Review Assignment

Sears, A. & Cairns, J. 2015. A Good Book, In Theory: Making Sense Through Inquiry, third edition, University of Toronto Press

Please Read Chapters 5 & 6, then follow the Review Guidelines

(Review Guidelines For Sears & Cairns, A Good Book, In Theory )

To read critically is to make judgments about how a text is argued. This is a highly reflective skill requiring you to “stand back” and gain some distance from the text you are reading. You might have to read a text through once to get a basic grasp of content before you launch into intensive critical reading. Don’t just look for isolated facts and examples, no matter how interesting they may be. Look for the large patterns that give purpose, order, and meaning to the examples used by the author(s). The opening sentences of paragraphs can be important to this task. THE KEY IS THIS: Read looking for ways of thinking about the subject matter. Don’t read looking only or primarily for information. When you are reading, highlighting, or taking notes, avoid extracting and compiling lists of evidence, lists of facts and examples. Avoid approaching a text by asking “What information can I get out of it?” Rather ask “How does this text work? How is it argued? How is the evidence (the facts, examples, etc.) used and interpreted? How does the text reach its conclusions? Note those places in a text where an author states assumptions, defines the concepts she/he uses and/or how she/he uses them, how she/he arrives at conclusions and explains her/his analysis.

1. What is(are) the topic(s) of each chapter? Determine the central claims or purpose of the chapter by describing what is covered. Also, note the thesis or thesis statement(s). Give specific page numbers where you locate specific points. Note and highlight the key terms and ideas in the chapter(s). Find definitions/usages for terms; that is, explain the term and/or idea and give specific examples. Don’t just provide a list, but rather note the terms and include an example in your notation. For the “Preface” provide a summary and ignore 2 and 3 below.

2. Identify the conclusion or goal of the chapter(s)? If you quote directly from a source, use the quotation critically. This means that you should not substitute the quotation for your own articulation of a point. Rather, introduce the quotation by laying out the judgments you are making about it, and the reasons why you are using it. Often a quotation is followed by some further analysis.

3. Respond to the “thinking points” presented in the chapter. (At least one for each chapter). Note that a list of these is found on the page (vii.) after the contents. Respond to the prompt or the questions in the “thinking point;” you may use personal examples or anecdotes when applicable. When you begin to think about how you might respond to a portion of a text – where you find a thinking point or an argument – try to remain aware of how this “thinking point” fits into the argument made in the text from which it is taken. Whenever possible, apply this to an experience in your life. If there is no “thinking point,” you may omit this item.

Conclude your submission with a complete bibliographic reference to the text.

Attachments are CH5 AND CH6 as screenshots FROM THE BOOK

Also, I have attached the Grading Rubric