Each written assignment should be between 600-700 words (each paragraph should be about 100 words). I cannot strongly emphasize enough that these assignments are not book reports, but an analysis of the books’ themes and objectives. The assignments should be typed, size 12 font, one inch margins (on all sides) and double spaced. Any deviation will result in a deduction of points. On the assigned due date you are required to submit your papers through the appropriate link in ecourses. Submit your assignments in either .doc, .docx, or PDF formats. Any other format (i.e. Google Docs) will not be graded and may result in late points being applied to your essay. Late
submissions (defined as any essay submitted after 1159p on the due date) will be penalized 15 points.
Use the following as a guide in completing these assignments.
Heading (Please use the following heading for this assignment): Author’s name, title of the book (publisher, year)
Example:
John Lewis Gaddis, We Now Know: Rethinking the Cold War (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997)
Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
The first paragraph should introduce the subject matter of the book in an interesting and engaging manner. Make the audience want to continue reading beyond the first sentence. You should identify the author, title of the book/article and the thesis.
Paragraph 2-4 (Themes)
Identify and discuss three themes (one paragraph for each theme) and why you believe it is important to the story.
Paragraph 5 (Analysis)
Discuss what you perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the book. For example, the strengths could be the contribution to historical understanding, or the writing style. On the other hand, weaknesses could be complexity of terminology used or the lack of documentation.
Paragraph 6 (Conclusion)
Revisit the author’s thesis and discuss whether or not you believe the contents of the book were adequate to defended it (the thesis). If so, how? If not, why not?
Signature Block
Your name and date should be right-justified and placed at the end of the book review. Example:
Johnny Doright March 5, 1999