History Orientation

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History Orientation

• Jane McKenna
• Librarian

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Library Resources

• Computers
• Textbooks
• Librarians
• Workshops
• Study Rooms

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Student id Library card
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Writing a Book Review

• A reviewer has two goals
• Inform the reader about the content of the book
• Provide an evaluation that gives your judgement
  of the books quality

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Thesis

• A proposition for consideration, especially one
  to be discussed and proved or disproved.
  Dictionary of Literary Terms
• If the author wanted you to get one idea from the
  book, what would it be? What is the author's
  purpose in writing the book? Is the thesis
  clear, logical and supported?

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Bias and Perspective

• From what point of view does the author write?
• Does any of the author's information (or
  conclusions) conflict with other books you've
  read, courses you've taken or just previous
  assumptions you had of the subject?
• Does the author cover all aspects of the subject
  in a balanced fashion?
• Did the author neglect information or a point of
  view that might have changed the interpretation?
• Compare the book to other books or known facts
  and don't be afraid to be critical.

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Evidence

• How does the author support his/her argument?
• What evidence does he/she use to prove her point?
  Do you find that evidence convincing?
• What other writings does the author include to
  support their thesis?

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Structure

• How does the author structure the argument?
• What are the parts that make up the whole? Does
  the argument make sense? Does it persuade you?
  Why or why not?
• How has this book helped you understand the
  subject?
• Is the book well written?

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Audience

• Is the book accessible to any college level
  reader or only to a specialist?

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Impact

• What impact does this work have in its field?
• Does it contribute something original?
• Will it have lasting value?

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Your Evaluation

• What is your response to the author's point of
  view? Are you convinced?
• What do you think to be the greatest strength and
  weakness of the work?
• What does the book contribute to your
  understanding of the subject? What questions were
  left unanswered? Would you recommend the book to
  your reader?
• Remember, back your opinions with facts or
  examples.

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Selecting a Book

• Use Library Catalogs
• COA Library Catalog
• Other Library Catalogs

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Locating Background Info.

• Textbook and lectures
• Reference Books (ex. Subject Encyclopedias,
  Chronologies)
• How to Write Book Reports REF PE1478 .T45
  2002
• Japanese American History REF E184.J3 J3355
  1993
• COA Catalog (browse books for subject and/or
  author)
• Article Databases (search for subject and/or
  author)

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Citing Sources

• Plagiarism
• MLA Citation Style