Strategies for Writing Interesting and Informative Book Reviews to Build Social Awareness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63453/jcse.v2i2.60Keywords:
Generation Z; critical literacy; book review; social awareness; community service.Abstract
The development of digital technology and social media has influenced the literacy patterns of Generation Z, which tend to reduce in-depth reading habits and critical thinking skills. This condition has resulted in a low social awareness among the younger generation in responding to increasingly complex social issues. One potential critical literacy strategy to address this problem is writing book reviews, as it can train analytical skills, reflection, and the systematic delivery of ideas. However, the skill of writing engaging and informative reviews remains a challenge due to a lack of mentoring and the perception that book reviews are academic and lack context. This community service activity aims to provide training and practical guidance to Generation Z in writing critical book reviews relevant to social issues. The methods used included material delivery, interactive discussions, and review writing practice. The results of the activity demonstrated an increased understanding of the structure, techniques, and function of book reviews as a medium for social reflection. This activity is expected to foster a culture of critical literacy and strengthen Generation Z's social awareness through educational, communicative, and responsible writing.
References
Bahri, H. S., Sapriya, S., & Halimi, M. (2018). Penguatan wawasan kebangsaan generasi muda melalui kegiatan tadarus buku. Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan, 15(2), 126–133.
Chang, C.-W., & Chang, S.-H. (2023). The Impact of Digital Disruption: Influences of Digital Media and Social Networks on Forming Digital Natives’ Attitude. SAGE Open, 13. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231191741
Dunas, D. V, & Vartanov, S. A. (2020). Emerging digital media culture in Russia: modeling the media consumption of Generation Z. Journal of Multicultural Discourses, 15(2), 186–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/17447143.2020.1751648
Fitrianingrum, N., & Aryani, I. (2024). Critical Analysis of Writing Skills through School Literacy Movement in Grade IV Students of SD Negeri 2 Pamijen. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Social Science (ICSS). https://doi.org/10.59188/icss.v3i1.197
Handayani, T., & Lestari, P. (2025). Pengaruh Kompetensi Komunikasi Hati dan Dukungan Sosial Teman Sebaya Terhadap Resiliensi Akademik Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir The Influence of Heart Communication Competence and Peer Social Support on Academic Resilience of Final Year Students. Komunikatif: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 14(1), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.33508/jk.v14i1.7359
Holur, P., Shahsavari, S., Ebrahimzadeh, E., Tangherlini, T. R., & Roychowdhury, V. (2021). Modelling social readers: novel tools for addressing reception from online book reviews. Royal Society Open Science, 8(12), 210797.
Kousha, K., Thelwall, M., & Abdoli, M. (2017). Goodreads reviews to assess the wider impacts of books. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 68(8), 2004–2016.
Mahadi, U. (2021). Komunikasi pendidikan (urgensi komunikasi efektif dalam proses pembelajaran). JOPPAS: Journal of Public Policy and Administration Silampari, 2(2), 80–90.
Morais, J., & Kolinsky, R. (2021). Seeing thought: a cultural cognitive tool. Journal of Cultural Cognitive Science, 5(2), 181–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41809-020-00059-0
Nurochim, & Ngaisah, S. (2021). Analisis Isi Sikap Sosial Dalam Buku Ajar Pendidikan Agama Islam Dan Budi Pekerti. Al Hikmah: Journal of Education, 2(1), 37–52.
Putri, A. N. L., Sutarto, S., & Wahyuni, D. (2024). Meta Analisis Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa SMP dalam Pembelajaran IPA. Jurnal Penelitian Pembelajaran Fisika. https://doi.org/10.26877/jp2f.v15i1.15580
Wijayati, H., Murdani, A., & Haqqi, H. (2025). Gerakan Cinta Literasi Bagi Remaja Untuk Mendukung Budaya Berpikir Kritis. JMM (Jurnal Masyarakat Mandiri). https://doi.org/10.31764/jmm.v9i2.29428
