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History / World History

Write & Cite

Kwantlen History students are required to use the Chicago citation style. Please note that although Chicago allows for both parenthetical references as well as footnotes/endnotes, students are directed to use the footnote/endnote system only.

If in doubt, check with your instructor!

Supplemental resources:

Chicago Citation Style LibGuide - University of Lethbridge

From the OWL at Purdue University: Comprehensive information about Chicago Style, including formatting and sample papers

From the University of Chicago: Turabian Quick Guide (Turabian is a simplified form of the Chicago Manual of Style)

 

his·to·ri·og·ra·phy noun 

1 a : the writing of history; especially : the writing of history based on the critical examination of sources, the selection of particulars from the authentic materials, and the synthesis of particulars into a narrative that will stand the test of critical methods b : the principles, theory, and history of historical writing <a course in historiography>
2 : the product of historical writing : a body of historical literature
(www.merriam-webster.com)
 
Selected Writing Guides:

Online Guides

There are often good writing guides online - look for those created by universities. Here are some examples:

Writing About History, University of Toronto

A Brief Guide to Writing the History Paper - Harvard College

When writing a research paper, you must always cite any sources that you have consulted. You must acknowledge when you are using the ideas, information, arguments, phrases or any other intellectual or creative output by another person. Not to do so is referred to as plagiarism.   Any form of cheating is a serious offense that comes with disciplinary consequences: see KPU's Policy ST2, entitled Student Academic Integrity Policy. The related Procedures for Dealing with Academic Integrity Violations offers definitions of cheating and plagiarism.

Before You Start!

  • This is intended as a general guide to writing book reviews in History - your instructor may have specific instructions. Make sure you understand the assignment!
  • If a particular book is not assigned, choose one on a topic that interests you. See the "Books and E-Books" tab to the left for suggestions on subjects you might choose.
  • Pick a book that has substance and standing. Consider the author's credentials and expertise - you may want to Google him/her to see what else they have written or what positions they have held. Consider the book's publisher: most academic books are published by university presses or major publishing houses.

Read Critically

First you need to read the book! As you do, consider the following:

  • What is the author’s purpose in writing the book? Check the introduction or preface.
  • Does the author have a stated or implicit point of view?
  • What are the author's qualifications?
  • What are the author's main points? Check the introduction again or the table of contents.
  • What evidence does the author cite to prove these points? Does the evidence actually support his/her thesis?
  • How well does the author explain the context of the subject? Does he/she connect it to wider developments or events? Does this help you understand the topic better?
  • What does the author omit, exclude, or overlook? Remember to assess this based on the author's stated parameters!
  • How successfully does the writer carry out his/her stated intentions?
  • How does the book fit with other books on the same topic? Is it ground-breaking, presenting new information or interpretation or is it summative?
  • Is the book well written? Is it easy to understand or full of jargon? Does it flow logically?
  • What sources has the author used? Check the notes and bibliography to see if primary, secondary, and/or archival material has been cited. Is this appropriate to the topic and thesis of the book?

Writing the Review

Some general rules:

  • Remember that a book review is NOT a book report! The purpose of a review is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a book and to provide an opinion to its prospective readers of its value to the discipline. You may briefly summarize the content of the book but this should not comprise the bulk of your review.

  • A good review is critical, but critical does not necessarily mean negative. Minor errors, factual or typographical, can be pointed out but should not be dwelt on unless you feel they compromise the validity of the work as a whole.

Review structure:

This is a suggested format for your review based on common practice, but you should always check your instructor's specific instructions!

  • Your review should begin with the book's citation written in Chicago style. For help with this see the "Write and Cite" tab to the left.

  • Introduction: include the author's qualifications and viewpoint, the purpose of the book and the theme or central argument of your review.

  • Critical summary: include the thesis of the book and a concise summary of its contents, indicating how the thesis is developed (use examples.) What evidence does the author use to support his/her thesis?

  • Critique: include your observations about the book, pointing out its strengths and weaknesses, as well as how it fits into the wider literature. How well did the author achieve the book's objectives? Discuss any assumptions or evident omissions in the book, the clarity and coherence of the author's argument, and the strength or the value of the evidence raised. Describe and critique the organization of the book, the author's writing style (word choice, paragraph structure, wit, readability, length etc.) and use of aids (photographs, charts, tables, figures, etc.) Discuss how this book contributes to your understanding of the subject. Do you think the author's thesis is valid? Why or why not?

  • Conclusion:  tie together issues raised in your review and provide a concise comment on the book. Would you recommend the book to others?

  • Proofread! Ensure that your review is grammatically and stylistically correct and that your arguments flow logically.

Examples and Further Help:

Check the library catalogue for books on these subjects