Book name The Ends of The Earth: A Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy ‐ Robert D. KaplanThe Ends of The Earth: A Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy
BRAE/NR 349 – Book Review/Reflection
Students will engage in a written report based on an approved water- or sustainability-related book.
Each student will get access to and work independently on an assigned book. The list of possible books
is included in the assignment description and the syllabus. See Canvas or syllabus for list of approved
books.
Write a review/reflection of the book you chose to read. Make sure your review goes beyond
summarizing the book.
this course and your understanding of sustainability as it pertains to water resources.
following questions as starting points for your reflection. (You do not need to answer each question
systematically; feel free to address other questions/ideas in the paper.)
•
water sustainability?
•
•
•
•
Important Notes – All Projects
1.
primary assignment topic: what you learned from this book and how it contributed to your
understanding of sustainability as it pertains to water resources.
2.
their learning that makes a case for what was or was not learned. In other words, the grader should
be able to tell that this paper is yours, and not a stock book review you downloaded.
3.
details relevant to your argument assuming that I (your teacher) will fill them in myself. At the same
time, do not include details that even an average eighth-grader would know (e.g., “Water is a
limited resource”) just to fill space on the page.
Odds and Ends – Papers
1.
(e.g., Times New Roman or Calibri).
word/page limits exclude bibliography. Paragraphs should be indented, and there should be no
space between them.
2.
reader directly (e.g., “You will see…”). Note: This is different than your discussion posts!
3.
4.
paper should be clear, obvious, and located in the introduction. You must have a discernible thesis.
Your paper must then have clear organization that follows that trajectory and makes sense.
Additionally, the reader should know what book you are discussing within your first paragraph.
5.
https://writingandlearning.calpoly.edu/
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1
Answer 1: This is a reflection paper, so yes, you should. This paper cannot be a book summary report
that you can find online; it needs to incorporate your own learning, your own ideas, and your own
synthesis with information from this course and your life. It needs to be apparent that you read the
book (the whole book and yes, we will be able to tell if you didn’t), and you need to employ critical
thinking to articulate what you learned from it. However, also keep in mind that this is
a formal reflection paper; use proper spelling, grammar, structure, and style.
Question 2
Answer 2: Yes, but it is not required and may detract from your paper. See “Important Notes,” item 1.
Question 3
Answer 3: If the only sources you use are the book and your brain, then no. Just make sure you identify
the book and author on the first page of your paper. If you use outside sources then yes, in-text citations
and a references page would be required. You can use whatever reference style you are most
comfortable with, as long as you use it correctly and consistently (don’t just make one up).
Question 4
Answer 4: No. We don’t grade or review drafts. We recommend that you use the Cal Poly Writing
Center (https://writingandlearning.calpoly.eduLinks to an external site.
feedback on your writing.
Question 5: I started reading a different book than the one I signed up for at the beginning of the
quarter. Can I switch books?
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|