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Homework answers / question archive / History 261 Book Review Details 25% Students are responsible for writing a book review, 1500 to 2000 words in length (double spaced), excluding footnotes

History 261 Book Review Details 25% Students are responsible for writing a book review, 1500 to 2000 words in length (double spaced), excluding footnotes

History

History 261 Book Review Details 25%

Students are responsible for writing a book review, 1500 to 2000 words in length (double spaced), excluding footnotes. If you write fewer than 1500 words, you will be penalized. It is suggested that students use the maximum amount of space provided to them (2000 words) to do a full and excellent job. Please list your final wordcount, excluding footnotes, on your cover page.

 

The assignment is intended to help students hone their scholarly analysis and critical thinking skills when responding to scholarly books. Students are expected to read the book, think about its argument, and reflect on the efficacy of its claims. Students will first summarize the book. Students will then analyze the article’s argument, discussing its key claims, the evidence that was used to support them, and any issues that may have been overlooked. Students will be graded on the clarity of their argument, their use of evidence from the reading to support their claims, and their attention to detail in analyzing the work. A rubric is provided for marking clarity. Due Friday, February 26, 2021 at 11:59PM.

 

List of Books to Review (choose one):

 

Thistle, Jesse. From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2019). 

 

Details to Consider Before Writing:

  • What is the thesis—or main argument—of the book? If the author wanted you to get one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? What has the book accomplished?
  • What exactly is the subject or topic of the book? Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion? What is the approach to the subject (topical, analytical, chronological, descriptive)?
  • How does the author support her argument? What evidence does she use to prove her point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the author’s information (or conclusions) conflict with other books you’ve read, courses you’ve taken or just previous assumptions you had of the subject?
  • How does the author structure her argument? What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument make sense? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
  • How has this book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the book to your reader?

Beyond the internal workings of the book, you may also consider some information about the author and the circumstances of the text’s production:

  • Who is the author? Nationality, political persuasion, training, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. Does it matter, for example, that the biographer was the subject’s best friend? What difference would it make if the author participated in the events she writes about?
  • What is the book’s genre? Out of what field does it emerge? Does it conform to or depart from the conventions of its genre? These questions can provide a historical or literary standard on which to base your evaluations. If you are reviewing the first book ever written on the subject, it will be important for your readers to know. Keep in mind, though, that naming “firsts”—alongside naming “bests” and “onlys”—can be a risky business unless you’re absolutely certain.

** Above excerpt taken from: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/

 

Assignment Submission

 

Please upload your assignment to eClass on the due date. Your assignments will be accepted until 11:59PM on the due date. Given the problems in eClass during the Fall 2020 semester, I strongly recommend that you upload your file before 11:59pm to accommodate for eClass glitches or slow upload speeds. Assignments that are received after 11:59PM will be penalized by 10% per day (including weekends). Assignments later than three days will not be accepted and given a grade of zero.

 

All files will be prepared as though you would be handing in a paper copy – you must include a title page (listing your title, your name, and the course information and word count), numbered pages, and a properly formatted document (double-spaced, 12pt New Times Roman font). ONLY MS Word files will be accepted: .doc or .docx. MS Word software is available to all

UAlberta students, for free. This course uses the Chicago Manual of Style. All written work must be referenced in this manner, students should consult the information below for writing papers. 

 

When submitting, please name your file: LAST NAME, FIRST NAME BOOK TITLE.docx. For instance, if I wrote a book review on From the Ashes, my file submission would appear as follows: FRASER, CRYSTAL FROM THE ASHES.docx.

 

Your graded assignments will be uploaded to eClass for your viewing. After receiving your grade from a marked assignment, please wait 24 hours before contacting me for additional feedback or clarification. I will not respond to email queries about graded assignments until at least 24 hours have passed.

 

          

BOOK REVIEW MARKING RUBRIC

 

Criteria

Excellent A+ to A-

Very Good B+ to B-

Good

C+ to C-

Fair

D+ to D-

Poor

F

 

Writing Style & Format

  • Cover page (title, name, student ID number, course name/number, professor, word count)
  • Use of correct page numbers, Chicago Style footnotes & bibliography
  • The student uses active verbs, a good vocabulary, and no jargon
  • Sentences vary in length and structure and emphasize the material
  • The writing is a pleasure to read and clear, not awkwardly presented

 

 

 

 

 

Thesis Statement/Argument

  • The argument is clearly articulated in the introduction
  • The argument runs throughout the body  Evidence is used that supports the argument
  • The argument is made clear in the conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of Book Structure

  • Analysis of front and back matter
  • Evaluation of bibliography and references
  • Use of nontextual resources
  • Identify other noteworthy observations

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of the Author’s Purpose,

Goals, & Methodology

  • Explanation of the author’s purpose, goals, and methodology
  • Discussion of the positionality of the author (gender, race, class, discipline, etc.)
  • How the above factors should be considered in light of the book’s content

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of the Content & Argument

  • Examination of content and argument
  • Use of critical analysis tools
  • Depth of grasp of the material
  • Incorporation of other materials in your analysis
  • Personal engagement with the materials

 

 

 

 

 

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