Pox Americana by Elizabeth A. Fenn
Reading Response Reviews
These review essays are academic reviews. The task of the review is to analytically evaluate the text. Do not summarize the book. This is also not a research paper, so you will need no sources other than the book under review; it is not necessary to look for supplementary or explanatory material elsewhere in course readings or the internet to provide content for the essay. Engage the book’s content and nothing else.
[Tips: You should state the book’s thesis clearly in your introduction. Other topics which your paragraphs may focus on include the author’s source work, methods/organization, and/or style. You may also choose to evaluate the author’s choices, judgments, errors, or effectiveness. Generally, a reader of your review should understand the merits and flaws of the book without reading a summary of the book.]
Format:
• 1000 words [Do not expect a passing grade for 300 or 500 words; do not expect an A for 700 or 800 words!]
• 10- or 12-point font
• Double space
• One-inch margins
• Cite with footnotes in Chicago style, not in parenthetical MLA style. If this is new to you,
try it! Do not be stressed about citations, I will give you feedback and errors in your
notes will not affect your grade.
• Papers without citations will receive an F.
Content:
• Your paper must be carefully edited. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling count. No paper will receive an A if it has more than 5 basic writing errors.
• Cultivate your own voice/style. You will be writing a lot of papers in college, so find your voice. This does not mean the papers are about you. You are not the subject. Do not write about yourself.
