Critical Book Review Assignment

1. After reading one of the suggested books on p.115 of the textbook, students are required to prepare a 3-5 page critical review.

2. Required components of the critical review:

A. Paraphrase the author's thesis or plural main points;
B. Restate the reason used by the author to arrive at the thesis;
C. Provide the reader with a representative sample of the support (evidence) for each reason;
D. Summarize the objections to the thesis which the author acknowledges (you may not find this easily, but don't give up--- most books have this feature);
E. Include the author's defense against the objections to the thesis;
F. Conclude with the student-writer's critical reaction to as many of the components above as possible.

3. The critical review is due on Wednesday evening, May 6; Thursday ( in Camden), May 7; and Friday, May 8. Late paper will be deducted ½ grade per day. The critical review will be counted as a test grade.

4. Format suggestions.
Consider the following format as an organizational tool. If you choose not to follow he format, be sure to include another way of dividing the paper. DO NOT have pages of running text with no subheadings.

Part I: Author's Position and Rationale
Part II: Author's Use of Evidence: Quality and Quantity
Part III: Refutation and Rebuttal
Part IV. Writer's Reaction

5. All quotes will be direct quotes. Page numbers in parenthesis will follow the quotes. The more quotes the better!! Students are credited for how much evidence they supply that they read the book under review. Conscious or unconscious plagiarism is not only unethical, but also works against the students' best interests in this assignment.

6. Grading Criteria:

Book Review Grade (Scale 1-low to 6-high)
______author's thesis or plural main points
______reason (s) used by the author to arrive at the thesis
______support (evidence) for each reason
______objections to the thesis which the author acknowledges
______author's defense against the objections to the thesis
______the student-writer's critical reaction

7. Technical Concerns:

A. The review must be typed, double-spaced, (if using computer, 12 font), no more than 1 inch margins.

B. Provide a cover page with information as follows:

name of the book
author's name
A Critical Review
by
Student's name

C. In lower left hand corner include the following:

Name of Course
Instructor
Date

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