Assignment
Submit a critical review of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by Richards & O'Brien. This critique must be 1,250-2,500 words and follow current Turabian format. Submit your critique as an attached .doc or .docx file via the Blackboard link.
Elements of a Book Critique
A critique is more than a summary of the book, article, and/or chapter being reviewed. The emphasis is on a discussion and evaluation of the topic, not just a description. Further, remember that critical is not necessarily synonymous with bad or unfavorable. Critical reviews may be positive, negative, or a combination of both. A critique usually consists of 3 elements:
1. Summary
2. Analysis
3. Conclusion
Summary
• Summarize the issue/topic addressed. Explain why the author(s) think the issue/topic is important.
• Briefly highlight the major themes (or sub-topics) being explored.
Analysis
This section should critically analyze and evaluate the work being reviewed. Some of the questions you may want to consider in this part are:
• What is the point of view of the author(s)? What perspective (ideological, philosophical) do they bring to the work? Is their perspective implicit (gleaned from reading "between the lines") or explicit (openly stated)?
• What kind of evidence do they bring to support their viewpoint? Is it adequate?
• How clear is the argument? Does it flow logically? Are there gaps, inconsistencies, or contradictions in the discussion or argument?
Support your response with examples from the work itself and from your knowledge of the issue/topic. Be sure to go beyond stating your opinion; it is not enough to say you agree or disagree with the author's point of view-substantiate your claims.
Conclusion
• Of what value is the article/book/chapter? What does it add (if anything) to the discourse?
• Who would find the piece helpful and why?
Mechanics
You need not divide your review into 3 sections unless you choose to do so. You may weave the components into a narrative. Avoid obsessing over the minutiae. For format questions, see guidelines posted for this class in the Additional Information folder within Blackboard or contact your instructor.