Spring 2024 Mexican Amer Hist (HIST-451-01A)
Book Review #2: Raza Schools by Jesus Jesse Esparza
Book Review #2: Raza Schools by Jesus Jesse Esparza
Assignment Content
Guidelines for Book Reviewers
This assignment requires that you are committed to producing reviews that support rigorous, nuanced, and constructive dialogue in the field of history. In your review, please adhere to the following guidelines:
1. The review should be no more than two pages. The review should be two full pages.
2. The review should be typed, double-spaced, use 12-point font, use Times New Roman font, and have a one-inch margin on all four sides of the page.
3. Page references are required for all direct quotations. At the end of the sentence, open the parenthesis, write the page number, and close the parenthesis. Use the following model as an example. “This is a story about empowered and educated women assuming leadership roles in historically patriarchal communities.” (33). Please supply publication dates for other referenced sources (if you use them) in the review using the following example. “In The Modern School Movement, Paul Avrich (1980) argues that…”.
4. Please refrain from incorporating footnotes or endnotes. If you must use them, adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition.
5. Please provide the headnote information (at the top of the review in lieu of a title) using the following example: Author. Title of Book. Location of Press: Name of Press, Year of Publication. Number of Pages. See the second example. Barbara Ransby. Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2004. 496 pp.
6. The body of the review should address the following elements: Purpose, Structure, Thesis, and Relation to Class. Use the following template as a model. Paragraph 1: The purpose of this book is to… (here you are to provide, in your own words, what you believe the author’s purpose was for writing this book. What is it about? Whom is he/she trying to reach? Give an example that supports your statement.) Paragraph 2: The book is structured in the following… (here you are to describe the structure of the book. How is it put together? Does its structure help or hinder the reader from following the author’s argument? Provide an example to strengthen your case.) Paragraph 3: The author’s main argument is… (here you are to address what you feel the author’s central argument or thesis is. Exactly what point (or points) is the author trying to make? Provide an example that helps to support your view.) Paragraph 4: This book relates to class (or doesn’t relate to class) by… (here you are to provide a brief paragraph that relates exactly how the book fits within the course structure. Why was this specific book assigned and not some other study? Was the assignment of this book a good one? Explain why or why not.)
7. Be sure to type your name at the end of the review exactly as you want it to appear, with your name flush left and your class flush left below your name, using the following example. The name and class should be single-spaced:
Jane Doe
History 451
8. You do not need a cover sheet or title page, nor do you need to repeat the book publishing information in the text; repeating that information again will only take up valuable space for you that would be better served by providing your thoughts and ideas on the book, which is precisely what I wish to see.
9. Avoid quoting from the book unless necessary to make some specific point. Excessive quoting will result in points being deducted from your overall score. If you must, use a short quote and provide a quick citation using the page number from which you drew the quote in parentheses. For example, Nash contends that “South Carolinians hated each other.” (393). Be concise but be clear in your writing.
10. Proof your paper for grammar and spelling errors. As noted in your syllabus, two course objectives are to “improve skills of analysis and logical reasoning” and “improve the ability to write and comment effectively.” This writing assignment helps you improve in both areas. You should consult with the following Campus Writing Labs for assistance: the MTM Writing Clinic located in the MLK room 252 (713-313-7981) and the SAES Writing Lab located in the Fairchild room 167 (713-131-4355).
Grading: As noted in the syllabus, this assignment is worth a maximum of 100 points. It will be graded using the guidelines listed above. Each of the four elements of the paper is worth a
maximum of 20 points apiece, with 20 points reserved for overall clarity of writing style, originality of thought, grammar, format, and spelling. Altogether, this assignment adds up to 100 points. Papers submitted late, without prior approval from me, will be penalized 10 points for each day late, assessed after the paper has been graded.
Internet: Avoid using the Internet for this assignment. DO NOT USE OTHER BOOK REVIEWS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. Aside from the fact that the quality of reviews on the internet ranges drastically in quality and value, I want YOUR individual ideas on the book. You do not need to look at the work of others to tell me your opinion. And all too often, looking at the opinions of others only clouds your view, making it even harder for you to convey your own thoughts clearly. Write the review in your own words.
Academic Dishonesty/Integrity: The syllabus addresses this point clearly. “Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism or cheating on the exams or other assignments, will result in failure of those assignments and class and possibly grounds for suspension from the University.” Do not plagiarize. As always, if you have any questions at all on the contents of this guideline, please feel free to contact me.
Submitting Assignment: To turn the paper in, click on Book Review #1 assignment in your Blackboard course. There you will see the Submission box for you to drag and drop or upload your document. Please make sure to submit your work as a PDF or Word file (Pages and G-Docs do not always work with Blackboard) Safe Assign will automatically check your paper for plagiarism. See the following link for the University’s policy on academic dishonesty, as well as your professor’s syllabus. www.tsu.edu/ssp/2015-TSU-Student-Code-of- Conduct.pdf
