Essay for Wendy Lewis

This is the prompt :

  

Read the book assigned to you. You will read one of four books on fires affecting elements of the built environment, covering a wide range of time. Upon completion of the book (and no later than October 10 at 1130pm) submit an electronic report (pdf, .doc, or .docx ONLY) via the turnitin assignment.

Be sure that your report answers the following questions:

1. WHAT BOOK did you read (give a full bibliographic citation)? (after report as an appendix)

2. What happened in the fire described in the book? Describe some particulars such as when and where did the fire occur, what type of structure was it, how severe was it – basically telling the story of the fire. Also, think about the kinds of destruction that are described - where was there significant damage, and why? Why did the fire happen? (1.5 pages max)

3. Why were so many people injured or killed? Be specific, and try to categorize the reasons that are expressed in the book. (2 pages max) Think about ways to present this information clearly, perhaps using tables or figures, or clearly organized text.

4. CONFIRM that the author is accurate. You will want at least two other sources (only one of which is internet based) that will allow you to opine on whether the author(s) of your book is accurate, in keeping with most people, or controversial in their theories about the ways the fire started or why it was so dangerous.  

5. Was the structure typical of other similar structures at that time? Would the same thing likely have happened at another similar structure? Were there specific features that did not comply with the law?

6. Did YOU like this book? Would you recommend it to others? Produce a review of it as an object of entertainment, perhaps using a review of a book in a magazine or newspaper as an example. (0.5 page max)

The overall report will be 5-6 pages in length, not counting any cover, table of contents, or appendices. You should use space-and-a half, 12 point font, 2 cm margins all around, A4 paper. Number your pages. Spelling, grammar, presentation will be graded. 

SUGGESTED* OUTLINE:

Front Matter (cover page, table of contents)

Introduction, to include a brief summary and a hint as to your key observations

Description of the Fire, to include item 2 above

Impact of the Fire, to include item 3 above

Setting of the Fire, to include item 5 above

Conclusions, to include your thoughts on, for example, any particularly interesting thoughts or observations you have on the fire and its relationship to cultural or functional design decisions or systems.

As discussed in class, you should determine if you believe that the author is expressing widely held or controversial views (item 4 above), and present this information as appropriate and relevant inside other sections. 

Back matter (a reference list with complete bibliographic records for any sources including the book you read and auxiliary sources (items 1 and 4), your review (item 6), and other relevant information you wish to include).

* Note that this is a suggestion. That means not a requirement. If you think of a better outline or way to organize that hits on all the questions, and that the reader can find them easily, then feel free to use it. The key thing – you MUST have an organized presentation of your thoughts, with paragraphs and groupings of content that make it readable.

This is the book;

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jhiMGzUmYGt5fvYC5kCPogsx5D1zN2Gg

5-6 pages not counting the table of content