Book Review on Stephanie M.H. Camp’s Closer to Freedom
DIRECTIONS: To complete this assignment, you must fully read Stephanie M.H. Camp’s Closer to Freedom: Enslaved Women and Everyday Resistance in the Plantation South. After you read, you will need to write a book review summarizing the book and connecting it to the material we have discussed in class. The book review must do the following in order to earn the full points:
- Clearly explain the central argument (thesis) that the author is making.
- Explain how the author proves her argument, including specific details from the book. In other words, summarize the book.
- Identify the book’s contribution(s) to historical literature and our understanding of slavery in the nineteenth century.
- Explain what sources the author uses to prove her argument.
- Tie the book and its argument to what we have discussed in class. How does the book reinforce, challenge, and/or expand upon what you have learned in class about slavery in the nineteenth century?[unique_solution]
Your book review must be 3 to 5 pages in length, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and double-spaced. Please do not try to fool me by manipulating the font size, margins, or spacing (also, don’t do that thing where you increase the size of the periods—yes, I know all of the tricks). I will be reading many of these papers in a row, and I WILL notice even small manipulations. Also, your header will not count toward the length requirement—if you submit a 3-page paper with a header that covers 1/3 of the first page, you will be penalized.
Your paper must be grammatical and reasonably well written. You have plenty of time to proofread your paper, and I am also happy to look at drafts. You do not need to include citations, unless you are using a direct quote from the book (I discourage using too many direct quotes—the paper should mostly be in your own words, and you will be docked for heavy quoting). If you use a direct quote, cite the page number in parentheses after the quote. You do not need a works cited page since you are only using one book.
This assignment will be worth 100 points, or 20 percent over your overall course grade. A hard copy will be due at the end of class on Tuesday, December 5. Late book reviews will be deducted 10 points for each day late and will no longer be accepted after three days. Late assignments may be emailed to the instructor.
HIST 1301: U.S. History to 1877
Instructor: Dr. Christopher Haight
Book Review: DUE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5
Assignments will not be accepted after Friday, December 8. Assignments turned in by email after class on April 25 will be considered a full day late.
This should go without saying, but plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. If you plagiarize any part of this book review, you will receive a zero on the assignment and will face further disciplinary action. DON’T DO IT. DO NOT
USE SPARKNOTES OR ONLINE REVIEWS. DO NOT COPY FROM THE BOOK. THIS IS NOT A GROUP ASSIGNMENT—IT SHOULD BE COMPLETED INDIVIDUALLY.
Finally, do not wait until the last minute to begin this book review. Remember that this assignment is worth 20 percent of your course grade. Writing a good book review takes time and requires multiple drafts and editing—turning in a hastily written first draft that you wrote the night before will be noticeable and will have a major impact on your grade. Please also remember that I am more than happy to look at rough drafts and give you feedback. Take advantage!
If you have any questions about the assignment, please do not hesitate to see or email me. Good luck!