Essay help
Strangers in their Own Land
Book Review Prompt
Pedagogy: The purpose of this assignment is to practice writing an academic book review, using Strangers in their Own Land as the object of your review.
Background notes: If you pursue the career path of a PhD academic research sociologist, you will have a much easier time finding a job after graduation if you have publications under your belt. This can be very hard to do if you have not yet established a name for yourself. A common means for budding academics to get a first publication is submitting a book review to a disciplinary journal in which they review a recent book publication by an established researcher. An academic book review has several important components and is not at all the same as a high school book report. Your goal is to critically review the book, giving serious consideration to its arguments, strengths, and weaknesses.
Book reviews are, by nature, short. However, “short” does not necessarily translate to “easy.” Like any piece of writing with space constraints (think op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, employment cover letters, and college admissions essays), you have a limited number of words to use in getting across to your reader a number of key ideas. This kind of writing is incredibly tight; every word counts so you must choose your words very judiciously. Expect to spend as much time on this assignment as you would on a much longer research paper or on your college admissions essay.
How to prepare for the assignment
Read the entire book first (obviously) and read it early enough that you have time to marinate on it for a few days prior to plotting your review. Assuming that you have never written an academic book review before, you will be best off if you study the basic components before you begin to write. No need for me to reinvent the wheel, as there are abundant sources already written on the topic. Listed next are some of the sites that I recommend as places to get started. You may wish to look up academic reviews of other Sociology books you have read in the past to get a sense of the format. You can find plenty online and also on search engines like JSTOR (available through the research databases search tool at https://library.ucsc.edu/Links to an external site. .
Recommended Sources:
· https://wendybelcher.com/writing-advice/how-to-write-book-review/ (Links to an external site.)
· https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/ (Links to an external site.)
Assignment parameters:
· Your book review should be between 800 and 1200 words. Sometimes there is wiggle room in word counts; this is not one of those times. Please include your word count at the bottom.
· Please use 11- or 12-point font and choose a standard font such as Times.
· Please edit beautifully for spelling, punctuation, organization, and writing mechanics.
· The tone of this paper should be formal and appropriate for publication in an academic journal.
· The paper must be written with extreme care for avoiding plagiarism. Your assignment will be run through a plagiarism detector. Evidence of breach of academic integrity will be treated seriously.
· Please include a citation for Strangers in their Own Land at the bottom in ASA format (not included in your word count). For guidance on ASA, see http://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/documents/teaching/pdfs/Quick_Tips_for_ASA_Style.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Rubric
Book Review Rubric
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Book Review Rubric |
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Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCompletion of assignment Assignment meets required length minimums. Word count is included at bottom. |
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20.0 pts |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFollowing instructions Assignment includes all required components: introduction with thesis, summary of argument, "about the author" section, summary of book's contents, critical review of strengths and weaknesses, and conclusion. |
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10.0 pts |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting quality Basic grammar and writing mechanics conventions are observed. Paper has few or no typographical errors. Topics are organized and follow in a logical order. The paper can have a personal edge to it, but should still read as formal writing. |
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10.0 pts |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEffective engagement with the book Through detail provided in the narrative, paper exhibits thoughtful and effective engagement with the book's ideas and arguments. Writer demonstrates having read and understood the book, regardless of their ultimate position on the effectiveness of the case it makes. |
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40.0 pts |
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This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCoherence and crafting of narrative How well does the writer the story they set out to tell? Does the writer weave the narrative together in a logical way? Does it cause the reader to think new thoughts about the topic? Is the writing artful? Is it creative? Does it make the reader feel intrigued to read more? Is the reader left more or less trustful of the writer as critic? |
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