As you read the book, keep track of statements which are in some way meaningful to you. "Meaningful" can mean the idea is a new one...or is one with which you agree or disagree...or is a new way of expressing ideas you've already had...or which reminds you of other ideas. In other words, I'm interested in what gets your attention in some way. The point is that it should be meaningful to you, not me. I suggest you put check marks in the margins as you read...beside quotes you may want to include in the report. After you have finished reading the book, you will undoubtably have a considerable number of check marks...i.e. the pool from which you will select to write about.
From these "possible" selections, you are to select Ten (10) which you consider the most meaningful to you. After you have picked these 10, pick Five (5) of them for Short Reaction and Five (5) for more Detailed Response. "Short Reaction" means 2 or 3 sentences explaining why you picked it. "Detailed Response" means a more detailed analysis...a more in-depth reaction to the ideas. Your responses to these 10 quotes will constitute the bulk of your report. The selection of them...from all the "possibles" you kept track of...will probably be the hardest part of this assignment...i.e. deciding which to include in your final 10. Also...and very importantly...your analysis, while based on and containing your "opinion," needs to be more than mere opinion. Once again, in these detailed responses, you must utilize concepts and ideas from lectures and readings in your analysis and to back up your opinions and positions.
Your report should begin with a Summary of the book. This should be no longer than one page. A summary is not the place for detail after detail...nor a place for personal reaction (See below). Rather, a summary should enable a potential reader of the book to understand what the book is about...to help them decide whether to read it or not.
Following the Summary, write a short (i.e. 1/2 page or so) Personal Reaction to the book. Tell what you think of it, the author, the content...or anything you desire.
Next, list the five quotes you selected for Short Reaction...with page number...and your short reaction for each.
Finally, list the five quotes you selected for Detailed Analysis...again...with page numbers. These five quotes can be about different matters...or can be connected in some way. You can either list each one and your analysis...or you can weave them into an essay or story...your choice. Whichever way you choose, be sure to indicate which quote you are dealing with. Also, do not recopy extremely long quotes (i.e. those over 5 sentences)...but rather, select a representative part of the quote and then indicate that there is more to it.
Maximum Length of the Body of the Report is...10 Pages
Summary: Book Report will consist of:
2. Personal Reaction to the Book 3. Five Quotes with Short Reaction 4. Five Quotes with Detailed Analysis
1. Summary of the Book
Finally: You may be as creative or uncreative in your writing as you'd like. In other words, if you're a creative writer, use your abilities. However, if you aren't that creative, then just list the quotes and react...that's fine. My point is that your grade does NOT depend on creativeness...but rather, on substance or content.
