A critical analysis on Jon Meacham’s His Truth is Marching On

Instructions

Objective: Submit a critical analysis on Jon Meacham’s His Truth is Marching On. The purpose of your paper is NOT to summarize the entire book from chapter one to conclusion.

Your objective is to identify the author s purpose in writing this book and the themes he utilizes to support his position.

Critical Book Review Guidelines

The introductory paragraph of you book review conveys the main point (thesis) of the book that you are reviewing. The body paragraphs should address the themes (3) utilized by the author to support his thesis. Finally, the book review should end with a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the book and a brief conclusion that sums up the key elements of your evaluation of the book you are reviewing.

Introduction/Thesis Description: This is the main piece of information that the introduction of any good review needs to convey viz. the main point that the work under examination is trying to make. You need not explain how the point is being made as that’s a matter for the analytical summary Rather you’re trying to give your reader the punch line of the work. So, you want to write a brief synopsis of the thesis that should be no more than a short paragraph. The best introductory paragraphs will indicate in some way the possible broader significance of the thesis (an author will almost always give you clues as to what this is so you needn’t make it up). You must also include a direct quote from the book that supports the thesis*

Analytical Summary (body paragraphs – no more than 3): These paragraphs show the reader how the argument in a piece of historical writing works. This means you have to do more than just summarize. You have to identify the major points the piece you are evaluating is making and then show how the author tries to make those points. Also you must do this without expressing your opinion. Each body paragraph must include a direct quote from the book that supports the point you are making in that paragraph*.

Critique (one paragraph): In the critique you are basically deciding whether or not the author achieved the goals that you examined in the analytical summary. You SHOULD NOT comment on style, readability, whether you “liked” the book or article or whether it suited your moral or other personal inclinations. Rather you should decide 1) if the author’s argument flowed logically from step to step; 2) whether the author supported the argument with enough evidence and 3) whether the author drew conclusions that were related to the argument and supported by his her sources.

. The paragraph should contain specific examples from the text you are evaluating to illustrate the critical points you are making

Conclusion: Here you just want to sum up your findings with regard to book you reviewed. The paragraph should be brief.

Note:

*There are 3 parts to including a quote in your paper:

1. Introduce the quote

2. Add the quote to your essay

3. Explain the quote

Example: William Govern (fictious author) argues that racism played a pivotal role. He observes how, “include quote” (page. 23). His statement illustrates the blending of racial rhetoric with day-to-day decision-making at the highest levels.

Any direct quotes from the book must utilize quotation marks and reference the page at the end of the quote.

Points will be deducted if quotations are not included as described above

The entire third page of your analysis must be complete to fulfill the 3-5 page requirements (a title page. bibliography and or cited reference(s) do not count toward the 3 page minimum) Points will be deducted if the three page requirement is not met.