Book Review

Assignment Sheet: Book Review

Fall 2018

The ability to write a review is an important analytical skill. A good review connects interested readers to an author’s writing. Reviews are for people who might read the book, not those who have already read the book. In a sense, a reviewer becomes a book’s ambassador.

Learning Objectives:  Learn and demonstrate the skills required for writing reviews

 Establish broader historical frameworks for understanding course materials for the History of Italy

 Provide each student the opportunity to produce an individualized pieces of work as part of this course

 Support for project development

Process:  Select readings from the list of works in the Supplementary Readings List in

Blackboard (Materials Tab)

 Use the outline below to write a review of between 350 and 500 words (1 ½ - 2 pages).

OOUUTTLLIINNEE FFOORR RREEVVIIEEWWIINNGG NNOONN--FFIICCTTIIOONN WWOORRKKSS I. What’s the thesis of this work? Why was it written?

(What’s the one really big message the author wants readers to understand?)

II. What kind of evidence does the author use to make her/his case? (How broad is the coverage? How deep? A lot of stories and examples? References to other histories? Statistics and other data? Diaries, business records, or official documents? Broad interpretations and speculation? Fictional reconstructions?)

III. Is the author convincing? (Is there a good “fit” between the evidence and what the author wants to say? Is the treatment of the evidence thorough and objective? Does the book have (or need) maps? Illustrations? Is the “big” story the author wants to tell really worth hearing? Do things hang together, or are there a lot of loose ends?)

IV. Are there any special features of this work that your readers should know about? (Is the writing particularly engaging? Stuffy or difficult? Is there anything noteworthy about the author or the book? Is this a classic work? Published very recently? Great illustrations? Helpful maps? One of many similar books?)

V. Reader recommendation? (Who will enjoy reading this book/article? Would this material appeal to most people, or is it really just for people with a special interest? Did you like the work? Are you glad you read it? Are you going to tell your friends or members of your family about it?) NOTE: Every book has an audience. It’s the reviewer’s job to identify that audience: Scholars, students, interested pleasure readers, children?

Notes: Generally, each point in the outline will serve as the basis for a paragraph. Reviews should run 1 -2 pages.

Grading (100 points for each review): • 20% Balance, coverage, and accuracy • 20% Demonstration of information literacy skills – appropriate bibliography,

citations, and information literacy conventions • 20% Appropriate uses of English grammar, word choices, and style • 20% Connections to course themes and the history of early-modern Europe • 20% Clarity of presentation, explanation of the author’s thesis

“Writing Reviews” (University of North Carolina Writing Center) http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/book-reviews/

Writing with Writers: Writing a Book Review

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/bookrev/index.htm