doesn't; what it includes and what it leaves out.
      
      You should also use the actual book cover images - it's fine to do so because the cover is part of the marketing of the book.
      
      I like the image you used at the top of the article but you must cite and link to its source.
      
      As far as the content goes, your opinions of each book are very short and they wouldn't make me want to buy the book/s. I'd need more in-depth information. When I buy a non-fiction book based on someone's recommendation it's usually because of their enthusiasm and how they describe the benefits to them.
      
      So maybe you could go back through, change the photos and add a bit more content?
      
      Edit: You really have to change your bio. Your readers want to know about you as a person not about your SEO skills.

      replyreport
      1. 73

         Amarculesei Dianaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Hello,
         
         Thank you so much for your feedback. I will try to do all the suggested modifications and update the content with in-depth information.
         
         Regarding the picture used at the top, that is a photo of me, so I don't really have a link to that (maybe my Instagram?).

         replyreport
         1. 76

            theraggededgeposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            That's brilliant, what a cool photo! Just add 'Photo author's own' in the source box.

            replyreport
   2. 80

      Kyler J Falkposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      It is as ragged has said, the reviews are a bit short.
      
      As well, your grammar is a little bit under par. For example: "It teaches you why you don't know how to see the world as it is and why do you like to exaggerate when it comes to this."
      
      This should read a little more like: It teaches you that your perceptions of the world are not always what they seem, and why it is your mind likes to exaggerate when it comes to perceiving the world.
      
      As a general rule I also try to avoid telling my readers they are wrong in a direct/indirect way, it tends to put most people off to be told things in such a way. Instead I like to opt for softer, but more redirecting language like the way I rewrote that sentence. Even better would be providing a quote from the book that offers a real-life example of the statement being made to offset the blunt "your perceptions are wrong" feeling.

      replyreport
      1. 73

         Amarculesei Dianaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you for pointing this out, I will try to add a quote from the book that supports my statement. Also, I will rewrite the sentence to avoid this direct/indirect way of telling people that they're wrong.

         replyreport
   3. 84

      quotationsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      As other have mentioned your reviews are a bit too short and lack enough substance to let the reader know if your assessment of their merit is correct. You may want to provide a bit of background and explain what makes them great with examples. I am not familiar with most of your books except Frankk's Man's Search for Meaning. The story of this book and the man who wrote it is fascinating. He was in a death camp. He had a book manuscript, his life's work, destroyed by guards. His wife and daughters were exterminated. Yet he was able to find meaning in his life and his suffering. You should talk about things like this because they are interesting but also because they add meaning and make your point by example.
      
      You mentioned in your bio that you have legal training. Think of it as a legal brief to a judge. You would outline the facts, focusing on the key points that support your argument, and then lead the judge (in this case the reader) to a conclusion.

      replyreport
      1. 73

         Amarculesei Dianaposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you for your feedback! I've tried to manage how much information is shared so that the reader will be the one that will discover more. I did not want to divulge too many details of a specific book, but to show the impact of reading it by yourself.  As others already have mentioned, I will try to update the content and add more in-depth information.

         replyreport