Book Analysis Essay Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR BOOK ANALYSIS ESSAY

You have already received the book list, and made your choice of reading.

The basic task is threefold:

1. Write a good synopsis or abstract of the story or argument in the book. This should be no more than one page in length, and is your lead-in to what will follow.

2. The body of your paper should be a dissection of the author’s moral point of view. In other words, what detectable stand does the author take? Is it recognizable in terms of the moral position that we have discussed aloud in class up to now? Sometimes an author’s stance is not stated outright, but is hidden in the characters and events that make up the narrative or “the case” the author is building. For example, if the sympathetic hero is a true scoundrel, and he gets let off from his crimes freely and easily, then you might suspect that the author doesn’t think much of the world’s justice. Once you explain how this works in this story, then it would be appropriate for you to discuss exactly whether you agree or disagree with that view of society, human nature, etc.

3. The concluding half-page (or so) of your paper might be some reflection on how the book and its thesis met your tastes and preferences. Did you enjoy it? What surprised or disappointed you? What troubled you? What did you find most challenging? Why do you think the author chose this particular topic? Etc….

Format:

Your paper will be 3½ to 4½ pages in length--in other words, 4 pages. As usual, it should be typewritten using standard size and style font, without a cover page or folder, double-spaced, etc. It should contain the bibliographical information about the edition of the book you have selected to write about. Remember to proofread, because the spelling checker in your computer is not always your friend. Better yet, have a literate human being proofread your draft along the way.